Why do folks get all hot and bothered over Wilton "Bullet" vises?

[m.d.hunter63@hotmail.]

Just curious, I have a couple a C1 and a 2:1/2 inch model, I really don't see the appeal. Now a Reed vise...that's a vise.

Mike

 

[OccupantRJ]

Same here. I bought a nice one for $75 at a flea market and got it exclusively to sell for $150 just because I knew it was desirable to others. I guess I am just a Columbian fan with the 5 in use in the shop. There is also one model of Wilton in there on a rollaround table but it is not a bullet.

 

[Cruzan80]

Because I can make lots of money off them? Sold a 2.5" for $400 within a day or two, and just sold a 400S for $275 (both were bought very significantly cheaper)

 

[seber]

The machinist vise is ductile iron making it far stronger than all but a few others. It also closes far more accurately than any competitive vise on the market. Now add the totally enclosed screw and you never need to worry about gumming up. It has one more advantage. The rotating base is notched so it locks solid.

 

[Ditchdigger]

The snap on branded Wilton bullet in my shop is the only vise I have ever used that regularly requires disassembly and cleaning to work properly. Grinder swarf if is its kryptonite. I've never had a vise get jammed up like it

 

[neophyte]

The school shop class I went to had a couple new Wilton machinist vises, and a couple older vises that might have been the heavier Parker or Prentiss vises. (I think Parker, but it gas been a while)
The Wilton vises were tight, and closed really accurately.
The Parker vises were sort of loose and sloppy in comparison, and the slide would wobble from side to side as it closed.
Part of the issue was likely how much older the Parker vise was, but The Wilton also seemed like it may have been machined way more accurately, likely because it would be way easier, and potentially cheaper, to run a boring head thru the body casting to create an accurate hole, and then to turn the round slide down accurately on a lathe fixture, rather than having to mille a rectangular slide, and then accurately broach the rectangular hole in the fixed jaw casting.
Technically, the rectangular slide might be stronger, if the materials were the same, although Wilton used Ductile iron which actually is stronger than older grey iron.
The older grey iron should have had better wear characteristics, but still the older vise was loose, meaning the machining wasn’t as accurate, or the vise had been opened and closed tens of thousands of times before the school shop got it.

 

[Cruzan80]

The machinist vise is ductile iron making it far stronger than all but a few others. It also closes far more accurately than any competitive vise on the market. Now add the totally enclosed screw and you never need to worry about gumming up. It has one more advantage. The rotating base is notched so it locks solid.

I will agree that if you are buying new for a shop, there are very few enclosed screw vises of this quality out there. If it is for hobby use, or buying used is an option, most of your points dont really hold up. Wilton doesnt have a "secret sauce" for ductile iron (seen more broken Wiltons than any other vintage "high-end" vise) or closing parallel (guessing what you meant by "accurately" was the jaws staying parallel/co-planar to each other).

For those not needing it to swivel (and realistically, how many times do you really pivot it), a Kurt will beat just about anything else (besides throat depth) out there.

 

[Cruzan80]

the vise had been opened and closed tens of thousands of times before the school shop got it.

My money is on this. It is amazing how destructive students can be (even without meaning to). Sometimes it is even boredom and them running it open/closed repeatedly, along with the delayed maintenance because of the lack of teacher prep time, can start to break stuff down.

Condition definitely plays a part in any machine functioning well.

 

[neophyte]

My money is on this. It is amazing how destructive students can be (even without meaning to). Sometimes it is even boredom and them running it open/closed repeatedly, along with the delayed maintenance because of the lack of teacher prep time, can start to break stuff down.

Condition definitely plays a part in any machine functioning well.

The Parker vise was a donation from somewhere or other.
If the students had “abused” the vise, there would have been chunks missing or other breakage.

 

[m.d.hunter63@hotmail.]

To me the accuracy argument is irrelevant. I
need it to close and hold. If I need an accurate vise I'll be a Kurt or Parlec, I ain't beating on parts in those.
Like one of the previous posters stated, aside from cheap imported vises, the most frequent vises I see are Wiltons with cracked stationary jaws, which by the way are hollow.

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

Forget the Wilton appeal.... what i don't understand is why so many hobbyists really think they need a vise over 100lbs... walk into any welding shop, heavy equipment repair, or auto shop and 90% of what you will find will be a 4" standard duty vise. The majority of the Wiltons i see in shops are the crappy ones with the square slides..

 

[Beerhippie]

Because all the cool kids have one?

I beat on my vises. No hollow-jaws for me.

 

[Cruzan80]

The Parker vise was a donation from somewhere or other.
If the students had “abused” the vise, there would have been chunks missing or other breakage.

I wasn't trying to say abused, but "well worn". Students are hard on equipment, even without taking abuse into it.

 

[m.d.hunter63@hotmail.]

55 Chevy...agree, I have a shop and a farm. Two 4 inch Reeds in the shop, two in the garage, my son Has a 5 inch in his forge.
And I have a 6 inch Reed sitting unused because it's cool, and still looking for a 7 and 8 incher

 

[MushCreek]

I have a Wilton machinist vise, and although it isn't a true bullet, it has a precise feel to it. When you put something in the jaws, you just snug it up and it will hold. I have a beater Craftsman that just seems sloppy and clunky. I also have a 200 lb. American Scale vise that's just too darn big. I need to sell that one. It was fun to restore, but it's taking up valuable bench space.

 

[dnschmidt]

It's a cult thing. Not much different than Snap-On.

 

[dr_clyde]

Are you legitimately asking or are you just trying to stir up some drama?

I like Wilton's machinist vises. I have a few and I use them daily.

Without a doubt the thing that is my favorite about Wilton vises is how precise and smooth they work. If I move that handle, the jaw moves. There is very little lash in the screw. Almost every other "high end" vise I have ever used is sloppy and loose as hell. Sometimes I have to spin that handle a full revolution before the lash is taken up and it starts to move.

I also like the shape, they're aesthetically pleasing to look at.

I like the enclosed screw. It keeps it clean and lubed, and it naturally sheds debris from just piling up on the slide.

The swivel base with the locking teeth works well. I use a swivel vise occasionally.

The jaws open wide enough for the vise's jaw width. They also have sufficient depth for most of the work I do.

I will agree that Wiltons are not the most stout vise on the market. If you want to just beat on ****, there's probably a better vise out there for you. They weren't intended to be used for chipping vises or for post vises in a forge.

I have also found the pipe jaws on the Wiltons pretty useless. I much much much prefer a Ridgid chain vise for pipe work.

I have worked in industrial maintenance, custom fabrication, welding and repair, machining and general metal shop work for my whole career. I have never had my Wiltons break, but I also don't use a vise like a neanderthal.

I also like the fact that I can buy Wilton vises NEW. I have worked for a lot of places that won't buy used tools. If we wanted a shop vise, we had to get one from our vendors. Even if I wanted a Reed or a Parker, I can't get one from a tool dealer.

 

[m.d.hunter63@hotmail.]

Dr-clyde
Nope, not trying to stir up anything. Very serious question. I see folks drooling over wiltons..I don't see the attraction. I want a vise that grip and hold... I don't need a pretty vise, I want one that will work.
Thirty years ago, when I started my shop, I cheaped ouran bought half a dozen imported vises. Within a year 5 were broken. False economy. Replaced with kurts and a couple of parlecs
Same with bench vises.

Have seen a couple of Wilton vises in the scrap yard..... broken jaws. Have never seen a broken Reed there.
I suspect that the exceptional vise manufacturers put themselves out of business
Their vises just keep working



.

 

[neophyte]

Dr-clyde
Nope, not trying to stir up anything. Very serious question. I see folks drooling over wiltons..I don't see the attraction. I want a vise that grip and hold... I don't need a pretty vise, I want one that will work.
Thirty years ago, when I started my shop, I cheaped ouran bought half a dozen imported vises. Within a year 5 were broken. False economy. Replaced with kurts and a couple of parlecs
Same with bench vises.

Have seen a couple of Wilton vises in the scrap yard..... broken jaws. Have never seen a broken Reed there.
I suspect that the exceptional vise manufacturers put themselves out of business
Their vises just keep working



.

Are the broken Wilton vises the expensive machinist vises, or the much cheaper “Homeowner grade” vises?
Wilton’s business nowadays is as the brand for “vises” which includes everything from fairly precise, very well machined “Machinist” line, which seem to start in price at just under $1,000 for a 4” model, to the combo version of the same vise, to the “Tradesman” line of vises, which are imported, maybe slightly lighter in weight, but still ductile iron, and maybe 40% less in price, and then you get the lower cost “Apprentice” vises, which are grey iron, and which might cost $100-$200.
There are also other vises such as the steel slide versions that were originally made as part of the Columbia vise line that Wilton acquired when Wilton bought Columbian.
The lower cost vises are lower in quality and durability than the more expensive vises, and usually a worse value than some other lower cost vises that may cost the same.
Wilton’s reputation is for their more expensive vises, and this reputation is used to sell the lower cost vises.

 

[Shiftless]

Just curious, I have a couple a C1 and a 2:1/2 inch model, I really don't see the appeal. Now a Reed vise...that's a vise.

Mike

If you were nearby, I’d trade you my extra Reed 1C for that 2 1/2 inch Wilton bullet.

 

[m.d.hunter63@hotmail.]

I would be game

 

[m.d.hunter63@hotmail.]

Ok, I misspoke, it's a 9300, so it's a 3 inch, looks unused

 

[Shiftless]

Ok, I misspoke, it's a 9300, so it's a 3 inch, looks unused

No thanks then… I already have 2 of those in my collection.

But unused with sharp jaws and good condition original paint might be tempting.

 

[General Geoff]

Nope, not trying to stir up anything. Very serious question. I see folks drooling over wiltons..I don't see the attraction. I want a vise that grip and hold... I don't need a pretty vise, I want one that will work.

I think it's a combination of good (not necessarily best) overall attributes and the iconic, art-deco mid century aesthetic. Harkens back to a post-war era when the US was the industrial powerhouse of the world.

If you don't care about how it looks, there are other vises that do just as well or better for general mechanic usage.

 

[Cruzan80]

Are the broken Wilton vises the expensive machinist vises, or the much cheaper “Homeowner grade” vises?

For the ones I have seen, they are either the machinist or tradesman (that I have cared enough to look). The machinist ones are more likely to be broken than the tradesman, IME. Usually things like jaw shelves or other abuse to the "holding" area. I am not counting missing back covers or other (essentially) cosmetic issues. I have not noticed the same on the C-series (not sure if there is a difference in manufacturing, or if I haven't seen as many and therefore not noticed to the same degree).

The swivel base ears do seem to be a weak point on many vises (not just Wilton's). Not sure if it is getting dropped or just abusive levels of downward force when the jaws aren't open too much. I have seen several (Wilton's and others) with at least one busted ear.


Not trying to say Wilton's are junk. Far from it, but unless you need new, there are other vises that are the same quality functionally for cheaper, IMO.

 

[Zewnten]

Because someone put their opinion out there that they're the best and as many people who didn't grow up around the trades or worked in the trades took it as gospel.

I had a bullet vise, hated it. Always gummed up with dust. The ancient Athol vice with 8 inch jaws worked great but almost never needed one that big.

 

[Shiftless]

The ancient Athol vice with 8 inch jaws worked great but almost never needed one that big.

I have a 4 1/2 inch Wilton combination vise that is plenty for what I do. Although a 200+pound bench vise will earn a guy bragging rights when his beer drinking buddies drop by, I agree that a moderate sized quality vise is better for 99% of what we do.

What’s the minimum size vise that any of us would use to crack walnuts?

(note: AI can’t seem to get the hand on the handle aspect correct)

 

[Zewnten]

What’s the minimum size vise that any of us would use to crack walnuts?

(note: AI can’t seem to get the hand on the handle aspect correct)

That's what my stanley handyman is mainly for haha.

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

Not trying to say Wilton's are junk. Far from it, but unless you need new, there are other vises that are the same quality functionally for cheaper, IMO.

Or you buy a Fireball!

 

[Hephaestus29]

I have one, I only paid 20.00 to a landlord that was evicting some kind of tin shop I believe, it's been a long time. It's been a good vise.

My favorite is the Monster Rock Island I have mounted outside.

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

https://wiltontools.com/combination-pipe-and-bench-6-jaw-round-channel-vise-with-swivel-base

Its wild how expensive that is! The Fireball is $700 less and its better!

 

[IndyGarage]

I have a giant 6 inch one I bought a couple years ago. the thing literally weighs 200 lbs.

It's OK, but not as good as the 6 inch columbian I was using before. Looks cool though...

 

[682bear]

Have seen a couple of Wilton vises in the scrap yard..... broken jaws. Have never seen a broken Reed there.
I suspect that the exceptional vise manufacturers put themselves out of business
Their vises just keep working

I have a broken Reed if you want to see one...







-Bear

 

[m.d.hunter63@hotmail.]

Bear thanks for sharing, someone must have really beaten on that vise.

Mike

 

[General Geoff]

Or you buy a Fireball!

That's what I did, no regrets whatsoever. Better fit/finish than any Wilton I've ever personally laid eyes on. Stronger too.

 

[engineer2]

I missed out on a free Schiller Park bullet vise from a distant relative's estate cleanout. Another relative snagged it before I got there. He's a younger guy and a new fixer-upper homeowner so he will put it to good use. I congratulated him on getting it and told him they are highly desirable on the used market and to research the price if he ever decides to sell it.

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

I have a broken Reed if you want to see one...







-Bear

What were you doing to crack that? Balsa wood model aircraft construction?

 

[682bear]

Bear thanks for sharing, someone must have really beaten on that vise.

Mike

This vise actually didn't look nearly as abused as most that I see...



I didn't find the crack until I cleaned all the dried oil and other gunk off.

My point is that any vise of any brand can be broken... it's not exclusive to Wiltons.

Most broken vises that I see are Parker or Prentiss vises that the slide has been broken... either by someone using the slide as an anvil, or overtightening and breaking the slide off the dynamic jaw...

Like this Prentiss that is sitting in my shop...



-Bear

 

[Ultradog MN]

Bragging rights without ever saying a word.
I used to have a 6" no name vise. It was mounted on a stand right by the service door as you enter my shop.
No one ever noticed it.
I bought a Wilton C3 a couple of years ago and mounted it to the same vise stand.
Very few people walk past it without saying something like "Wow, nice vise!"

 

[liliysdad]

Why do folks get all hot and bothered over Wilton "Bullet" vises?​

Having cool **** is cool. Pretty simple.