Columbian D43 1/2 Vise base question

[Onator]

I posted the below the other day but in the wrong category (rookie mistake) Any thoughts out there on if a Columbian 3040 base will work on a D43 1/2? I’ve found a 3040 base but no luck on a D43...

“Hi, I’m going to tackle refurbishing my fathers Columbian vise and looking for some information from those that have done this job before. Overall its in good shape, but needs some clean-up so thought that I’d take it all the way down to the metal and repaint it. The problem I do have it that the base is missing. If I recall, we had broke one of the mounting holes, took it off and set it aside. Now of course, I cannot locate it... My dad probably know exactly where it is - but he’s now gone to the great garage in the sky

Here’s my question. Without the original base as a reference and limited pictures available online, can someone tell me if the 3040 base is the same as used on the 43? It appears to be the same size but a different casting?

With the pictures that are available, it looks like the 43 had more of a solid/flat base? I’d appreciate any thoughts you all have.

Thanks and Merry Christmas!”

 

[Roberts210]

I don't know, but I'll tell you a lost and found story. In 2015 a very good friend gave me 2 vintage, heavy, solid-copper saucepans. These had been made in France, and go for $300+ each on fleabay. She just gave 'em to me. I moved across half the U.S. the summer of 2015, and thought for sure I'd packed the pans up, and put them into a storage cabinet in my barn. By 2018 I had my new kitchen up and running, and looked in the storage cabinet for the pans... and they were gone. Now a buddy of mine, who is a rabid, scrap-metal recycler had a key to my barn, and I thought it was possible he'd found 'em and had sold 'em for scrap. But I looked high and low, all through my barn for them. I have a lot of shelves and trunks in my barn, on two floors, and I looked through them all. No pans. For the next two years, every couple of months, I'd tear things apart, both in my house, and in the barn, looking for those pans. No luck. But one night I did dream I'd found them. Still, the months passed and they were nowhere to be seen. I kept looking all the places where I'd already searched, knowing they wouldn't be there, but hoping... hoping.

Well, the first floor of my barn gets almost no sunlight--there is only one small set of windows in the front, and one day, with the aid of a flashlight I was searching for some C-clamps back in the very back of the barn... I stood on a lower shelf, craned my neck to check the very back of the top shelf... and there the pans were! I must have deliberately hidden them so my buddy the metal scrapper wouldn't find 'em. I almost didn't find 'em either. So I urge you to search high and low, and don't give up. Take your time, and tear apart the entire place where you might have set it aside.

 

[Onator]

Thats super cool you found them again! Sadly and in my case, it is gone and I have to locate a replacement.

 

[Roberts210]

I just spent some time looking at online images or D43-1/2 vises, and 3040 vises. The 3040 base might just fit. There's one on fleabay for $29 with free shipping. If it doesn't work you could always resell it.

 

[Onator]

That’s the exact one I was looking at. Part of me wants to hold out for an exact replacement...

 

[Zrxrunner]

I have this 43 i would part with if you think it would work. Its not perfect, but the base is solid and would be some spare parts. Let me know if u think it would help.

 

[Onator]

Hi, Thanks for your PM. With the “rookie” status I have on the site, I can’t do PM’s until I’ve done 10 posts so I have to respond here.

Hi, Sorry, been busy doing Christmas things. Thank you for responding. Any idea what you’re asking and what shipping would be to MN? The other question I have is if the base is a size match? While I can’t post photos yet (rookie status here), I did measure the base of my vise and it measures 4 1/4” across. Its hard to tell in your pictures, do you thing the top of that mount is 4 1/4” ? Thanks!

 

[Zrxrunner]

Ill get some better measurements next trip to the shop. 40 degree temp drop from last night to this morning! Midwest weather, huh? Just do a few quick posts on this thread and u shud be able to open up more posting options too.

 

[Onator]

Thanks and take your time. It was 44 here yesterday am - by 4pm it was snowing sideways and Blizzard Warnings... Merry Christmas- There now I just need 3 more posts!

 

[Zrxrunner]

Think it moght actually be smaller. This base is 4" at the most. Ill take it apart timorrow just to be sure and post another pic