The VISES of Garage Journal

[Smitty]

I bought this old grinder to get at the 250 lb cast iron stand. While I was picking it up I saw a Wilton 800 sitting in the corner of his shop. I quickly popped my eyes back in my head and struck a deal with the seller. The 8” Wilton is in beautiful condition and the grinder turned out to be better than expected.


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[MrSurly]

I bought this old grinder to get at the 250 lb cast iron stand. While I was picking it up I saw a Wilton 800 sitting in the corner of his shop. I quickly popped my eyes back in my head and struck a deal with the seller. The 8” Wilton is in beautiful condition and the grinder turned out to be better than expected.


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You ****!!!!!


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[Smitty]

Thanks, I appreciate it.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Smitty, you are a vise magnet! Was the stand for the Wilton 800 bolted to the shop floor? With the little base it sure looks like it could get tippy. I wouldn't wanna be around it when it started coming over. At least, not these days in my dotage.

 

[Shiftless]

Smitty scores again!

That grinder is a BEAST and so is the 8 inch bullet vise.

.

 

[Nopd9494]

Ok I got the vise bug....reed 106, Starrett Athol 925, Starrett 924, Colombian d55, rock island 231 and my newest purchase a Reed 105 which I will be cleaning up soon. I just got started hope to get more soon.

 

[Smitty]

Smitty, you are a vise magnet! Was the stand for the Wilton 800 bolted to the shop floor? With the little base it sure looks like it could get tippy. I wouldn't wanna be around it when it started coming over. At least, not these days in my dotage.

Tex, it’s definitely a tippy stand. I’m being super careful with it right now. I’ll probably weld a 1” plate base to it.

 

[Smitty]

Smitty scores again!

That grinder is a BEAST and so is the 8 inch bullet vise.

.

Thanks shift, I feel blessed to find another 8” Wilton. The grinder is massive, I would put it in the 450-500 lb range. I originally bought it to get to the stand but now I’m not so sure. One thing I will say is that the grinder is not original to the stand but it’s a great pairing. The grinder is an old Hobart.

 

[Smitty]

Shift
Here’s a pic of the badge from the grinder and some specs I found on the stand.


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[Smitty]

The stand has a pretty thick top plate on it and it’s super sturdy. It would make a great Big vise stand.

 

[3baygarage]

Interesting. Mine also has the crinkle paint finish but with 1-1/8" jaws. I wonder who made these vises? But it looks like yours has got a swivel jaw?! Wow! I'm envious and understand the tears.

Edit: Never mind. It doesn't appears yours has a swivel jaw. Saw that "button" and thought it was a pin. Wondering if these were made by the same manufacturer?

Would be neat if it had the swivel.

3Bay, is the button on top a quick release, or a hardened anvil head?

It’s an extension of the anvil. It doesn't seem removable either.

Boley. They have made this style of little watch and jewelry vises (vices...) for decades.

Is Boley actually the mfr.? A lot of these little jeweler type vises look like the Boley style but aren’t marked.

 

[steaks&anvils]

Is Boley actually the mfr.? A lot of these little jeweler type vises look like the Boley style but aren’t marked.

Edit correction: I think that over the years, Boley has supplied many "jewelry tool" and "watch tool" companies with small vises that were sold as house brands (Dixon comes to mind). Didn't the small "stanley" clamp on vises get sold that way?

So yes, IMHO, I think the majority of these small vises are Boley. Now they are mostly just low end knock offs.

Edit: I went back through a bunch of my jewelry making books (I have a lot of these). The few that are by European authors have vises that are of the Boley or Leinen style but are not marked as to the maker. I did a few internet searches too and found the same thing.

I think you are more correct than I am: lots of makers of this style and mostly unmarked.

 

[wrenchguy]

The stand has a pretty thick top plate on it and it’s super sturdy. It would make a great Big vise stand.

You may have too, motor is 440v, 3ph, 50hz. When was this country or Canada 50 cycle? Europe is 50 cycle, Just asking??
Neat tag though!

 

[tool_scrounge]

You may have too, motor is 440v, 3ph, 50hz. When was this country or Canada 50 cycle? Europe is 50 cycle, Just asking??
Neat tag though!

Los Angeles, CA before October 27, 1948 was 50 Hz.

 

[Smitty]

Somebody mentioned that I’d need a phase converter and a buck boost transformer.

 

[Shiftless]

Somebody mentioned that I’d need a phase converter and a buck boost transformer.

Yes, you will face several expensive challenges getting that monster spinning once again. Do you already have a decent grinder? Many grinders are now idle while their owners use newer, safer tools like one inch belt sanders.
That set up looks SO COOL though. It would be quite a conversation piece sitting out in the open in your shop. Even if it wasn’t actually operable. Maybe just clean it up and polish a few of the bits and pieces.

 

[RBarnes]

I bought this old grinder to get at the 250 lb cast iron stand. While I was picking it up I saw a Wilton 800 sitting in the corner of his shop. I quickly popped my eyes back in my head and struck a deal with the seller. The 8” Wilton is in beautiful condition and the grinder turned out to be better than expected.


Was wondering what the date code was on the 800 Wilton bullet vise?

 

[sgtgeo]

Every Wilton brochure and catalog I own, from (1945-1974) lists the "baby" Wilton as a 20N or 20S. Anyone else with Wilton catalogs should be able to verify this.

I'm not sure what you're implying?

If no one has asked yet. I’d like some info about the weatherproof model

 

[kai96]

my freshly refurbed work vise

 

[kai96]

my rescued wilton vise. Rescued it from an abusive relationship.
Will use the base for another wilton.
This one was dated 6/47 .

 

[Shiftless]

kai96:
We can’t see your pics.

Edit: Now we can

 

[wrenchguy]

Los Angeles, CA before October 27, 1948 was 50 Hz.

Thanks! Kinda explains its location where smitty found it.

 

[kai96]

 

[Old Radar]

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/album.php?albumid=7555&pictureid=106473

I don't know how to display an album but at least now people can hit the link to see your photos.

 

[Smitty]

Shift, the grinder does have a wow factor just sitting there. I’ll probable just let it be for now.

Rbarnes, here’s the date stamp for the 800.


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[FezBaron]

Hi all, greetings from New Zealand.

I have been reading on Garage Journal for quite some time, and thought it would be good to finally join the discussion. I have accumulated a few vintage vices, some of which I have restored to their former glory for use in my garage.

I bought a rusty old Reed 107 a while ago; one of only two Reed vices that I have ever come across in my part of the world. I read somewhere that these are cast from an iron and steel mix (semi-steel), not just the usual grey iron.

Can anyone confirm this?

 

[akasrick]

Hi all, greetings from New Zealand.

I have been reading on Garage Journal for quite some time, and thought it would be good to finally join the discussion. I have accumulated a few vintage vices, some of which I have restored to their former glory for use in my garage.

I bought a rusty old Reed 107 a while ago; one of only two Reed vices that I have ever come across in my part of the world. I read somewhere that these are cast from an iron and steel mix (semi-steel), not just the usual grey iron.

Can anyone confirm this?

From the spreadsheet:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1959289&postcount=3306

Welcome aboard.

akasrick

 

[Craftfab]

Nice find on the 8”. Just saw black smith tools list one on IG for sale at $1,850 and it’s already marked sold.

I bought this old grinder to get at the 250 lb cast iron stand. While I was picking it up I saw a Wilton 800 sitting in the corner of his shop. I quickly popped my eyes back in my head and struck a deal with the seller. The 8” Wilton is in beautiful condition and the grinder turned out to be better than expected.




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[Smitty]

Thanks Craftfab, prices for these have gone through the roof. I’ll be hanging on to this one for a while, I already have a swivel base for it.


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[txlonghorn1989]

I placed a WTB ad in the Wanted section and immediately got 3 replies from scammers.

I'm seeking suggestions on where I can post a WTB ad in hopes of finding a swivel base for my 2" Wilton baby bullet? Thanks!

Also, is there another size like the 2.5" vise that is compatible with the 2" swivel base?

 

[Shiftless]

Look what just arrived in the mail!

A Franklin #2 apparently still with a bit of its original paint.

2 inch wide jaws and weighing in at a bit over 5 1/2 pounds.

BTW...Does anybody know if these vises were made by the HH Franklin Co.? Locations in New York State seem to match closely.
Here is the wiki page for starters.


.

 

[davethorik]

Look what just arrived in the mail!

A Franklin #2 apparently still with a bit of its original paint.

2 inch wide jaws and weighing in at a bit over 5 1/2 pounds.

BTW...Does anybody know if these vises were made by the HH Franklin Co.? Locations in New York State seem to match closely.
Here is the wiki page for starters.


.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8564524&postcount=1538

 

[Shiftless]

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8564524&postcount=1538

Dave:
Thanks for the reminder and a link to that posting from Fierljeppen, a reliable authority on just about anything.

 

[Shiftless]

Opposite side photo

 

[KMScott]

I placed a WTB ad in the Wanted section and immediately got 3 replies from scammers.

I'm seeking suggestions on where I can post a WTB ad in hopes of finding a swivel base for my 2" Wilton baby bullet? Thanks!

Also, is there another size like the 2.5" vise that is compatible with the 2" swivel base?

Hey Texas. I have built baby bases before since I could not find any either. I added a drawing and happy to share the geometry if you can make them your self. I also added a baby spindle assembly that you can buy the acme thread from McMastar Carr for others. Good luck on your search or build.

 

[FezBaron]

From the spreadsheet:

Welcome aboard.

akasrick

Thanks!

 

[madison069]

So I picked this wilton wood vise and its got some problems. So digging into it I suspect its this nut that is worn out and causing my issues of not closing properly. I can force it close but it will not screw close. Any one knows where I can get a new one?

All I have is wilton w-6-63, and Google wasn't turning up a source for parts. So I suspect I might not have the right model numbers.

 

[Shiftless]

Looks to me like it might be a Quick Release model.
Show a picture of the front plate.

Clean it up and lubricate the moving parts and see if it works properly.

Here is a quote describing the directions for the new model Wilton QR vise.

“The big advantage to the Wilton vice over other vices is the nifty quick release function, you just have to turn the handle one turn to the left and the front jaw will pull all the way out. When you're ready for the next item to be put it the jaws, just push the jaws in right up to the object and give the handle a couple of turns and it's tight. No lever to hold down nor turning the handle 40 times....it's a great time saver“

 

[madison069]

Looks to me like it might be a Quick Release model.
Show a picture of the front plate.

Clean it up and lubricate the moving parts and see if it works properly.

Here is a quote describing the directions for the new model Wilton QR vise.

“The big advantage to the Wilton vice over other vices is the nifty quick release function, you just have to turn the handle one turn to the left and the front jaw will pull all the way out. When you're ready for the next item to be put it the jaws, just push the jaws in right up to the object and give the handle a couple of turns and it's tight. No lever to hold down nor turning the handle 40 times....it's a great time saver“

Maybe I'm missing the quick lever but I don't see how it could work.

 

[Shiftless]

Maybe I'm missing the quick lever but I don't see how it could work.

I’m not very familiar with quick release vises so let’s wait until an expert chimes in. I saw some vises that look just like yours but had a 9 instead of a 6 in the model number. Those were not quick release models. Like you said, I too couldn’t find an exact reference or picture of the nut on the internet.
My only woodworking vise is an Abernathy and that is Quick Release roller nut model. Long ago I had a Wilton that looked exactly like yours and it was NOT a quick release model. But I have no record of the model number for reference.