Is this Walworth vise any good

[mw67rs]

My uncle has this vise and he wants to get rid of it. I know very little about vises. Is this one any good? Is there any additional info I can get that would help determine if it is worth restoring?



Thanks for any advice

 

[ZRX61]

Walworth tools went out of business about 100 years ago. I'd grab it

 

[drivesitfar]

I was going to say it has to be pretty old just by the look. the post under it was sort of the pre swivel design. I'm not sure if it's missing a part or how exactly you would mount it, but it's worth keeping and doing some research on this one.

you might want to post some good Photobucket pictures in the vise thread to see if the old vise guys might know more. some were alive over 100 years ago I think.

happy holidays

 

[malibulvr]

I see this one on Fleabay (No, not my auction, LOL) pull if I'm breaking some sort of rule. I'm thinking yours is earlier, I would grab it! Very cool.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-WALWORTH-BENCH-VISE-VICE-railroad-USA-boston-/350832044250

 

[mw67rs]

Thanks. I will try to get more/better pics and post them in the vise thread as suggested and see if anyone there knows any more about the vise. I have no idea how it is suppose to be mounted.

 

[tedsters]

Thanks. I will try to get more/better pics and post them in the vise thread as suggested and see if anyone there knows any more about the vise. I have no idea how it is suppose to be mounted.

I see this one on Fleabay (No, not my auction, LOL) pull if I'm breaking some sort of rule. I'm thinking yours is earlier, I would grab it! Very cool.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-WALWORTH-BENCH-VISE-VICE-railroad-USA-boston-/350832044250

shows how to mount on the ebay vise thru the bottom

 

[Outlawmws]

that is basically an early "swivel" vise. you bore a hole on the bench adn use the turn buckle and giant washer to tighten. not the best solution but in its day...

Some vises that used that mechanism also had a hole in the flange to drop a pin into with mating holes in the bench for the angle(s) desired.

Nice cool old vise! Get it if you can!

 

[skybar]

i like walworth because you know they were made between 1892 and 1911. many companies did not keep historical records and nearly impossible to date like athol, starrett, littlestown. they are well made, easy to take apart and very rare. i think these are one of the MOST collectable vise brands around.
here' mine - 65 lbs

 

[wrenchguy]

i like walworth because you know they were made between 1892 and 1911. many companies did not keep historical records and nearly impossible to date like athol, starrett, littlestown. they are well made, easy to take apart and very rare. i think these are one of the MOST collectable vise brands around.
here' mine - 65 lbs


nice.

 

[Hawk]

If you get the vise run a pipe through your workbench top to pass the mounting bolt through so as to not wallow out the hole.

 

[drivesitfar]

Hawk: nice tip. i wonder if even a short piece of heavy gauge PVC might be better than nothing if you don't have a short piece of metal pipe to use.

 

[Hawk]

If the pipe is used to swivel the vise PVC would wear faster then a metal pipe. If used just to keep from damaging the top of the workbench and not used to roughly then it would probably do okay for a while.

 

[jakemac]

A copper pipe would be better. It wouldn't wear out as fast, and shouldn't damage the threads.

 

[oldldh]

Grab that ancient bit of clampdom!!!


Restore it...


And---dare I say it---


Paint it "Arrest-Me-Red"!!!!

 

[jcole737]

I just bought one for $65. I didn't realize it was so old, I just needed a vice!

 

[drivesitfar]

JC: yes your vise is early 1900's. sadly it's jaws have been welded on and it's missing a handle, but if you have a piece of rod or can make a handle it looks like it should work ok.

if you need help making a handle or getting some ideas check out the vise repair 101 thread and here's the link. if you don't see one that you can make just ask a question and post up more pictures of your vise with the size of the hole where the handle should be.

also welcome to the forum and hope you stick around to learn more about old vises and tools and teach us what you know.