The VISES of Garage Journal

[Dan8906]

Looking good there, Dan

As you probably already know, that model Craftsman was made in the USA by Columbian.

Most of the Craftsman vises in that category I remember as being red. But as many on these pages say...”your vise, your color”

Whether it’s a user or a shelf queen, it’s your eyes that will be looking at it, not ours. I've seen pink vises, bright purple, camouflage, chrome, racing stripes, college colors, favorite sports team colors, weird decals... the list goes on.

Vises aren’t too hard to repaint so don’t lose any sleep worrying about what’s correct. I once rehabbed a Wilton Tradesman and painted it Sunrise red to closely match SnapOn tool boxes. It came out nice if I say so myself. I found a buyer but when he saw the vise he said it was too bright. To save the deal, I threw in a new can of Rustoleum Verde Green. He was very happy and I put $200 in my wallet.

Huh the paint looked original and it was a blueish color. I suppose it could have been re painted, though. I did know it’s made by columbian from the 506 numbering, it’s such a cool little vise! I didn’t know it was made for craftsman, It only says sears on it. Ah man, who knew learning about the history of these vises would be so interesting!!!

 

[Shiftless]

Dan:
To be more precise, I should have said that Columbian made the vise and put the Sears lettering on it to be sold in the Sears stores. Craftsman was the main tool brand of Sears, but all of their tools were not marked Craftsman.

After a minute or 2 of searching google images, I found a Sears vise like yours that looks to be grayish blue. Who knows if this is an original or has been repainted at some point.

 

[Dan8906]

Dan:
To be more precise, I should have said that Columbian made the vise and put the Sears lettering on it to be sold in the Sears stores. Craftsman was the main tool brand of Sears, but all of their tools were not marked Craftsman.

After a minute or 2 of searching google images, I found a Sears vise like yours that looks to be grayish blue. Who knows if this is an original or has been repainted at some point.

Here is one I found which is pretty much exactly what this one had one it.

 

[Shiftless]

Here is one I found which is pretty much exactly what this one had one it.

That looks mostly green on my screen.

 

[Vise]

Awesome! Thanks!

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

I'm no expert on FPUs, but there are some non-Polish made FPU knock offs. Others here may know more about what to look for. I only mention it because in one of the pics you sent, it looks like under the paint there is a big "5," which would not be present on an original FPU. They are cool vises for sure.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Need help IDing this. Any ideas?

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

not-required:

The pictures below are of a Polish FPU vise manufactured by Bison-Bial.
I'm skeptical that your vise is a FPU, as I've seen Asian knock-offs that are visually close.

Here're some points to look at that I've personally found:
`An FPU vise has the "FPU" logo cast on the side of the front jaw.
`An FPU vise will have POLAND stamped somewhere on the vise. I've seen an Indian version with INDIA stamped on its retainer.
` An FPU will have small round recesses cast in the moving body at the set screws that adjust the gib.
` An FPU will have PJWK (with a jaw size) stamped on the nut. Yours should have 125 stamped there.
` Slotted screws are used to retain the nut. Not set screws / lock nuts.
` An FPU should have a stamp that consists of a triangle with a 1 in the middle, somewhere on the vise.
` Bison-Bial manufactured vises usually have a date code stamped on top of the front jaw tower. I've seen some without the stamp.
` You will see visual differences in the body castings.

I'm a huge fan of Bison-Bial & FPU vises. I've talked to guys who have the FPU knock-offs, and they are satisfied with the performance. IMO: Regardless of the origin of your vise, it's worth restoring and putting to work. If you restore it, I hope you will share the details with pictures.

On a side note: Bison-Bial also made FPU vises that were branded "Hi-Test" and Rapid. Larger FPU vise moving bodies tend to break at the left, front side near the gib screw. This is from operator abuse when an oversized workpiece is clamped in, and the handle is hammered on.

Cheers

 

[Shiftless]

Yes,
I have seen in person a large FPU knockoff vise with a broken piece right there in the front left corner. I could have bought it for $50, maybe even less, but I passed after seeing that big chunk broken out.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Yes,
I have seen in person a large FPU knockoff vise with a broken piece right there in the front left corner. I could have bought it for $50, maybe even less, but I passed after seeing that big chunk broken out.

Shift:

Unfortunately, I haven't found a 125mm or 150mm FPU vise in my price range, that's not broken or welded. I was bidding on the vise in the last picture. it went for $350. I stopped at $225 (far outside my limit).

 

[Eric827]

My first true Wilton Bullet restoration, although I previously rehabbed a Wilton Cadet. Bought it semi-locally on CraigsList a few weeks ago. When I got it, it still had quite a bit of the original paint, including a scrap of the 5 year guarantee label, but it was pretty patchy. Also had to replace the jaws since one of the originals was broken at the screw location. The rest of it was in excellent shape. There is now a little bit of JB Weld filler added on the jaw towers just to smooth the bigger hammer marks. Top coat = Rustoleum Dark Hunter Green. Really happy with how it came out.
Specs: 9450S, Date stamped April 1951, 59 Lb., 4 1/2" Jaw, 3 7/8" Throat Depth, about 8 1/2" Opening (with 2 full turns engaged on the spindle thread).

Edit, after looking a little deeper at the big spreadsheet, maybe this one is better classified as a 9450S WE ? Not sure, lots of variations over the years.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

I know its pretty divided here on Wilton vises and I don't go out of my way to look for them because of the huge price they usually bring, but you just have to admire something like this! That green and gold on the classic wilton shape is outstanding!

 

[Smitty]

Eric
Wow, you did an amazing job on the Wilton. It really shows that you put a lot of time and effort into the restoration. I too wonder what the WE stands for, I have a couple with that same designation.

 

[Vise]

That green bullet looks great! I might need to paint a Hollands that color, which looks close to the original factory green.

Here’s a cool little 2.5” jaw Erie Took Works vise I picked up. A couple casting flaws, but a nice and tight little vise.






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Noworries]

So I am walking to the car from the liquor store yesterday...a guy says to me "want a vise" and shows me this thing... I say "well, I suppose that depends on how much you want for it" he says "free" I just need it gone... I say "I will take it". He even loaded it into my trunk!! The best part is as I walked around to unlock my trunk I find money all over the place.. 54 bucks total. Christ I love Jim Beam... It wasn't until I got home that I notices it was missing a chunk out of the base...

 

[Vise]

So I am walking to the car from the liquor store yesterday...a guy says to me "want a vise" and shows me this thing... I say "well, I suppose that depends on how much you want for it" he says "free" I just need it gone... I say "I will take it". He even loaded it into my trunk!! The best part is as I walked around to unlock my trunk I find money all over the place.. 54 bucks total. Christ I love Jim Beam... It wasn't until I got home that I notices it was missing a chunk out of the base...

Sounds like that vise was used in the commission of a felony. Most likely a burglary.

 

[Noworries]

Sounds like that vise was used in the commission of a felony. Most likely a burglary.

LOL...well ok then, probably how it got to be broken...

 

[Shiftless]

That green bullet looks great! I might need to paint a Hollands that color, which looks close to the original factory green.

Vise:
For your comparison:
Here is a Hollands (top shelf) with what I believe to be original paint. Below it is a Morgan that I painted the same Dark Hunter Green as the very nice looking green bullet of Eric’s.

 

[KMScott]

Here is a close color choice I used on this Parker. The The paint is Krylon Satin Italian Olive. Like all my Parker restores I make new jaws and have to show them off. Even had to make a front collar.

Eric827, I added your vise to the spreadsheet and I know I need to start updating the Wilton's. For some reason I have not been working on the Wilton's. They are good vises but not a big fan I guess. Shucks I got a cabinet full of Wilton's but enjoy working on the other models. Nice job Eric on your 9450-WE.

 

[paulsomlo]

Wilton 5" Mechanic's vise, a $20 garage sale find. The original jaws were beat up and warped, so I milled some up out of aluminum I had laying around. Added a roller thrust bearing and turned a shim to take up most of the backlash. New handle out of 4140, turned some end caps attached with roll pins, and added orings. Drilled and tapped 1/4-20 for the "Parker speed handle" mod, spring, brass slug, and set screw - when life returns to normal, I'll get a shorter set screw from the hardware store. No paint, I'll just wipe it down with WD40, rust is not really an issue here. The nameplate didn't quite survive the cleanup.

 

[va.grouseman]

An awsome deal for 20 bucks.

 

[Shiftless]

Kevin:
I really like the Italian Olive on that Parker and needless to say, those custom made jaws with the heat treated colorizing look fantastic. Another great restoration!

paulsomlo:
You did a lot of custom work on your $20 Wilton to make it better than new. Excellent mods. If you talk to the right guy at Wilton, they might send you a stick on thin metal label.


.

 

[Josh C]

Hey there folks. With my newfound time in the shop I have been able to get a tiny little fraction of my overflowing mountain of projects, the different inventory items needing some type of attention and the tools/materials used on said projects/items straightened up. Although I have intentions of continuing the organization and cleaning but thought that I should probably snap a few pictures just in case the tornado returns. A family photo would be fun to have but with two main shop areas they are spread out a bit so for now they are broken down a little bit. Mostly Reeds with a few Wilton’s and Columbians destined for reselling, several Stanley clampers, and a couple of others lurking around. Josh

 

[Shiftless]

Welcome to our crazy corner of GJ, Josh C
It looks like you’ve got more than a few great old vises scattered about. Thanks for posting those pics and we all look forward to following your progress of organizing them and seeing more detail about what you do with them.

 

[Smitty]

Josh C
You’ve really got some first quality vintage iron there. Great collection.

 

[Dan8906]

My neighbor came strolling over as I was painting that craftsman vise I’m working on. And says “I have an old rusty one of those things in my back yard. Do you want it?” So of course I said yes. He’s going to bring it over tomorrow, wonder what I’m going to be getting!

 

[sgtgeo]

Some I’ve refurbed lately

 

[Ryan_340]

Picked up this Prentiss No. 20 this morning. Anybody know if the handle for the swivel base lock was added?

 

[Smitty]

The round plunger pin is original. The flat bar is not.

 

[mikeswrenches]

If the spring in your plunger is as stout as the one my vise has, you’ll be glad it’s on there.

 

[va.grouseman]

Yea, Smitty's right, that thing is not original but it's a darn good idea.---I've got a #20 that I just can pull up the plunger on.---Think I'll fabricate a similar devise for mine.---Looks like a simple fix.

 

[Dan8906]

Here’s the craftsman 506-51770 I’ve been working on, all finished up.

 

[davethorik]

My back hurts. Lol
But on the bright side, its bc i was wrestling this pig (Barrett).
Drilled the broken swivel lock.
Got it apart.

Whadya think?

 

[Smitty]

I scored this vintage Craftsman roll away today.


Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Shiftless]

Uhh...

 

[Smitty]

Umm...you must mean the hobby vise. Yeah that kind of ruined the whole shot.

 

[Outlawmws]

Double score for the all drawers roller! but you **** 2X...

 

[Smitty]

Outlaw, thanks I never get tired of hearing that. The good news is that I’m extremely cautious venturing outdoors these bays. The bad news is they were all about social distancing as well, they wouldn’t help me load it.


Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[RTM]

I scored this vintage Craftsman roll away today.

Nice drive by gloat!

 

[Smitty]

Here’s a few better pics of the baby bullet.


Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Old Radar]

Off Topic:

Nice sunny day there in So Cal! It's been rainy for the last three days here in San Antonio.

 

[Shiftless]

Smitty:
It’s interesting how Wilton apparently never changed the molds for the baby bullets to read Schiller Park when they moved back around 1957. They did for the bigger bullets. Your latest baby acquisition shows a date of 1967. That’s 10 years after the move. What’s the prevailing theory? They made so few of the babies that they didn’t bother changing the location on the molds?