Columbian 5041/2 Vise Advice

[Dan Cobian]

Newest of newbies to this forum.

Looking for some help regarding a vise I'm considering buying. It is a Columbian 504 1/2.

Questions:

1) is it worth $60?

2) It doesn't look like it has removable/replaceable jaws- Are there benefits to that? Cons?

3) Can I add swivel base later (I think so- Just to verify)?

4) any idea how old it might be?

5) Any other concerns or issues I'm not thinking about?

Thanks!

 

[Dan Cobian]

Couldn't upload more than one picture at a time for some reason-

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[Dan Cobian]

 

[Dan Cobian]

 

[Dan Cobian]

 

[wkndwarrior29]

Dan - use Google and search "garagejournal Columbian 504" and you will find hours worth of reading material to answer your questions and guide you through making that old vise like new.

I think I paid $45 for mine in central PA, and spent a few hours restoring it. I just regret not having bought one sooner in life. They are great vises!

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Hi Dan,
Welcome to the crazy train of vintage vises. Enjoy the ride!

I restore/resell vises. To answer your questions as best I can:

1) is it worth $60?
YES! IMO: It's a great size and built like a rock. Consider what kind of vise that 60$ will you in a big box store.

2) It doesn't look like it has removable/replaceable jaws- Are there benefits to that? Cons?
As long as there is no damage to the jaws, I wouldn't worry about it. Of the dozens of vises that have come through my shop, I've never had any jaw face problems. I've only had to replace ones that were missing.

3) Can I add swivel base later (I think so- Just to verify)?
I believe that you can. However, I think it would be difficult to find one.

4) any idea how old it might be?
My guess is late 1950s - 1960s based on the lettering font in the casting.

5) Any other concerns or issues I'm not thinking about?
Be sure that the jaw faces align when closed. Take the dynamic jaw out of the body and inspect the main nut. Look it over closely for cracks, weld repairs or other damage.

You may want to visit and say "Hi" on the "Vises of Garage Journal" thread. There is a lot of vise expertise there.

Pictured below is a 504 that I restored for a customer as a family heirloom.

Cheers!

 

[Dan Cobian]

Dan - use Google and search "garagejournal Columbian 504" and you will find hours worth of reading material to answer your questions and guide you through making that old vise like new.

I think I paid $45 for mine in central PA, and spent a few hours restoring it. I just regret not having bought one sooner in life. They are great vises!

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

Thanks- I thought I 'd executed a thorough search. I'll keep looking based on your feedback

 

[Dan Cobian]

Hi Dan,
Welcome to the crazy train of vintage vises. Enjoy the ride!

I restore/resell vises. To answer your questions as best I can:

1) is it worth $60?
YES! IMO: It's a great size and built like a rock. Consider what kind of vise that 60$ will you in a big box store.

2) It doesn't look like it has removable/replaceable jaws- Are there benefits to that? Cons?
As long as there is no damage to the jaws, I wouldn't worry about it. Of the dozens of vises that have come through my shop, I've never had any jaw face problems. I've only had to replace ones that were missing.

3) Can I add swivel base later (I think so- Just to verify)?
I believe that you can. However, I think it would be difficult to find one.

4) any idea how old it might be?
My guess is late 1950s - 1960s based on the lettering font in the casting.

5) Any other concerns or issues I'm not thinking about?
Be sure that the jaw faces align when closed. Take the dynamic jaw out of the body and inspect the main nut. Look it over closely for cracks, weld repairs or other damage.

You may want to visit and say "Hi" on the "Vises of Garage Journal" thread. There is a lot of vise expertise there.

Pictured below is a 504 that I restored for a customer as a family heirloom.

Cheers!

Mark- Thanks so much! Very helpful response. It looks beefy and the owner says it weighs over 40 lbs. I can't wait to get my hands on it and try a restoration. If it looks 10% as good as the one you did, I'll be happy!

I'll definitely check out. The "Vises of Garage Journal" thread.

Thanks again

-Dan

 

[tool_scrounge]

Looking at the craigslist ad for the vise, it seems like a.reasonable deal. I have the 1970 craftsman equivalent and it is a reasonable vise. There are heavier duty vises out there, but it is a good gerarge vise. The ad has been up for a week, so you may be abe to get it a bit cheaper.

 

[AngryBeaver]

I sold my restored 504 for 95 bucks.. teeth were like new..

you cannot add a swivel base to the 500 series vises. 500 series were fixed mount and the 600 series were swivel mount. the way the base was cast, there isn't enough material to drill and tap a 500 series to accept the swivel base. I had a 604 base for mine and after drilling, there was only one or 2 threads to hold the center swivel bolt.....

stationary mounts are much stronger... swivels are more overrated here than in real life.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Dan:
Thanks for he kind words. Nice thing about vise restorations is that it's an art. Everyone can use their skills to create unique pieces.

Your is to read all 3044+ pages of the Vises thread. There will be a quiz.

Angry:
Thanks for the clarification on the 500 series vises.

 

[Dan Cobian]

Gentlemen,

Begging your patience with one more question. As I was looking around the area (San Diego) one more time, I came across the following Yost for the same price ($60).

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/for/d/wilton-yost-vise/6435566425.html

Which one do you think is a better buy?

Thanks in advance!

 

[bluebolt]

The Columbian is better, those Yost's are utility vises and probably not even made in the USA.

 

[Dan Cobian]

The Columbian is better, those Yost's are utility vises and probably not even made in the USA.

Blue bolt,

Copy and thank you- I'll continue with the Columbian. wkndwarrior's vise motivated me.

 

[justtools]

I would not buy that for 60 dollars. Just send me his contact info so I can tell him it is over priced!!!

 

[bobcatdan]

The jaw inserts are replaceable, you just have to look really close. The older style is a sideways T shape held in by pins. Years of use it all just looks like one. If you wanted to change them, you have to make them. Can a swivel base be added, 99% sure, but good luck finding one. The price is a steal, go get it.

 

[AngryBeaver]

if you go look at the columbian, make sure the slide isn't cracked. a bunch Ive gotten have been cracked at the back from people using them as anvils.

also, flip it over, if there is a center divot then a swivel base cannot be added as there isn't enough material to hold the threads for the swivel center bolt. if it is perfectly flat, then you could drill and tap for a swivel base. mine had the divot.. so I have a 604 base if you decide you want to try and add a swivel to yours

 

[Dan Cobian]

Gentlemen,

Thanks for the advice- Picked up the vise and it is a beast! Can’t wait to clean it up. I did get it home and it seems to operate smoothly. When I tried to remove the dynamic jaw it seemed to meet meet some resistance and not come out all the way. Is there something I need to do or will I cause damage by continuing to go counterclockwise on the handle?

The videos i’ve been able to find skip this step...

Also, is one of the “balls” at the end of the handle removable? Again, this step has been omitted from the videos I have seen on restoring older Columbians.

Thanks again

 

[Dan Cobian]

Bobcatdan, I’ll take a closer look once I get it cleaned up- Thanks

 

[1982fxr]

Check the threads at the end of the leadscrew, sometimes they get dinged up and need to be cleaned a little. Some resistance at the very end is normal though.

 

[Dan Cobian]

Check the threads at the end of the leadscrew, sometimes they get dinged up and need to be cleaned a little. Some resistance at the very end is normal though.

Got it- I’ll check on it Thursday. I’m supposed to be on vacation right now, but I can’t get the vise out of my head... I may have a problem.

 

[Fretters]

Gentlemen,

When I tried to remove the dynamic jaw it seemed to meet meet some resistance and not come out all the way. Is there something I need to do or will I cause damage by continuing to go counterclockwise on the handle?

Remove whatever holds the screw inplace and take the screw out first. Then, you can slide the front jaw in & out by hand. Resistance is usually either due to burrs/damage on the slide, (back end seems to get most stick), else just the weight of the slide causing it to bind in the housing when it's almost out. You need to support the slide and keep it horizontal as you pull it out.

 

[Dan Cobian]

Remove whatever holds the screw inplace and take the screw out first. Then, you can slide the front jaw in & out by hand. Resistance is usually either due to burrs/damage on the slide, (back end seems to get most stick), else just the weight of the slide causing it to bind in the housing when it's almost out. You need to support the slide and keep it horizontal as you pull it out.

Fretters,

Thanks- It will be the first thing I check when I get home Wednesday night!

 

[1982fxr]

Yes good call on checking the slide. It’s going on two years since I stripped a vise. Wow.

 

[Dan Cobian]

Owed you guys some "after" photos- Your help was priceless-

Really happy with the finished/clear coated results

 

[Dan Cobian]

Another side

 

[Dan Cobian]

Front side

 

[Dan Cobian]

Back side

 

[wkndwarrior29]

Looks good Dan

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[ssdave]

Looks good. I like my 504 1/2; good solid vise.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Nicely done. It will serve you well.

 

[IndyGarage]

I have one similar to that - I think mine is a 6 inch. It's a big heavy vise, but mine has a pretty loose jaw.

It works fine - looked like somebody pounded the **** out of it before me and I've pounded the **** out of it for about 6 years and it's never missed a beat.

 

[rick carpenter]

3) Can I add swivel base later (I think so- Just to verify)?

If you want to fab a swivel base, maybe try one like the illustration. Bury a pipe flange into your benchtop as a pivot with only the pipe above the surface. Mount the vice to a circular steel plate with a hole to fit the pipe flange pipe. Use three bolts with beefy washers around the circular plate. Use a steel ring or something else to provide a level 'base' for the washers. Flush up the stationary jaw to line up with the benchtop edge, maybe cut the ring at the dashed line.

I mounted my 4" swivel Craftsman on a tongue bolted to the benchtop that extends about 3" out.

 

[Dan Cobian]

If you want to fab a swivel base, maybe try one like the illustration. Bury a pipe flange into your benchtop as a pivot with only the pipe above the surface. Mount the vice to a circular steel plate with a hole to fit the pipe flange pipe. Use three bolts with beefy washers around the circular plate. Use a steel ring or something else to provide a level 'base' for the washers. Flush up the stationary jaw to line up with the benchtop edge, maybe cut the ring at the dashed line.

I mounted my 4" swivel Craftsman on a tongue bolted to the benchtop that extends about 3" out.

Wow- Looks sounds good. For now i’ll Leave it as is, but thanks for sharing. I’ll definitely keep this in mind.

Thanks!