Saw this vise post hours after seeing a Ludell sander pic, so here is the manufacturer info from the latter.Found this vise with a bench on my local craigslist, the guy said he’d separate them and I could take it for $50. Can’t find much info on it or any like it but it’s in good shape and has removable jaws. It’s gonna get a clean up.
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
The VISES of Garage Journal
- Thread starter mjozefow
- Start date
txlonghorn1989
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2017
- Messages
- 2,786
I picked this Dunlap No 5244 vise with 3-1/2" jaws a couple of days ago. The previous owner who was probably in his 60s said it belonged to his father. Before and after clean up pics...
Last edited:
Fierljeppen
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2018
- Messages
- 1,159
Jackuars...The Wilton 2-inch "baby" vise has always been a no-20. From 1943, well into the 1980's, with the last version being the Schiller Park casting like yours.
Wilton catalogs claim that they made ten's of thousands of the Chicago casted "baby" vises for the WWII effort, which is believable. I haven't seen very many Schiller Park casted "baby" vises and my gut says there are only a few hundred or so out there.
So the bulk of all of the "baby" vises were cast while Wilton operated in Chicago and the surplus of those castings were brought over to the newer Schiller Park facility where they were machined, assembled and shipped as orders demanded. These Chicago casted vises have date-stamps all the way up to 1980, when a new casting was released in 1981, also with Chicago in the casting, go figure?
This only lasted for one year, before the Schiller Park casting appears on the date-stamps of (1982-1988). You'd think the Schiller Park "baby" vise would be worth more than the Chicago version, but at this point, it is not. The future may change, speculators should take notice.
Just so you're aware, the Wilton "baby" vise is considered a cult vise, which would make you a cult member.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
TX, that Dunlap looks pristine! most homeowners vises are thrashed!
Dang, Now I'm a cult member...
Dang, Now I'm a cult member...
Catcher1984
Well-known member
Picked up this milling vise but having a hard time finding the maker, does anyone have any idea?
It is cast iron with 7” Jaws about 22” length and the swivel base is about 9 inches across with indented graduations. Also weighs about 100 lbs maybe more.
It is cast iron with 7” Jaws about 22” length and the swivel base is about 9 inches across with indented graduations. Also weighs about 100 lbs maybe more.
Attachments
Nice first post !!vices can be very addictive
compunaut
Well-known member
And this Rock Island 150 sold @ local auction for $110 today. Two Wiltons ended up @ $260 & $310 
So I ended up with 3 dirty Kennedy tool boxes instead.
So I ended up with 3 dirty Kennedy tool boxes instead.
Great history… that is what drew me into loving these devices. Much appreciate the knowledge. Here is the date stamp that was asked for.Jackuars...The Wilton 2-inch "baby" vise has always been a no-20. From 1943, well into the 1980's, with the last version being the Schiller Park casting like yours.
Wilton catalogs claim that they made ten's of thousands of the Chicago casted "baby" vises for the WWII effort, which is believable. I haven't seen very many Schiller Park casted "baby" vises and my gut says there are only a few hundred or so out there.
So the bulk of all of the "baby" vises were cast while Wilton operated in Chicago and the surplus of those castings were brought over to the newer Schiller Park facility where they were machined, assembled and shipped as orders demanded. These Chicago casted vises have date-stamps all the way up to 1980, when a new casting was released in 1981, also with Chicago in the casting, go figure?
This only lasted for one year, before the Schiller Park casting appears on the date-stamps of (1982-1988). You'd think the Schiller Park "baby" vise would be worth more than the Chicago version, but at this point, it is not. The future may change, speculators should take notice.
Just so you're aware, the Wilton "baby" vise is considered a cult vise, which would make you a cult member.
Attachments
Shiftless
Well-known member
Another cult member here…
Here is one of mine
Here is one of mine
rickpaulos
Well-known member
Athol Mass Mach Co M066 seen for sale at a local Restore. $150 marked price. been repaired. but still interesting.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
All this cult talk makes me think of O Brother, Where Art Thou?:
What years is this gem?Another cult member here…
Here is one of mine
Bobioz1
Well-known member
Would like to offer my help to anyone looking to unburden themselves of that cult stigma.
Shiftless
Well-known member
Are you ready to unburden your wallet?
This one went for $700 plus shipping on that big auction site.
Last edited:
ViceRoy2030
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2021
- Messages
- 142
Bare metal, wire wheel and fluid film to preserve.
Are you ready to unburden your wallet?
This one went for $700 plus shipping on that big auction site.
The best part about finding the "baby wilton" was I used it everyday for months not knowing it was a unicorn. I didn't even dawn on me to look into it. It works so beautifully. I still use it and find it the best small vise i ever used. Riding the unicorn!!! Regardless of rareness, it is an amazing tool!
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Its not that the baby W is such a Unicorn, its that the demand far outstrips the supply. Lots on Eprey at any given time, but as more and more land in collections and stay off the market, it will seem like it before too much longer.
Catcher1984
Well-known member
Hey I’m pretty sure you’re the guy that bought my yost 204 vise haha what’s up man! I recognize that metal plate it’s attached to you.
Yes sir!! Love that vise too
Catcher1984
Well-known member
txlonghorn1989
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2017
- Messages
- 2,786
Have you checked seller autopts on ebay? He's a poster here, also as autopts. I happened to notice today that he has sold exactly what you're looking for. Was checking sold prices and didn't see if he has any still listed. Definitely worth checking.
I figured I’d put my bench building skills to the test with a couple of Wilton 800’s. The bench held up great, my back ….not so much.
Attachments
Last edited:
compunaut
Well-known member
I don't suppose an arbor press counts as a vise from this forum's standpoint? I picked up an old Dake Model 1-1/2 Ratchet Lever Arbor press (including a stand) at a low price yesterday. It's 3ton capacity and weighs around 150lb. 
However, it's seized up pretty solid, and the handle is broken off. Guess I'll try some PB Blaster (or similar) to try to loosen things up. Any suggestions?
However, it's seized up pretty solid, and the handle is broken off. Guess I'll try some PB Blaster (or similar) to try to loosen things up. Any suggestions?
CRSINMICH
Well-known member
It probably won't count as a vise but it might be worth several vises if it would stop people from using their vises as presses.
Last edited:
RTM
Well-known member
There is an arbor press thread
www.garagejournal.com
And you might get better luck poking through the vise repair thread.
www.garagejournal.com
Show us your arbor press!
I have one and wonder how many of us have them in our shops. I will post pictures of mine a soon as I can.
www.garagejournal.com
And you might get better luck poking through the vise repair thread.
VISE REPAIR 101 all vise repairs, lubricants, sources for parts and the tricks to fix
I'm starting this thread to help me because i'm going to restore quite a few vises and I've only paid to have that done or done some basic repairs so far in my 60 years. as with all tools different manufacturers all do things a bit different and some makers even do different things on their own...
www.garagejournal.com
Last year I picked up a vise that was my grandfather's. It has taken me a year to get it freed up. My 20 ton press couldn't budge it and I finally got it to move a little with a punch and BFH. After I got it to move I put it back in the press and slowly got it disassembled. I had to made a couple of new parts with my lathe and mill but it's back to being a usable vise.
I painted it this color because that's what I had and didn't want to to lock up again. I didn't want to paint the jaws but they were completely rusted as well. When it warms up I will probably take it back to bare metal and paint it blue or black. One jaw doesn't have any screws but the machining is tight enough it doesn't fall out. I may make a pair of aluminum jaws for it and fix the missing screws. I don't plan for this to be a beater vise because of the sentimental value.
I painted it this color because that's what I had and didn't want to to lock up again. I didn't want to paint the jaws but they were completely rusted as well. When it warms up I will probably take it back to bare metal and paint it blue or black. One jaw doesn't have any screws but the machining is tight enough it doesn't fall out. I may make a pair of aluminum jaws for it and fix the missing screws. I don't plan for this to be a beater vise because of the sentimental value.
Attachments
Very nice, show her some more love when you get the chance so Grampa will be with you and yours forever
General Geoff
Well-known member
My latest acquisition, a wee little Stanley Sweetheart #743. I bought it refurbished in this black & red paint scheme. I quite like it. 
Just picked up this Wilton 1780 today for $100. This looks to have seen very light use, teeth in the jaws are still mostly sharp. The Wilton badge is peeling back and the rear dust cap is missing. I looked but don’t see the cap itself listed as a replacement part from Wilton. Anyone possible have a part number or I’ll just try to call them about it. Now I’m going to have to build a bench worthy of this stout 8”er.
Attachments
va.grouseman
Well-known member
Jtuttle, that was an awesome purchase. ---That will last you a lifetime if you treat it right.
General Geoff
Well-known member
This is the biggest "YOU ****!" purchase of the year, if not the decade.
Today I fixed up my other grandfather's old vice. It's a Columbian 43 1/2. The jaws had seen better days so I made a new set out of aluminum. The anvil was in rough shape too so I took a little off on my mill. I'm planning on giving this vise to my dad for Christmas. Redoing this vise made me want to repaint my other vise quicker. I picked up paint to redo my Morgan and Wilton. The next rainy day I plan on fixing them up again.
Attachments
Shiftless
Well-known member
doug:
Great job on your grandpa’s old vise. I bet that will mean a lot more to your dad than just about anything else you could give him for Christmas.
jtuttle:
I‘ll second the “you ****” for that almost new 8 inch Tradesman for only $100
Great job on your grandpa’s old vise. I bet that will mean a lot more to your dad than just about anything else you could give him for Christmas.
jtuttle:
I‘ll second the “you ****” for that almost new 8 inch Tradesman for only $100
That is the goal, and possibly my kids lifetime as well!
LOL, thanks! Definitely one of my better finds in quite some time.This is the biggest "YOU ****!" purchase of the year, if not the decade.
genog
Well-known member
Bought this Hollands 53 1/2 a couple of months ago
Found it out in the Valley. The ole guy had some monsters in his shop. This was the smallest one that he had
He had a Reed 4c, and the biggest Wilton that I had ever seen on a stand.
Hollands Before:
It cleaned up nicely
Found it out in the Valley. The ole guy had some monsters in his shop. This was the smallest one that he had
He had a Reed 4c, and the biggest Wilton that I had ever seen on a stand.
Hollands Before:
It cleaned up nicely
I went ahead and repainted the Morgan vise again. I machined a new collar for it and the washer on the outside is almost rusted away. I believe I'm going to try and add a thrust washer and I should have almost no slop. The jaws cleaned up better than expected but I decided to order new jaws for it anyway. It ought to be a vise that'll last a lifetime. Once the thrust washer comes in I'll be done with the vise and then I'll have to decide where to put it.
While I was at it I repainted my Wilton 400HD with swivel base. I repainted it last year but the paint I used wasn't very durable and I do use this vise. I tried using some textured Krylon paint but it didn't want to come out of the can without running. I like the black look with white lettering.
While I was at it I repainted my Wilton 400HD with swivel base. I repainted it last year but the paint I used wasn't very durable and I do use this vise. I tried using some textured Krylon paint but it didn't want to come out of the can without running. I like the black look with white lettering.
