Baby Wilton Swivel Locks

[blsnelling]

I'm preparing to restore a Baby Wilton made in '63. I noticed that there are 3 versions of the swivel locks? Are these period specific? Mine currently has the round/flat top version, but I like the other versions better. Would I be doing the restoration a disservice by using a different style?

http://www.wiltonviseparts.net/baby-2-inch-swivel-clamps/

 

[jakemac]

KMScott (a member here) is the owner of that website and makes the parts. He might have an answer as to the differences and the values.

 

[blsnelling]

I've messaged him as well.

 

[bluebolt]

I like the hemispherical top ones on my baby better than the others! They go well with the bullet look of the vise.

 

[LXCam]

Dude it's your vise. If you like those better then go with it. But I would suggest keeping the old ones in the event you decide to ever sell it. BTW, I think those look pretty dang sporty, I'd swap them out as well.

 

[blsnelling]

Sounds like we're all in agreement. I like the round topped ones as well. A set of his jaws will go nicely with it as well.

 

[G-ManBart]

I like the hemispherical top ones on my baby better than the others! They go well with the bullet look of the vise.

Do you know if the hemispherical top versions were before or after the hex style? I know the ones on the baby pictured are the newest style, but always wondered which of the other two was older.

 

[bluebolt]

My baby is stamped 1-46 so it is pretty early. No idea if the hex style were before or after.

 

[KMScott]

I started making the two other styles after seeing them on the Baby's on GJ and e-bay. My thoughts are the first generation Baby's had the bullet type lock downs but in the later years the 7/16 hex and the 1/2 inch round flat top design were used. I bet the bullet type were not easy to make even for Wilton, so when they ran out they put the other styles on like I have seen in the other bullets. I wish I know more of the history but I do all I can in figuring out the actual dimensions and trying to make them look original.

I can only say them little bullet kinds are a pain to make, my big fat fingers have a hard time forging the handles and finishing them on the wood lathe I make all my handles on.

The small ones are harder to tighten down but the Baby's really are not a vise that is used in heavy work.

 

[blsnelling]

Thanks for the info, Kevin.

 

[bluebolt]

Looking at my baby I realize these swivel locks would be ever harder to reproduce, they are actually screws, not nuts. The baseplate is just a piece of bar with threaded holes. The static jaw casting has a step machined into it so the swivel base centers on that.