School me on my vise

WhiteLightning · Jul 5, 2012

School me on my Columbian vises

Here is a picture of a vise that I have acquired from my late grandfather. It's a 3-inch vise and has the swivel base. I want to eventually restore it, but figured I would ask and see if anyone knew the vintage/history of such a vise.

Let me know what you guys think.

EDIT: 7/6/12- Added a 4-inch vise to post #7. Check that out too.

Thanks,
Andrew

Outlawmws · Jul 5, 2012

You are only showing one side, but I think I have one of those. Columbian C43, right?

As lighter homeowners vises, go, I'd rate this one on the higher end of that particular food chain. Probably 50's or so, at a guess. That should clean up nice!

WhiteLightning · Jul 5, 2012

I'll take a look at the other side tonight. Stay tuned for updated pics/info later tonight or tomorrow.

I think there is another (larger) vise at my grandmothers house. I will see if I can score it as well and do the same.

Catalyze · Jul 5, 2012

I am thinking Outlawmws is correct. The later "D" series had the model number on the dynamic jaw on the side you posted.
Craig

WhiteLightning · Jul 5, 2012

Here are some additional pics:

ZRX61 · Jul 5, 2012

Here's the one I had... before & after...

https://sphotos.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/33892_1527130070973_4262711_n.jpg

https://sphotos.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/33892_1527130150975_5295025_n.jpg

WhiteLightning · Jul 6, 2012

I scored another vise from my late grandfather. I stopped by my grandmothers house this morning and acquired this.....

It says 'Columbian Pats Pend' on the one side, and I can't make out the front of the dynamic jaw. There are no other markings on it. It is a 4-inch vise.

Does anyone know anything about this one?!?!

Outlawmws · Jul 6, 2012

No clue how old it is, but formed plate & welded is a rare vise, compared to the masses of cast iron and cast steel vises. Probably more rare than forged vises, (mostly Blacksmith's post vises there...) Nice score!

WhiteLightning · Jul 6, 2012

I would never sell either of these, but I posted this out of curiosity with regards to the age/history/etc.

Once I get my workbench built I will start restoring both. I'll make a new thread of the restoration process.

JASTECH · Jul 6, 2012

Do like Outlaw stated, he's correct.
Do make sure a good grommet is used and I like to tie a knot in the cord before it exits the grommet. Also decide on length of cord needed and guage required. I would use 12-2 w/grd.

jeffmoss26 · Jul 6, 2012

Jastech...huh?

jakemac · Oct 29, 2013

Resurrecting an old thread. Sorry.

WhiteLightning,
I just learned that my Grandfather's vise is the same as your Columbian. He bought his used in the mid to late 50's. His doesn't have the Columbian stamp or sticker. I am guessing that it dates from the 40's to early 50's, but have no proof. Like you, I'm looking for more info.

WhiteLightning · Oct 29, 2013

Man, I forgot about this thread!

A lot has happened since this......

The vises were sand blasted and primered

The 3" was painted

A new handle was fabricated for the 4"

(Old)

(New)

And then the 4" was painted to match

jakemac · Oct 29, 2013

Nice job.

The surface of your Columbian seems to have suffered less abuse than my grandfathers. Did you ever find out what the model number or logo on the dynamic jaw was ?

WhiteLightning · Oct 30, 2013

jakemac said:
Nice job.

The surface of your Columbian seems to have suffered less abuse than my grandfathers. Did you ever find out what the model number or logo on the dynamic jaw was ?

Thanks. The only apparent markings on the 4" vise (besides the stamped letters you can see) was what appeared to be "COLUMBIAN" painted on the front of the dynamic jaw. That's about it. It appears I have an odd vise!

bczygan · Oct 30, 2013

Can't believe the depth and quality of your redo. Inspiring!

WhiteLightning · Dec 15, 2014

New found information on my 4" vise!!!!!!!

rusty65 said:
Here is a ad that I think will answer some old questions it depicts a welded steel Columbia vise that a couple members own.

rusty65 said:
The ad is old for sure my guess is it couldn't be any newer then 1935 because on the next page a reed vise is shown with the older style handle.

Looks familiar.....

mikegt4 · Dec 15, 2014

Well done WhiteLightning

Re: your original photos (post 5), just how many of those saw cuts on the vise did you make as a child?

WhiteLightning · Dec 15, 2014

mikegt4 said:
Well done WhiteLightning

Re: your original photos (post 5), just how many of those saw cuts on the vise did you make as a child?

Thanks. None actually! The first time I ever remember seeing them was when I acquired them.

CNGsaves · Dec 16, 2014

Sweet rare Columbian vise . . . . terrific job of restoration !!
LOVE the contour of the Columbian in subtle art deco way. :thumbup:

Your grandpa would be proud. Both of those vises are LIFETIME keepers, just for remembrance.

Thanks for sharing.

wild cowboy · Dec 16, 2014

did you weigh it to see if the weight jives with the catalog entry?

Nice job on the restoration

jakemac · Apr 12, 2015

Well, it looks like we have some new info on the date of the Columbian 804. I was trolling ebay and found an ad for sale for vises dated Jan. 3, 1949. On the second page, guess what I saw ! Yup, you guessed it.

First we though it was a war ration vise, then we think it's a Depression era vise, now it seems it's a post-war vise. My head is starting to spin. Will we ever get a definitive answer as to when these vises were made ? :dunno:

OBTW -
I picked up another one today. Details here :
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4786740#post4786740

WhiteLightning · Apr 13, 2015

jakemac said:
Well, it looks like we have some new info on the date of the Columbian 804. I was trolling ebay and found an ad for sale for vises dated Jan. 3, 1949. On the second page, guess what I saw ! Yup, you guessed it.

First we though it was a war ration vise, then we think it's a Depression era vise, now it seems it's a post-war vise. My head is starting to spin. Will we ever get a definitive answer as to when these vises were made ?

That ad shows a combination vise, with pipe jaws. Mine does not have that feature. The ad I linked in post #17 appears to be what I have.

One thing I really dislike about this vise is the jaws. They have little, to no, grip at all. I find myself putting things in the vise to have them shift around. I tried to deepen the diagonal grooves via a file and dremel tool and it still doesn't hold like I would hope. Do you know of anyone who makes jaws for these vises? I'd like something similar to these.....

5_x_1.0_ser_1__25401.1405426697.1280.1280.JPG

jakemac · Apr 13, 2015

I've never seen the pipe jaws either.

Contact KMScott by PM. If he has the time, you should be able to send him your old jaws so that he can match them. Just tell him what changes you need.

jakemac · May 7, 2015

Alright gents, the decal image is done. Unfortunately I can't upload a high res file to the site and the conversion file changes the resolution and the image size. Here's the link to the post.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4840816#post4840816

WhiteLightning · May 18, 2015

jakemac said:
Alright gents, the decal image is done. Unfortunately I can't upload a high res file to the site and the conversion file changes the resolution and the image size. Here's the link to the post.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4840816#post4840816

I asked my decal guy and he said he cannot do it. Does anyone have a source for this?

School me on my vise

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