Bullet Vise Date and Play

[Gwizjames]

1. Does the C1 Wilton bullet vise date code “11Q7” mean 2007? Customer service said they don’t track dates.

2. Should there be free play in the handle as you change from tighten to loosen? How much is normal?

 

[kenc184]

It's probably 1107, so Nov 2007.

There will be a groove worn in the large retaining "washer" on the front of the vise, and/or the matching groove in the spindle. If you have a lathe make a thicker replacement - I had to do that on my C3 to remove slop. You can buy thicker replacements too, but it's possible they might be too thick - depending on the wear in your spindle groove - in which case you're going to be doing a bit of filing on it.

 

[Gwizjames]

It's probably 1107, so Nov 2007.

There will be a groove worn in the large retaining "washer" on the front of the vise, and/or the matching groove in the spindle. If you have a lathe make a thicker replacement - I had to do that on my C3 to remove slop. You can buy thicker replacements too, but it's possible they might be too thick - depending on the wear in your spindle groove - in which case you're going to be doing a bit of filing on it.

definitely a Q

 

[kenc184]

No, it's a zero with a small accidental gouge.
Either that, or out of the thousands of dates reported, yours is the only one with a letter?