Columbian Vise Jaw Insert Replacements - Help Needed

[The_Geologist]

I recently picked up a Columbian vise and am looking for replacement jaw inserts for it. I paid $15, so I'm not into it for all that much money yet.

I am hoping the collective knowledge of the GJ can help me out on finding these jaw inserts, as well as finding out how old the vise itself might be.

It isn't that heavy - maybe 40 pounds. So I know it may not be of the highest quality, but it isn't something I am going to be beating on or using to bend things anyway. It will work perfectly for what I am going to do with it. It's better than the little mystery 4.5" vise I have!

It's labeled as a D6 vise, though I don't know how old it is. I suspect it isn't that old. Underneath, there is a number: 78655-03. Not sure what it means. It isn't marked "China" like I have seen in other photos of similar looking Columbian vises, if that means anything to anyone.

View media item 102740
For what it is, I think its in great shape. No one has beaten the heck out of it. The only damage worth noting is the broken jaw insert. The swivel base works just fine, and locks just fine.

View media item 102741
I'm not sure what the 95 visible in the picture means...could it be a manufacturing year?

View media item 102742
Here's what remains of the broken jaw insert. The screws were fine, though, and came out easily.

View media item 102743
I haven't had trouble finding inserts that are the right size (6.5" wide by 0.75" tall by 0.375" thick with a 2.5" distance between hole centers). I have had trouble finding inserts with the screw holes offset like shown in the photo.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide

 

[vjquan]

These were made by Wilton and were also made under the Craftsman name. You can contact their customer support line for parts.
https://www.wiltontools.com/us/en/service-and-support/customer-support/

 

[1982fxr]

Yeah that's pretty new. The older ones had made in USA under the big number on the dynamic jaw.

They probably had China on the box, which I believe technically satisfied the label law.

 

[Fierljeppen]

Here's the only source I could find for that vise. Not cheap, but it's from a very trusted seller that is also a GJ member. I'd guess that your vise is about 15 years old.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Craftsman-...:USPSPriorityMailSmallFlatRateBox!60185!US!-1

 

[The_Geologist]

Thank you all for your suggestions! This is why I enjoy this forum so much.

Looking forward to getting this vise installed on the workbench and putting it to good use.

 

[Formerjeeper]

I have a similar Columbian vise, would appreciate knowing what you decide on and how it works out. In the meantime I'm leaning towards the ebay link posted by Fierljeppen.

 

[The_Geologist]

I have a similar Columbian vise, would appreciate knowing what you decide on and how it works out. In the meantime I'm leaning towards the ebay link posted by Fierljeppen.

I'll be happy to post back with that info. Thanks for asking!

 

[Packard V8]

Hard to imagine why a great old name such as Columbian, bought out by another great old name such as Wilton would put such POS jaws on their more recent vises. About half of those I see have broken jaws.

I just picked up a "Made in USA" version of that vise for cheap because it had no jaws. Fabricating new jaws wasn't too difficult, once suitable stock was found.

jack vines

 

[larry4406]

McMaster Carr offers vice jaw inserts. Perhaps you can measure yours and compare them to those listed?
https://www.mcmaster.com/vise-jaws/bench-vises/

 

[The_Geologist]

Thanks for the suggestions!

I ended up going with these: https://www.ebay.com/itm/WILTON-COL...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

They are sold by the eBay seller that Fierljeppen suggested above. They just don't have the notches on the one side (which I don't really need).

The cost was about the same as what McMaster-Carr had on theirs that I found.

When they arrive, I'll compare them to what I have on the vise, and will post back with an update.

 

[vjquan]

Did you ever contact Wilton customer service?

 

[The_Geologist]

Did you ever contact Wilton customer service?

No, I haven't, mainly because it looks like the ones I ordered will work.

If I end up being wrong, then I will go that route.

 

[The_Geologist]

Well, I see that I completely forgot about this thread from over a year ago.

Time for an update. I installed the replacement inserts sometime last fall and they fit perfectly. I haven't used the vise all that much since then, but it has worked fine overall.

I need to take some pics and post them, for those that might still be interested. Hopefully that will happen this weekend, and not take another year!

 

[1320stang]

Do you still have the other good jaw? Lol

 

[The_Geologist]

As a matter of fact, I do still have it. It isn't pretty, but it is in one piece.

 

[1320stang]

Saving it in case one of the new ones break?

 

[The_Geologist]

Sorry for my slow reply!

From your photo, it looks like you need it more than I do, so if you want it, it is all yours!

I don't have a need for it taking up space in my cabinet. I'd rather see it get used instead of rusting away in storage.

Feel free to PM me your address, and I'll get it sent out later this week. No cost to you.