Columbian woodworking vise

[blstickley]

Picked up a "restored" vice only numbers I see are 5-CD and 4-R-2 with PC and a circle after it.... I have two questions one anyone know how to figure out manufacturing date? And two anyone have picture or dimensions on the original handle? As always thank you advance!!!

 

[exmaxima1]

If the handle ends stay on I'd say that was pretty clever!

 

[blstickley]

If the handle ends stay on I'd say that was pretty clever!

I just would rather it look more original I'm sure the conduit would work as wood any metal pipe

 

[exmaxima1]

I have had wood handles and metal tubes on my wood vises, and both work fine. I would suggest that you add rubber O-rings at both ends to cushion them. Or use a metal tube with cane tips for ends like my current configuration

 

[kbs2244]

a handle would be a good lathe project

 

[Renegade1LI]

Here is apic of a Morgan vise, very similar to your columbian, i also have the same one. As you can see the stock handle is 3/4” x 9”, it has end caps that are riveted on with two rubber washers. You may still be able to get a stock handle at Milwaukee vise. www.milwtool.com

 

[Shiftless]

Hey…this is GJ!

Turn a new handle from ash or hickory or buy a dowel and then thread the ends and screw on shop made balls fabricated from ebony or zebra wood, or some other exotic hardwood. If you don’t want to show off your wood threading skills, just turn down the ends of the dowel, drill a blind hole in the knob and epoxy in place.

Here is an espresso tamper somebody made. Getting inspired?

 

[GreyOwl]

I have no idea on the handle length but mine isa wood dowel about 12” long. The logo is a little different and the stamp is 7-CD

 

[Renegade1LI]

If you want to go wood i turned down some ipe dowels i think they are as strong as sch 40 pipe. I have a couple vises that need handles and the ipe with some turned ends wood be a nice fit, like in the pic but a little smaller.

 

[csp]

The original handle on my Columbian

 

[jmarkwolf]

My dad had a vise like that on his wood working bench when I was growing up, some 55 years ago. It had a lead pipe handle with pipe caps on the end.
He and I both were constantly getting our fingers pinched by the pipe caps. Eventually, he replaced the heavy lead pipe with a wooden handle with wood caps. No more pinches.
I still have that bench and vise to this day.

 

[exmaxima1]

My dad had a vise like that on his wood working bench when I was growing up, some 55 years ago. It had a lead pipe handle with pipe caps on the end.
He and I both were constantly getting our fingers pinched by the pipe caps. Eventually, he replaced the heavy lead pipe with a wooden handle with wood caps. No more pinches.
I still have that bench and vise to this day.

I can't believe anyone would use lead for a handle. Besides the excess weight, the idea of constantly handling a toxic metal makes my **** cringe.

 

[nutjob]

Here are 2 handle types that would work for your vise. The metal is the original.



Here is a NOS handle that would have come with a Craftsman vise of the same type




Kevin

 

[jmarkwolf]

I can't believe anyone would use lead for a handle. Besides the excess weight, the idea of constantly handling a toxic metal makes my **** cringe.

There was a time when millions of homes in America had lead pipes through which people got their drinking water. Dental fillings used to contain Mercury. House paint used to contain lead. We used to do lots of things before we knew better.
Do you smoke?

 

[nadogail]

When the city i lived in replaced their wooden water mains with (as i recall) plastic my buddies and I would gather all the lead pigtails that made the transition to the steel pipe feeding the house supply lines. We got as I recall a Dollar for each one we carried to the scrap yard.
At the time it was easy money for a kid.

 

[stihlcollector]

Restoring a 7-CD Colombian Vise: What do you lube the ACME threads with?
Graphite I assume but curious if anyone has a better suggestion.

Cleaned and Painted, ready for assembly.