leftyz
Well-known member
Jeebus.....
Mine in action
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Reemo on Practical Machinist said:Heres why NOT to buy a "new" Wilton.
Broke after its 3rd use!
This was purchased at Lowes. Horrifying quality. All pot metal. Rust UNDER the blue finish.
Note the shrink wrap still on the anvil section. It was brand new when it broke holding only a small car part.
Looks like the vise is hollow ???

Yeah, exactly.
Where's the cast iron?![]()
lol yes !?!?
hollow cast iron vise = faulty design
For your viewing pleasure, a mortally wounded Chinese Wilton:
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45099362@N02/4728770526/" title="Vise1 by BanjoSavesTheDay, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1419/4728770526_afa30d3536_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="Vise1" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45099362@N02/4728127439/" title="VIse4 by BanjoSavesTheDay, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1165/4728127439_4cd0602672_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="VIse4" /></a>
After seeing yours, I'm pretty certain Columbian made my Ridgid vise:
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=605095&postcount=2
I'm 99% sure you are right. The Ridgid I gave A_Pmech was made uncannily like a Columbian.
I picked up this Wilton for $40.00 at the flea market a couple of weeks ago and had the paint sandblasted and then repainted it and cleaned it up. I'm looking for some jaws though but have a hard time paying $55.00 for 4 inch jaws when the vise only cost $40.00
Before:
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/n4DWoiVzNsKWtacgZML42fJY3BeFkdtv2PAhWbCPzrg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gyA2MJjiLlg/TBlidJKxH5I/AAAAAAAAAbc/QKRvdLraczQ/s800/IMG_4540.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mike.4324/Vise02?authkey=Gv1sRgCNLnubvTwpiSaQ&feat=embedwebsite">vise</a></td></tr></table>
After:
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/50l_odxNIn_IF9O2nHxhFfJY3BeFkdtv2PAhWbCPzrg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gyA2MJjiLlg/TCfQIkPrayI/AAAAAAAAAcI/gAaQdYbA7Ek/s800/IMG_4556.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mike.4324/Vise02?authkey=Gv1sRgCNLnubvTwpiSaQ&feat=embedwebsite">vise</a></td></tr></table>
How do you get the back plate off the Wilton bullet vise's? I see two pins one on each side, how do you drive them out and are they reusable, Thanks
How do you get the back plate off the Wilton bullet vise's? I see two pins one on each side, how do you drive them out and are they reusable, Thanks
Gentlemen,
Apologize for no pictures, however, I have three vises that I consider "mine" and only one bolted to a bench. Three Wiltons Actually. A 3.5" Machinist Vise bought new 3 years ago, an identical 6 or 7" Wilton Machinist Vise, owned by my dad, in need of degreasing and a paint job. Nearly forgot a USA made Wilton is "like" a wood vise on one side and you flip it over to find about a 3 or 4" set of jaws. This is NOT the Junk Chinese Wilton sold at lowes/HD and painted blue. It's gray, in 95% condition and will be mounted to one of my benches when the shop is ready...
THAT SAID, Why I made this post is the lack of Brockhaus Heuer German Forged Vises. I was going to buy a 4" with swivel in 06' until Samstag Sales increased the price by 60%. The ******* the phone gave me good pricing, said the vises were in stock and ready to ship. Could not find my credit card. Called back 9 minutes later but the "****" answered the phone, and you'll pick up on him quickly if you ever call, inflated the price and denied the preexisting deal. Figured what the hay, it was chickenshi*t, however, the euro was rising and I really liked the Forged Vise. Told him I wanted the 4" Vise, Swivel Base, and maybe an adjustable vise ram that goes under your bench when not in use. He came back with $1600 plus and could not guarantee the price unless I order right then... Told him "no thanks" and that I dealt with German Imports as a day job so the Euro Inflation was way out of line as I kept/keep an eye on the currency markets...
At any rate he had no personality and I have some price limits so I bought the Wilton for $330ish.
That said there needs to be another Brockhaus/Heuer Dealer out there. He is the only one I can find. Here are some pics...
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Great vise, I've used one but stateside sales ****...imho
Regards, Matt.
Chesapeake, Virginia

I have been handed down a made in England Record 6 inch bench vise.What is the purpose of the spring?
Thanks
scarrylarry
It's a "quick release" of sorts enabling you to quickly snug up the jaws.
http://www.misgroupinc.com/index.cfm?area=shop&action=detail&IID=7761
anybody ever used one of these? i have the ability to pick one of these up for a good price, but i have never seen one until i walked in to this guys shop, and while i was there i didnt get a good look at it, im guessing its usa made but it just has that chinawilton look, hopfuly someone has some info and testimony