When our company was moving a few years ago, I took the option to purchase one of our metal work benches from my employer before the auction came in and sold off everything remaining in the building. I paid the 5 extra dollars to get a bench that had a vise on it. The vise is a Columbian 504 4" vise. I didn't know it to be anything special when I got it (and didn't even really know there good and bad vise's at all), but after using it the last few years, I really like this thing. Using other my dad's vise, other people's much crummier vise's, and my current vise at work that I loathe, a "Morgan Chicago", have made me appreciate this one.
I guess I'd like to know three things:
-Any clues on when it was built?
-Was it built in the USA? It says Cleveland on it, but doesn't specifically say "made in".
-What was the original color? I'd really love to repaint it nice again even though the amount of strike marks on it is astronomical. It's really taken a lot of beatings in its life. It looks to me like there is black paint underneath the red on the outside, so I think it was black.
If any vise enthusiasts can help, your library of knowledge is much appreciated.
I guess I'd like to know three things:
-Any clues on when it was built?
-Was it built in the USA? It says Cleveland on it, but doesn't specifically say "made in".
-What was the original color? I'd really love to repaint it nice again even though the amount of strike marks on it is astronomical. It's really taken a lot of beatings in its life. It looks to me like there is black paint underneath the red on the outside, so I think it was black.
If any vise enthusiasts can help, your library of knowledge is much appreciated.
