Columbian Vises: history and reliability thread.

[Tas biker]

I just picked up an old Columbian Model No. 144-A. I don't see any reference from the info in this thread. Will attach a photo in a few.

 

[hoponit]

did you find any info on how old your 505 vise is? I am new to this site. I have a 505m columbian howe vise, that was my grandfathers. I am trying to find out how old this vise is. and any info on the vise company.

 

[63spyder]

I have three bench vices and two wood vises for wood working bench. The one ,504 1/2 ,has been in our home shop since I was 15, so for forty seven years it's been beat on abused and totally miss treated. It,s jaws are beaten smooth. I've pressed an unknown amount of u joints . And it still works great, a little sloppy ,but it's great vise. The green one 505, I just got, its like new ,nice and tight with nice sharp jaws

 

[drivesitfar]

HOPONIT: welcome to GJ first of all.

as far as the age of your gramp's 505 you'd need to maybe post up a few pictures. to do that you'll need a few more posts so go on other threads that interest you and ask questions or if you like what you read just say WELL DONE or a few of your own good words.

then you can come back here and post up a few pictures. is the end of your gramp's old vise round like a tennis ball or more like a cylinder or piston? does it have any other stamps with letters or #'s on the sides of your vise?

 

[kald]

What was the original color? I believe my 604 1/2 is pre-WWII.

I painted my 604 1/2 a blue-green similar to a Makita color. It was a Dark Green when I got it. I don't recall if I thought that the dark green was the original color.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=155605


GG Member Catalyze is a Columbian resource but he has not been around the site in a while.

 

[1foxracing]

This is my 504 I repainted with Hammerite deep green.

 

[b.well]

I am looking at a Columbian vise right now but the picture is only from above(and of a whole table) and the model the seller gave me is 3 1/2. Seems all the Columbian model numbers are more characters. This one is Red, came with the house when this guy bought it, believes it's the original paint.

Is that 3 1/2 a valid model number?
Is that older or newer than the 3 digit numbers?

Thanks!

 

[davethorik]

Show us the pic.

 

[GalaxyRat]

Here is my Columbian HDWE 504M. The only question I have is about what the "M" designates? I was thinking "Machinist". Anyone got an idea? No chips, cracks, or bends. This will be my next project to restore. Hopefully I will be able to keep the original paint/jappaning on it.

Also, I'll get it off the bench soon and update this post with a weight.

Sent from my SM-G973U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[PSCo1867]

I picked up an old Columbian HDWE Co. #504M vise last summer. It's not the prettiest one out there, but it gets the job done.

Hey, I'm digging up an old post, but I don't think this one is in the spreadsheet. Also, it's a Columbian "Hardware" which I believe are not too common. Cool vise!

 

[I_like_tools]

Very nice old vise

 

[I_like_tools]

Wow that’s green

 

[I_like_tools]

I’ve been looking for one like this, can’t find a good condition or price near me.

 

[I_like_tools]

I just bought this vise, and was wondering when it may have been made? Also maybe the value on it? I don’t plan on reselling it just curious since I paid $100 for it. 5 inch jaws.

 

[ed4banger]

A hollow casting was not unique to the Columbians. I've seen quite a few, Wilton bullets come to mind first, as seen in attached cut-away pic. I do not believe this makes them inferior, but vise weight does reinforce the idea of vise strength. This 4-1/2" Columbian/Craftsman is one I repainted last year, and I guess it would be basically same as an M2 or M3.

 

[drivesitfar]

I LIKE TOOLS: I don't like to talk about value and pricing here on GJ and I don't shop EBAY so I really don't know what is fair for your old Columbian. what I can tell you is that it might have been made in Japan (they made some good vises for Columbian though) or it might be a made in USA version.

can you flip over the vise and see if there is MADE IN JAPAN on the underside of your vise?

i've seen more than a few handy guys have that same vise on their workbench so it should serve you well until you find something better if you need one.

here's a link to the Vise Repair 101 thread if you need any help cleaning up your vise or want some information on what grease to use (Mobile one is a good choice) or rust removal.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=252830

WELCOME TO GJ!!

 

[drivesitfar]

ED: i know some of the Columbian vises have hollow jaws, but not sure that old Crowntop of yours does. or do you know for sure that it is hollow?

 

[ed4banger]

ED: i know some of the Columbian vises have hollow jaws, but not sure that old Crowntop of yours does. or do you know for sure that it is hollow?

I have a couple Craftsman/Columbians of the Crowntop era, they are hollow castings.

 

[drivesitfar]

thanks

 

[DonTen]

I picked up this old 504 today. I thought I would add it to this thread

 

[RomanLotus]

Hi guys. Can anyone tell me the approximate year of this Columbian vise i just picked up? Thanks

 

[Petz]

Can anyone tell me the model abs even approx value of this?

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

that's an import. They sell those under several names including Wilton. Most on here don't put much value on those at all. Before I got into vises I had one of those on my bench for years. It did everything I needed it to. I took it apart to pass onto a friend and the build quality and materials were laughable compared to the American made vises I have now. If you just need a vise and don't do any heavy work I'd say less than $50. For any more than that I'd scour craigslist and other online sellers for an older American vise. I hope this helps.

 

[drivesitfar]

Pets: other than the handle bent in several directions that Columbian looks in decent shape. I typically call these the Chinese Wonder Vise. Yes some of these CWV vises made in China under about 20+ brands might have more bondo than steel in them. The Taiwan versions seem to be older and better made. wilton/Columbian versions are a decent but still not a heavy duty vise.
I’ve yet to find anybody that is using one of these that doesn’t love theirs.
I just saw that Wilton’s are selling new for $230 and last time I checked they were about $150 a few years ago. If the one you are looking at or own doesn’t have cracks from being used probably as a press with the handle looking like it is I’d say $75-100 but check your local market cause that’s just what PNW market might bring.

 

[BB8]

Picked this up today for next to nothing, doesnt have a swivel base. Anyone have any info on this? It's rusty but fully working, the thread looks near perfect.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

Picked this up today for next to nothing, doesnt have a swivel base. Anyone have any info on this? It's rusty but fully working, the thread looks near perfect.

That's a nice Columbian with the almost never included pipe jaws to boot! Those could have come with or without the swivel base. it's not necessarily missing. You did well if you got it cheap! Welcome to GJ!

 

[BB8]

That's a nice Columbian with the almost never included pipe jaws to boot! Those could have come with or without the swivel base. it's not necessarily missing. You did well if you got it cheap! Welcome to GJ!

Thanks for the reply. Cost me £10 couldn't believe it! Just going to clean it up and put it to good use.

 

[drivesitfar]

BB: nice find!! Since your vise only has one hole where the swivel lock would have been to mount it would be tough. You can drill another hole in the cast and mount with two bolts cause finding another base might be tough on your side of the big pond.

If you can weld maybe the best option is making a stand for it and welding your vise to the stand and then you’d have 350 degree access. Good luck!!

 

[BB8]

BB: nice find!! Since your vise only has one hole where the swivel lock would have been to mount it would be tough. You can drill another hole in the cast and mount with two bolts cause finding another base might be tough on your side of the big pond.

If you can weld maybe the best option is making a stand for it and welding your vise to the stand and then you’d have 350 degree access. Good luck!!

No holes whatsoever, if you look at the close up pic you can see a large threaded bar underneath and the large wing nut is to secure. I'm gathering I should just be able to loosen the nut, move and re-tighten. Thanks for the reply!

 

[drivesitfar]

Sorry I was looking on my iPhone. Yes it’s the old bolt thru swivel type so probably left factory in early 1900’s. That swivel is pretty hard to use so you might still want to weld it to a stand as a user or see how you like using that swivel action. Or put on a shelf and keep it as a collectible.

 

[Fierljeppen]

Picked this up today for next to nothing, doesnt have a swivel base. Anyone have any info on this? It's rusty but fully working, the thread looks near perfect.

Based on the casting and jaws, I feel confident that you have a beautiful (1918-1926) Columbian vise m# 203-1/2. You are correct, with regard to missing the swivel base, but everything else seems to be there. The following catalog scan is from 1918.



Your vise is extremely rare and I'd encourage you to keep it as original as possible. Even though it could still be a good user, it has more historical than user value. Congratulations on a very meaningful vintage vise find!

 

[BB8]

Based on the casting and jaws, I feel confident that you have a beautiful (1918-1926) Columbian vise m# 203-1/2. You are correct, with regard to missing the swivel base, but everything else seems to be there. The following catalog scan is from 1918.



Your vise is extremely rare and I'd encourage you to keep it as original as possible. Even though it could still be a good user, it has more historical than user value. Congratulations on a very meaningful vintage vise find!

Many thanks,
I thought it was missing a swivel as the base is not flush,and i gathered those raised bits would be for locking into a swivel base.
Restoration is literally only going to be the removal of rust and the flaking paint ( with care) then a good lube. I wonder how this ended up in in Northern Ireland?
You say historically valuable so what really should I do with it? Not wanting to sell or even know a value, I just love the way old tools are solidly built to last and look great

 

[drivesitfar]

I doubt you’d get $100 for it here but since it would cost at least that and maybe twice that amount to get it on your side unless some guy put it in his luggage it is more rare on your side. You can make a plate and use a bolt if you have any with that thread and size and use it. Or keep it as a shelf queen and it would be a great shop talk item.

FJ: thanks for the history!!

 

[Shiftless]

Yep, I too vote shelf queen.
I too have one of those hundred year old “mount through the hole in your bench” vises. Mine is a Parker Monarch lion head. I drilled a hole in a shelf and mounted it there.
The big wing nut for the bottom is almost always missing. Having one for yours is GREAT!

 

[Fierljeppen]

Many thanks,
I thought it was missing a swivel as the base is not flush,and i gathered those raised bits would be for locking into a swivel base.

Restoration is literally only going to be the removal of rust and the flaking paint ( with care) then a good lube. I wonder how this ended up in in Northern Ireland?

You say historically valuable so what really should I do with it?Not wanting to sell or even know a value, I just love the way old tools are solidly built to last and look great.

The Columbian Hardware Co., as well as most of the major American vise mfg's, had been exporting vises since 1900 and before to England and other countries in Europe. So, no one should be surprised to find an old American vise turning up anywhere in Europe, including Northern Ireland.



As far as what to do with it. I'm a collector of American vises, so my advise is very biased.

If you like historical and rare tools, your vise would be a great item to showcase somewhere. There are certainly vise collectors over here that would be interested in your vise, but shipping could be an issue. Kudos to you for keeping it original, which will always give you the highest value in a trade or sale.

Ultimately, at the price you paid, you win no matter what you do with it.

 

[PSCo1867]

Hey vise spreadsheet gurus: please add "Username Already In Use" post #18 COLUMBIAN HDWE CO. NO. 504M,
or "GalaxyRats" post #49 COLUMBIAN HDWE CO. No. 504M..........and "BB8" post #65 COLUMBIAN HDWE CO. CAT. NO. 203 1/2
to the spreadsheet when you can. The Vise Spreadsheet is, indeed, an epic work in progress.

 

[KMScott]

Hey vise spreadsheet gurus: please add "Username Already In Use" post #18 COLUMBIAN HDWE CO. NO. 504M,
or "GalaxyRats" post #49 COLUMBIAN HDWE CO. No. 504M..........and "BB8" post #65 COLUMBIAN HDWE CO. CAT. NO. 203 1/2
to the spreadsheet when you can. The Vise Spreadsheet is, indeed, an epic work in progress.

Spreadsheet guy here, please explain or send me a pm.

 

[brucea.schweigert@gma]

Well I finally ran into one - a broken Columbian 504M vise.

Oddly though, it was the leadscrew that sheared in half, nothing to do with the casting. Interestingly, the handle is not bend like a pretzel. The previous owner says he was just clamping a piece of metal by hand and it kept turning but not tightening. The story was he got it from his dad who had it in their workshop in the 1950s. The vise body had been hammered on a bit, but no casting failure. But I had to carefully file the slide for half an hour to disassemble it.

My first guess is it was a fatigue failure, possibly cased by a defect in the screw? The screw failed at the location right in front of the nut when the vise is closed.

Sadly, Columbian used a 7/8-4 acme looking thread, which does not look to be available. A standard thread is 7/8-6 and that thread is available. I'll put a wanted posting in the Vise Parts Swap thread and see if there are any Craftsman/Columbian screws available. None on Ebay. Is there another source I should look at?

I believe the thread is not Acme, but square. look at it from the side, and if the threads have strait sides, then it is square. found in a co-workers machinist handbook, my peg leg vise is 1&3/8 X 3 square thread.

 

[Blasirl]

I recently purchased a Columbian (Warren Tool Company / Wilton Tool Company) No. 3 1/2, Type No. 63-3 bench vice. I cannot tell if it is the original paint as it seems there may be two colors. I am also looking to replace the jaw inserts if they can be found. I paid $12 for it and thought it might be a good deal. No luck in locating any documentation so far.

 

[Blasirl]

I recently purchased a Columbian (Warren Tool Company / Wilton Tool Company) No. 3 1/2, Type No. 63-3 bench vice. I cannot tell if it is the original paint as it seems there may be two colors. I am also looking to replace the jaw inserts if they can be found. I paid $12 for it and thought it might be a good deal. No luck in locating any documentation so far.

I just ran across this same vice in just as good condition for $4.