Can you help identify this Wilton vise?

[Jadamow2]

I am new to this site and was hoping that one of you folks might be able to help me identify a Wilton vise that I picked up at a garage sale a couple of days ago. When I googled Wilton vise identification, this site came up but none of the threads that I saw had a vise that matched this one.

It has the marking "101039" in the casting on the fixed side and "8C1" on the moving side which I believe makes it a C-1. But the jaws measure 4-3/8" wide and I cannot find anything on a C-1 that matches that jaw size. Is it possible that these are not the correct jaws?

Also, I read on here that the date of manufacture is stamped on the key but the only thing stamped on this key is the digit "2".

It looks like the previous owner started to redo this vise and just quit for some reason. I always liked a Wilton and thought the $100 price was not too bad. The only real problems I have found with it are that I will have to repair two of the screw holes for the horse-shoe, replace the jaws and find a replacement for the missing end-cap.

Thank you in advance for any help that you folks might be able to give me.

Joe

 

[thehorse13]

You can buy replacement end caps here:
http://www.wiltonviseparts.net/wilton-end-caps

I have a Wilton bullet that came without an end cap so I grabbed one from the guy who runs that website. He also sells replacement jaws and will likely be able to identify your vise very quickly.

It's possible that you have a Frankenvise. What makes me suspect this is how far the main screw protrudes out from the nose. I don't think an end cap will fit on the end and it may be why yours never came with one. The previous owner may have just mixed parts to get the vise in working order.

Welcome.

 

[Jadamow2]

Thank you for the quick response, thehorse13. After I read your post, I slapped it back together and found that the mainscrew protrudes from the casting when the jaws are not in place. The screw only protrudes app 1/8" when the jaws are installed. Is this normal? It looks like sufficient clearance for an end cap.

I had fears of this being a frankenvise when I was unable to find anything about it on the internet. One thing that surprised me is that both the fixed and moving castings measure 4-3/8" wide at the jaw ledges. And these are the only two parts that I am sure are Wilton.

I will try to contact the fella at the site you gave me and I appreciate your help and your welcome wishes. I'll keep you posted as to what I find.

Thank you again and best regards,

Joe

[GD][GP][/GP][/GD]

 

[454ragtop]

It's a C1. When the correct jaw inserts are installed, 4-1/2" wide, they will protrude past the castings by 1/16" on each side.

 

[Jadamow2]

Thank you for the information, 454ragtop. I wouldn't have thought there was any unsupported jaw area but it sure makes sense.

 

[Jadamow2]

I spoke with Kevin at the site provided by thehorse13 and it was a pleasure speaking with him. He is very friendly and quite knowledgeable. He, like 454ragtop, said that I have an old C-1 with 4-1/2" jaws, which was a great relief to me as I thought I wasted my money on a Frankenstein. It wouldn't have been the first time I did!

I am buying the jaws and end cap from Kevin and he is putting new bars on the swivel locks.

I cleaned off the old paint and rust from it and primered it and everything seems to be in pretty good shape. I sanded through at least five different colors but Kevin told me that this vise was originally battleship gray.

Does anyone have any recommendations for the type and color of paint that I should use?

Thank you for your help,

Joe

 

[Jadamow2]

I just got my jaws and end cap from Kevin at wiltonviseparts.net and they were quality items. He also cleaned up my swivel lockdowns and put new bars in them! Great job!

I painted the end cap, put her together and I'm loving the end result. Here's hoping it lasts another 60 years!