Recent content by mpckd

Columbian used the tapered head machine screws in jaws for their M3 designation as well.

That's a decent price to pay for a keeper in that condition. I thought about buying it but don't have need for another 6". The seller updated his ad after it sold commenting on somebody who offered $150 that it sold for full price - that person had no shame!

Smitty, I have a Reed 206R where the meatball looks the same. I was told the meatball is cast onto the spindle. Something like the end of the spindle is threaded for grip and the meatball cast over it. Works fine in any case. Pic of mine are attached.

He said Sears listed the capacity at 7 3/4" and he's talking about putting a 6" on it. So I thought I'd let him know a 7" wheel exists. My grinder is rated at 7" and a 7" wire wheel rubs the guard until the outer wires break down.

boblikestools - You can get 7" wire wheels. I have a Craftsman 1/2 HP grinder and I ordered the wire wheel from Zoro. I had to get an arbor adapter from them too. Weiler makes both items.

I like it, that's something nobody would expect

That's definitely a Columbian-made vise. You can tell by the design of the third mounting lug on the base under the slide. My Columbian 608 was 172lb and was pretty easy to move in two pieces by removing the slide.

As long as we're on the topic of mis-identifying material of construction, has anyone else seen the aluminum Parker 973-A on eBay?

Here's a Columbian 608M3 I recently acquired. I replaced the mushroomed thrust washer with a needle roller thrust bearing and straightened the bends out of each handle in a press. I also added 7/8" rubber grommets to the screw handle to prevent pinch points and the clatter of it banging around...

va.grouseman - I agree. I'm thinking of making a pedestal stand with some 2" plate if I can find some inexpensive scrap. BeyondTools - thank you. They are quite large in person.

Long time lurker, first time poster. Bought a Columbian 608M3 at auction. Replaced the mushroomed thrust washer with a needle thrust washer and put rubber grommets on the screw handle. All the handles had a bend in them that I straightened in a press. Other than that it's in good shape but...