How to make a replacement dust cap for a Wilton 1745 vise

dunstan · Dec 18, 2013

I recently found a product that works quite well as a replacement dust cap for a Wilton 1745 vise. It's an aluminum post cap for a chain link fence. I got mine at Zoro Tools for $1.09 with free shipping.

Post Cap, Material Aluminum, Plain Finish, 2-3/8 In. Dia.
http://www.zorotools.com/g/00056476/k-G1005234/

Some steps:
• Cut it to length.
• File down the outside and sand down the inside to thin the walls enough that it easily fits into the end of the vise. You only need to do this for the part below the lip as this is the only part that inserts into the vise.
• You can file down the lip if you like, but I'm going to keep it.

When I removed the original dust cap from the vise it got badly distorted as the screw pushed the thin walls out of shape. Hopefully this replacement cap won't be so hard to remove in future, but to prevent that distortion I'm going to glue in, or melt in some extra metal into the inside end of the cap to provide some added protection.

When I've got it painted and installed I'll come back and add in some additional photos.

Hope that helps.

balane · Dec 18, 2013

Great idea. Can't wait to see it installed. Looks like it might be a much more attractive solution than a flat, metal freeze plug.

cclfn · Dec 18, 2013

dunstan said:
When I've got it painted and installed I'll come back and add in some additional photos.

Hope that helps.

Great thread and I will try that but PLEASE don't forget to grind off the "CHINA" on the inside of that cap before installing it in the Wilton. :yikes:

The Vise Gods may get angry.

Wes

drivesitfar · Dec 18, 2013

I can't remember where I read that a fence post was a good option, but i'm restoring a Wilton C0 and it needs a dust cover. so I put in my thread asking if anybody has tried to use one and one member that i'm sure was well oiled wanted me to send him the vise to put on his fence post.

I did like that it was round, but thought it might be too thick. excellent thread and two of my favorite vise guys have already given it a thumbs up. thanks for showing us how to do it. :thumbup:

here's my wilton thread if you want to see it where I was asking about the fence post and the last comment I mentioned. i'll buy several fence post caps after seeing yours finished inside your Wilton.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=226534&highlight=wilton+grinder

Gary Indiana · Jan 3, 2014

Great practical tips! Thank you.

I had a missing dust cup on a 1982 Wilton Tradesman 1750.

EOC_Jason in this forum suggested trying a freeze plug.

GM freeze plug Dorman 555-110 fit like a glove in my old Wilton 1750. It cost me 69 cents at nearby O'Reilly Auto Parts. The kids there were very helpful finding the right size for me.

drivesitfar · Jan 3, 2014

Gary,

Don't get me wrong because a $.69 part to keep stuff out and your grease from drying is an awesome find. I think if you are going to do a total restore on your Wilton some day you might want to see if you can put a little roundness in the freeze plug cap or try the fence cap fitting that this thread is mentioning to give it a little more of it's original look.

I just think they look a little nicer with the torpedo look. glad you posted your information here along with the vise thread because your freeze plug does do the job.

dunstan · Jan 4, 2014

That reminds me, I forgot to post my finished photos. Here they are. I glued in a plastic insert (made with InstaMorph) to the cap so that if I ever have to use the bolt to push it off from the inside it won't have a single point of contact with the metal cap and distort it (as happened with the original cap).

The original fencepost cap, the re-sized and powder-coated version, and the plastic insert:

Making the plastic insert:

Fixing the plastic insert into the cap:

The cap, installed:

dunstan · Jan 4, 2014

Oh, and before anyone points it out, yes, I know the anvil part of the vise got powder coated. I didn't want that to happen, but the coaters boobed. I'll have to sand it down at some point.

Gary Indiana · Jan 4, 2014

drivesitfar said:
I just think they look a little nicer with the torpedo look. glad you posted your information here along with the vise thread because your freeze plug does do the job.

Drivesitfar,

Thanks for the tip earlier about this thread. I re-posted the info here so it doesn't stay buried in that big vises thread.

The tip just might help someone some day.

You are right about the "roundness" of that cup looking more original to Wilton, and just better looking overall. I might get and try one of them fence post tops for that.

dunstan said:
I glued in a plastic insert (made with InstaMorph) to the cap so that if I ever have to use the bolt to push it off from the inside it won't have a single point of contact with the metal cap and distort it (as happened with the original cap).

Fixing the plastic insert into the cap:

Dunstan,

Great thread and great idea with that plastic! I also thought about sticking a 5 cent coin onto that plastic insert, so the bolt would have a solid surface to press upon.

drivesitfar · Jan 4, 2014

another option might be to go buy another $.69 freeze plug and bang on it a bit with a ball peen hammer or something else to maybe customize your freeze plug that seems to fit so nicely.

did you pull out the screw on your Wilton and clean it and the female threads and add some new grease? i'm guessing the black paint was to hide some rust and with the dust cover missing it would have gotten wet inside or dried out depending on where it was sitting getting rusty.

good luck and thanks again for providing the #'s to the freeze plug because I always heard they would work and had never bought one.

Dunstan:
sorry I didn't see you added pictures of your finished fence cap for the dust cover. it looks great. some guys use a belt sander to sand off excess paint off the anvil portion, but since you powder coated it that might not work. in any case you probably should use something else to beat on things besides your Wilton. also in case you might want an original new Wilton label I think Wilton might sell them or somebody does because I've seen them.

thanks for starting and finishing your fence cap cover and I may use one if I can't figure out how to round out a freeze plug.

Todd.Brock · Jan 4, 2014

Looks great ! I am still cap less on my Wilton . I haven't cared enough to do anything about it but I should. This will be a good option!

Powers3 · Apr 5, 2014

Hey guys. I also have a wilton 1750 w/o a dust cap. To be Honest like the look of the freeze plug. I measured the diameter @ 1 11/16". Lookin for help on the size normally used and how to keep the plug in (pins, glued etc.) thanks.

ViseFan · Jan 31, 2015

Hello, all! I have some newbie questions.

Are Wilton Cadets supposed to have end caps? I don't think there is enough space between the vise body and the threaded bushing(?) for anything but a pretty thin freeze plug. Additionally, the bushing is a little off-center.

The vise (4") is in pretty good shape (about 45 degrees of backlash), and I would like to avoid pulling the bushing in order to get all the old grease+crud out. The question is, are there any downsides to having it cleaned in an auto-parts store block cleaning tank?

The only thing upsetting about this vise is that some shoemaker welded the jaws... in lieu of using two screws. ;-(

BTW, I love Garage Journal!

drivesitfar · Jan 31, 2015

ViseFan: nice handle BTW. if you want to learn how to do electrolysis i would suggest reading this thread

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=237752&highlight=homemade+electrolysis

as far as i know the Cadets didn't have a dust cover, but i'm not positive because i haven't owned one.

can you post up a few pictures of your Wilton over on the vise repair 101 thread and maybe somebody over there will see your vise and have some ideas.

welcome to the forum and you will enjoy membership now that you can post questions and answers to those you know to share with us.

ViseFan · Jan 31, 2015

Thank you, I will check that thread!
VF

Davidsig · May 26, 2015

I'm looking for an original dust cap for a Wilton 1750...any thoughts where to look?

How to make a replacement dust cap for a Wilton 1745 vise

dunstan

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balane

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cclfn

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drivesitfar

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Gary Indiana

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drivesitfar

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dunstan

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Gary Indiana

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Powers3

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drivesitfar

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