Damaged Wilton 400S for $25

[thundermug]

Found a damaged Wilton 400S from 1974 with a workbench for $25. Craigslist find. The guy said that he had received about 15 calls within a few minutes of posting. I was going to sell the vise and bench, but they fit nicely on the front porch. And the wife said I could keep it.

The bench is great. I posted that somewhere already. It was worth the $25 by itself. The Wilton, however, has seen some abuse and needs therapy.

Its missing an end cap pin (I can hear it rolling around inside), and the other pin was replaced with a carriage bolt. That will be fun to take out. Its missing one swivel lockdown nut. And the best part: a chunk of one of the jaw supports is gone.

For my purposes, it will do.

http://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/303976_603035211262_2061209198_n.jpg

http://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/384436_603035271142_1429234605_n.jpg

http://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/74833_603035311062_1934817513_n.jpg

http://sphotos-a.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/3452_603035370942_2118095095_n.jpg

 

[Davefr]

That find is worthy of a "you ****"!! That vise won't win a beauty contest but it looks totally usable.

I wonder how that chunk broke off. (beating on the jaw??) It looks like there's enough "meat" left to keep it adequately supported.

 

[Exceller8]

$25!, you're killing me! I really love that workbench and the vise is a major score at that price.

 

[gregthor]

You have a nice wife!!, no wonder why you have her on your avatar.

 

[Outlawmws]

That find is worthy of a "you ****"!! That vise won't win a beauty contest but it looks totally usable.

I wonder how that chunk broke off. (beating on the jaw??) It looks like there's enough "meat" left to keep it adequately supported.

I'd guess to broke beating on something downwards, Tt should be fine for normal gripping though. I don't think the jaw strength was compromised at all in that direction.

Great score! but I'm guessing SWMBO will be happier if you clean it up and paint it nice since its out on the patio...

 

[Outlawmws]

Swivel nut and handle:

Nut:
Carriage bolt up from the bottom for the “stud” get an all thread coupler (long nut about 1-1/2” to 2” long) the same thread. Cross drill it for about a 5/16 or 1/4” clearance hole.

Locking lever:
Get a 5-6” bolt either 5/16 or 1/4” (see above) also get a matching Jam nut. Grind the points off the hex of the bolt, and string it through the hole drilled in the coupler (above) and then run the jam nut down and jam it into the bottom of the threads of the bolt. Cut off most of the excess bolt. Peen the remainder into the nut flush as you can and file flat. Grind the points off the now captive Jam nut. You have just made a new locking lever and nut for the swivel base…

 

[thundermug]

Thanks for the restoration tips. I've been thinking about what color to paint it. Maybe industrial green. Haven't decided yet.