Little Scout Vise

8man · Nov 8, 2016

I inherited a little Scout vise. I got it working, but the jaws were beat up and don't match up flush. They don't have removable plates, they are solid.

Where/how/who would take it and make the jaws match up again?

Obviously not me, but since it's inherited, I'd like to get it working.

Teenager with old tools · Nov 8, 2016

I don't know anyone to do this but someone may be able to modify it to have removable jaws problem is I don't think jaws are cheap I don't know

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smschriefer · Nov 9, 2016

What size is it? I've seen 3.5 and 4" with removable plates. The Scout is actually a Wilton vise if you weren't aware. I'm not sure what your plans are for use, but what about buying a set of copper vise jaw caps? A pair from Wilton would set you back between $40-50 depending on jaw size.

https://www.zoro.com/wilton-replace...PYJiPROJlp7zslBCGKyH5RoCGLHw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Roberts210 · Nov 9, 2016

How about posting a picture so we can see what you are talking about better.

Will561 · Nov 9, 2016

Post your question in Vise repairs or even fabrication techniques if you don't get your answer here. Good luck with the Scout!

Plombob · Nov 10, 2016

I have one of those. They are great vises!

8man · Nov 10, 2016

I've been gone from the shop. I'll post up some pictures this weekend if not sooner.

6PTsocket · Nov 10, 2016

I got a set of 6" Wilton copper jaws, on line, because the price was right. They were new surplus. The seller only had the one size and it was what I needed. At work we had a Reed vise with the same style soft jaws but in brass. I like the brass better. The copper chews up too easily. The brass is more durable but still soft enough to not mar the work. Both Reed and Wilton make them in a range of sizes. They are pretty universal and the fingers bend to fit your vise, but they are not cheap. Sorry for going off topic but somebody mentioned soft jaw caps

8man · Nov 11, 2016

Ok, got some pics of the vise.

You can see how messed up the jaws are. I have no idea what he was doing with it to get them in that shape.

I think they need to be milled down to make them match up. What do you think?

CNGsaves · Nov 11, 2016

Wow, gramps must have been beating the tar out of that thing !! :scared:

Surprised an open screw vise held up !! :thumbup:

+1 to mill the jaws flat/square if you've got access.

Will be a nice keeper once it's restored . . . especially for sentimental reasons.

Knapp1 · Nov 11, 2016

I would mill it down like you said,then drill and tap per new set of jaws.

8man · Jan 30, 2017

I finally found a company that will grind down the face of the vise. Now I need the jaws.

Any leads of jaws for a vise this small?

Thanks.

notlob · Jan 30, 2017

Kevin, a GJ member, makes exceptional vise jaws, including for 3.5 inch vises. They are works of art, but not inexpensive:

http://www.wiltonviseparts.net/3-1-2-x-5-8-x-7-16-serrated-wilton-vise-jaws/

Bcom · Jan 30, 2017

Just send the whole vise to kevin scott. He can do all the milling or welding that needs done. He is the go to guy on anything vise in here. He just refurbished cut and welded an entire reed vise and it looks beautiful. Give this guy a call. You should consider no one else but this guy

8man · Feb 9, 2017

Kevin, this is the vise.

Bcom · Feb 9, 2017

This kevin scott. Send him a pm-----
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/member.php?u=113868

exmaxima1 · Feb 9, 2017

I had a similar Wilton Scout and it had removable jaws. It might have been a slightly newer version. The swivel base was cracked, so I machined a new one from steel plate (actually the top plate from a speaker magnet assembly). Overall it was still in decent shape---sold it for $20 a few months ago, which is probably FAR LESS than what it will cost to repair the OP's worn out Scout (which also appears to be missing the swivel base).

8man · Jun 1, 2017

Kevin took my vise and straightened it up, then ground down the face so that it is square and slick.

Not only did he straighten the bar and grind the jaws, he even painted it for me!

A big Thank You to Kevin for his work. It looks great!

PBT · Jan 30, 2025

I am new to the forum and I have a Wilton Scout 4" red vise that I bought at auction. I have taken it apart to remove the paint and rust, restore the gear and re-assemble it. I am trying to determine the date of manufacture and would like to request help. The base has a thin metal plate on it 13-633 1/2. I believe this is a model number but not sure. I have measured the jaws so I'm sure it is a 4". There is no number beneath or above this plate. The flip side of this base has the number "6" stamped into it. The moving jaw side of the vise has the number "3" stamped into it and "USA". The opposite side of the moving jaw, has "USA" and a stamped square with a stylized capital N inside of the square. I'm assuming this is the initial of one of the owners. The stationary jaw has SCOUT and 4" plus the same stamped square with the stylized capital N inside of the square. The opposite stationary jaw has SCOUT and 4" and a stamped number "5" on it.... Can anyone help date this Scout for me. Many thanks. Pat

Private Lugnutz · Jan 31, 2025

PBT said:
Can anyone help date this Scout for me.

All the Scouts were made in the 50's. Not sure about all the numbers you're describing. It would probably help to post photos. I have a 3-1/2" Scout and it has the same number (13-633 1/2) under the rotating base. My hunch is the same base was used for the 3-1/2" and 4" models, and possibly the 4-1/2" model, although that one had a reverse dynamic jaw for some odd reason, so maybe not. I don't know anything about the stylized "[N]" you're describing or the stamped "5" (dynamic jaw) or "6" (top of base), but they are probably part numbers, something esoteric to assembly. Mine has a "12 1054" on the dynamic jaw and a "12 1047" on the static jaw, for example.

I can see that you probably Googled 'Wilton Scout' and after you saw a bunch of unhelpful eBay ads and other stuff you saw a link to this GJ thread, but if you go into the main Vises thread here on GJ and search on 'Wilton Scout' you will find a lot more examples and information. I posted mine here on that thread, which prompted some other examples to be posted followed by some good information, including a post from me in which I summarized and posted a link to even more information from one of our best vise researchers.

PBT · Jan 31, 2025

Private Lugnutz said:
All the Scouts were made in the 50's. Not sure about all the numbers you're describing. It would probably help to post photos. I have a 3-1/2" Scout and it has the same number (13-633 1/2) under the rotating base. My hunch is the same base was used for the 3-1/2" and 4" models, and possibly the 4-1/2" model, although that one had a reverse dynamic jaw for some odd reason, so maybe not. I don't know anything about the stylized "[N]" you're describing or the stamped "5" (dynamic jaw) or "6" (top of base), but they are probably part numbers, something esoteric to assembly. Mine has a "12 1054" on the dynamic jaw and a "12 1047" on the static jaw, for example.

I can see that you probably Googled 'Wilton Scout' and after you saw a bunch of unhelpful eBay ads and other stuff you saw a link to this GJ thread, but if you go into the main Vises thread here on GJ and search on 'Wilton Scout' you will find a lot more examples and information. I posted mine here on that thread, which prompted some other examples to be posted followed by some good information, including a post from me in which I summarized and posted a link to even more information from one of our best vise researchers.

Thanks. Here are some photos of the scout dis-assembled.

Private Lugnutz · Jan 31, 2025

Those are foundry marks. Wilton shopped out a lot of forgings.

PBT · Feb 12, 2025

Many thanks for all of your help. I found other photos of similar Scouts and they also had the stylized "N", which suggests to me, just as you said, that this was a stamp from the subcontractor to whom that part was subbed out for casting. I have dried, and re-painted the Scout parts, and re-assembled them. Then built a portable, removable base for it for use on top of my 1980's Workmate 400. I obtained some grease yesterday and will apply tomorrow to the screw threads. Hope someday to visit the Lugzonian! Thanks again.

Little Scout Vise

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