Hello, well I am continuing to expand my collection of working tools. As with all my other rebuilds here on GJ. Nothing I own or rebuild is a “safe queen” (gun owners will get that), it either is put to work or sold. So, what’s up with the Wilton?
Here is some context, if you are not interested then skip to the first pic.
Over 15 years ago, I was struggling to assemble a work shop on a very limited budget and went with whatever tool was the cheapest. For Christmas that year I received a no name 5” bench vise (most likely from Northern Tool). About a year later I purchased a Central Forge 5” Multi-purpose vise. Yep, both were made in China and at the time I really didn’t know the value of a good quality vise.
The CF has seen more everyday use since it is located on my gun smithing bench and about 2 months ago, I managed to bend the spindle shaft by over-torqueing the vise. It still operated but now had a noticeable drag when opening and closing it.
Although, I had seen “The Vises of GJ” thread several times, I had never opened it.
I am ashamed to say, I had never heard of Wilton Vises let alone seen one until I read through the vises thread. Yes, over the years I was aware of larger vises like Charles Parker, Desmond Stephens, and Prentiss. However, I assumed that most home workshops used Craftsman, Columbian, and Yost.
As was the case with my instant affection for the Classic Craftsman Drill Press and just about anything made by King Seeley, the Wilton bullet style vise became my next target to procure.
I started looking at all the usual places, FB, CL, OU, Estate Sales, etc… but nothing was available or if it was, it was well over 300 bucks and that often was for a damaged vise. I saw my first Wilton in person at a large antique show in Atlanta just a month ago. It was a model 1335 I believe, and the guy was selling it for $750.00 with all the usual wear but not broken or cracked. That is way too high for my taste.
I read in the vise thread that a good rule of thumb for purchasing a vise is $25.00 per jaw size inch. Considering that the 3.5” #1335 was much larger than I had expected, I figured I could make do with a 3.5” but I really wanted a 4” vise. Unfortunately, here in the metro Atlanta area, Wilton vises are fairly rare and when found are overpriced. Expecting to find a Wilton 3.5” in working condition with no cracks welds for under $200.00 would be extremely rare. Perhaps, if I were more patient, one would come along but I am in the market for a vise now.
This unfortunately means I am stuck with ebay and the prospect of expensive shipping costs. Oddly enough, someone sold a 6” Wilton on CL around this time and he was only asking 100.00. It was sold before he even responded to my offer.
View media item 110877
Searching through all the available options on ebay I came across a 1740 that with shipping came to $250.00. That was more than I wanted to spend but the vise had 4” jaws, an additional set of brass caps, swivel base and looked to be in very good shape. My only concern was that it was one of the later models of the 1740 and had (now missing) the Wilton decal plate on the side with no embossed “Made in The USA” on it anywhere. I was concerned that it was one of the vises that Wilton now outsourced to Asia.
I decided to take the chance and buy it regardless and see what I get. The vise arrived and was exactly as pictured.
View media item 110837
While waiting for the vise to arrive, I started considering what color I would paint it once I cleaned it up. I found several rebuilds where people painted their Walton’s with Rust-Oleum Hammered Verde Green or Hammerrite Mid Green; however, both colors are no longer available. After some deep diving I found a source in the US that had several cans of the Verde Green, so I snagged them. Why the hell did they stop making this color? It is a great color for ventage machinery.
Anyway, the vise arrived as did the paint I disassembled the vise. I placed all the parts in a bath of simple green for 24 hours then cleaned everything with a wire brush. I hand sanded the top of the anvil and the sides of the jaws with 80 grit through 1000 grit. Next, I rinsed everything and masked off the parts to be painted.
I applied a metal etching primer to the main parts then painted them with the Verde Green, It looks more blue in the pictures under LED lights.
View media item 110875
Here are the other parts after the wire brush. I buffed the spindle assembly, ring plate, and lock nut assemblies.
View media item 110876
I have been soaking the spindle nut and locking pads in 30 wt motor oil for 72 hours. These parts will remain raw and oiled when installed.
I also started to clean up and true the brass jaw caps.
View media item 110874
Since I am actually only cleaning and repainting this vise, this is more of a refresh rather than a rebuild.
So, I have looked all over this vise and can find nothing that says Made in the USA or anywhere else; however, I did find an arrowhead embossment on the side of the fixed jaw. Knowing from working with lots of guns, these manufacturers marking often indicate what forges produced items, I posted the question in the vise thread and learned that the arrowhead is the marking for the Blackhawk forge in Ohio. So, this vise was made in the USA.
View media item 110854
I should have this vise assembled tonight or Wednesday and place it in service. More pics once it is assembled as well as the date stamp.
Thanks for the interest.
Here is some context, if you are not interested then skip to the first pic.
Over 15 years ago, I was struggling to assemble a work shop on a very limited budget and went with whatever tool was the cheapest. For Christmas that year I received a no name 5” bench vise (most likely from Northern Tool). About a year later I purchased a Central Forge 5” Multi-purpose vise. Yep, both were made in China and at the time I really didn’t know the value of a good quality vise.
The CF has seen more everyday use since it is located on my gun smithing bench and about 2 months ago, I managed to bend the spindle shaft by over-torqueing the vise. It still operated but now had a noticeable drag when opening and closing it.
Although, I had seen “The Vises of GJ” thread several times, I had never opened it.
I am ashamed to say, I had never heard of Wilton Vises let alone seen one until I read through the vises thread. Yes, over the years I was aware of larger vises like Charles Parker, Desmond Stephens, and Prentiss. However, I assumed that most home workshops used Craftsman, Columbian, and Yost.
As was the case with my instant affection for the Classic Craftsman Drill Press and just about anything made by King Seeley, the Wilton bullet style vise became my next target to procure.
I started looking at all the usual places, FB, CL, OU, Estate Sales, etc… but nothing was available or if it was, it was well over 300 bucks and that often was for a damaged vise. I saw my first Wilton in person at a large antique show in Atlanta just a month ago. It was a model 1335 I believe, and the guy was selling it for $750.00 with all the usual wear but not broken or cracked. That is way too high for my taste.
I read in the vise thread that a good rule of thumb for purchasing a vise is $25.00 per jaw size inch. Considering that the 3.5” #1335 was much larger than I had expected, I figured I could make do with a 3.5” but I really wanted a 4” vise. Unfortunately, here in the metro Atlanta area, Wilton vises are fairly rare and when found are overpriced. Expecting to find a Wilton 3.5” in working condition with no cracks welds for under $200.00 would be extremely rare. Perhaps, if I were more patient, one would come along but I am in the market for a vise now.
This unfortunately means I am stuck with ebay and the prospect of expensive shipping costs. Oddly enough, someone sold a 6” Wilton on CL around this time and he was only asking 100.00. It was sold before he even responded to my offer.
View media item 110877
Searching through all the available options on ebay I came across a 1740 that with shipping came to $250.00. That was more than I wanted to spend but the vise had 4” jaws, an additional set of brass caps, swivel base and looked to be in very good shape. My only concern was that it was one of the later models of the 1740 and had (now missing) the Wilton decal plate on the side with no embossed “Made in The USA” on it anywhere. I was concerned that it was one of the vises that Wilton now outsourced to Asia.
I decided to take the chance and buy it regardless and see what I get. The vise arrived and was exactly as pictured.
View media item 110837
While waiting for the vise to arrive, I started considering what color I would paint it once I cleaned it up. I found several rebuilds where people painted their Walton’s with Rust-Oleum Hammered Verde Green or Hammerrite Mid Green; however, both colors are no longer available. After some deep diving I found a source in the US that had several cans of the Verde Green, so I snagged them. Why the hell did they stop making this color? It is a great color for ventage machinery.
Anyway, the vise arrived as did the paint I disassembled the vise. I placed all the parts in a bath of simple green for 24 hours then cleaned everything with a wire brush. I hand sanded the top of the anvil and the sides of the jaws with 80 grit through 1000 grit. Next, I rinsed everything and masked off the parts to be painted.
I applied a metal etching primer to the main parts then painted them with the Verde Green, It looks more blue in the pictures under LED lights.
View media item 110875
Here are the other parts after the wire brush. I buffed the spindle assembly, ring plate, and lock nut assemblies.
View media item 110876
I have been soaking the spindle nut and locking pads in 30 wt motor oil for 72 hours. These parts will remain raw and oiled when installed.
I also started to clean up and true the brass jaw caps.
View media item 110874
Since I am actually only cleaning and repainting this vise, this is more of a refresh rather than a rebuild.
So, I have looked all over this vise and can find nothing that says Made in the USA or anywhere else; however, I did find an arrowhead embossment on the side of the fixed jaw. Knowing from working with lots of guns, these manufacturers marking often indicate what forges produced items, I posted the question in the vise thread and learned that the arrowhead is the marking for the Blackhawk forge in Ohio. So, this vise was made in the USA.
View media item 110854
I should have this vise assembled tonight or Wednesday and place it in service. More pics once it is assembled as well as the date stamp.
Thanks for the interest.
