First post! I have an OLD and rare Wilton...

[mattysdaddy]

Lots of pics now! First post! I have an OLD and rare Wilton...

I just joined GJ hoping to gain a little more information from some of you guys regarding my Wilton bullet vise I recently acquired. I have exhausted my research efforts and have determined that it is to the best of my knowledge an oddity. It is "Chicago" marked and also marked "Pat. Pend.", this leads me to believe that it was made in 1941. It must weigh 100 pounds.

I traded a fellow a Yost 33C for the Wilton because I have had an infatuation with these bullet vises for several years now and I finally have one. I would appreciate your comments.

The left side of the vise is marked "Wilton Tool Corp" "Chicago" and the right side is marked "Wilton Vise No 60" "Pat Pend Made in USA".

Of course, it's good to be here guys. I appreciate your knowledge. I can take more pics if there is anything you would like to see. It is currently sitting on an old towel on the kitchen counter! How redneck is that? My wife is less than pleased with its current location...

 

[95riosnake]

Any pictures? Sounds like it's a beast! There are a bunch of guys on here who are very familiar with old Wiltons, they will probably have no problem identifying it

 

[mattysdaddy]

Pics should be working now...

 

[In The Doghouse]

Very nice, neighbor. Welcome to GJ.

 

[b7labelle]

Bad ***! These vises are my favorite.

 

[WhoWhatNow]

Not just an early Wilton but a swivel jaw too. Very nice.

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

The swivel jaw is cool, I think I've only seen one in the vise thread. Try posting it over there too.

 

[uniballer]

Nice! Can I have it?

 

[mattysdaddy]

So the $64 question is, do I need to restore this vise to all of its former glory and pass it on to a serious collector? While I appreciate the quality, this vise may simply be overkill for me. I could picture it cleaned up and mounted on a stout workbench in my shop or I may let it go. The Yost 33C I traded sells for $800 now. Not sure what this Wilton would fetch if you could ever find one… Anyone have a rough idea of what it may be worth in its present state? There are absolutely no cracks, repairs, or welds like some old ones exhibit. There are a few dings on top from someone using it as an anvil at one point in time but that may clean up...

 

[drivesitfar]

that vise is awesome. I have owned maybe 10 wiltons and haven't owned one with a swivel jaw yet. seen a few in pictures, but not pictures this nice and close up. if you have been looking for a wilton and this was your first one you should be proud because it still looks like it has original paint.

did you also pull out the dynamic jaw all the way and see a date on the bottom of the slide? you'll have to wipe some gunk off for it to appear if it's still there. any chance you can add another awesome picture or two with the swivel jaw off and maybe in a different position with it closed? i'm guessing maybe a 5 inch wide jaw since it weighs about 100 pounds?

you might also post a picture in the Vise thread where there are more of the real Wilton experts watching that thread and get their opinion. Trade for my restored C1? can you get Master's tickets??

two thumbs up and especially for your first post!!

 

[mattysdaddy]

that vise is awesome. I have owned maybe 10 wiltons and haven't owned one with a swivel jaw yet. seen a few in pictures, but not pictures this nice and close up. if you have been looking for a wilton and this was your first one you should be proud because it still looks like it has original paint.

did you also pull out the dynamic jaw all the way and see a date on the bottom of the slide? you'll have to wipe some gunk off for it to appear if it's still there. any chance you can add another awesome picture or two with the swivel jaw off and maybe in a different position with it closed? i'm guessing maybe a 5 inch wide jaw since it weighs about 100 pounds?

you might also post a picture in the Vise thread where there are more of the real Wilton experts watching that thread and get their opinion. Trade for my restored C1? can you get Master's tickets??

two thumbs up and especially for your first post!!

It's actually a six inch wide jaw and it opens to a full nine inches… I'll be happy to post more pics. Look for them tomorrow. I have to hit the bed. 6:00 comes early...

 

[RatchetMan]

Auctions are a funny thing but if you put that on eBay I could see it going for $250-300, maybe a little more if some of these Wilton vise fans go at it and bid the price up. It's definitely less common than other Wilton models.

Frankly, unless it doesn't suit your needs, I would just bolt it down and use it.

 

[The Ratchet Man]

So the $64 question is, do I need to restore this vise to all of its former glory and pass it on to a serious collector? While I appreciate the quality, this vise may simply be overkill for me. I could picture it cleaned up and mounted on a stout workbench in my shop or I may let it go. The Yost 33C I traded sells for $800 now. Not sure what this Wilton would fetch if you could ever find one… Anyone have a rough idea of what it may be worth in its present state? There are absolutely no cracks, repairs, or welds like some old ones exhibit. There are a few dings on top from someone using it as an anvil at one point in time but that may clean up...

I would keep that if I were you. If you seriously want to sell it, I'm seriously right down the road. I'm right outside of Macon.

Nice first post and Welcome to GJ.

 

[wrenchguy]

ch logo, is that harrison castings? thanks.

 

[Alexbn921]

Welcome to GJ. Cool old wilton. It I were you I would take it apart and clean/lube it and then mount in on your bench. It is in to nice of condition to restore. They also sell swivel hold downs for pretty cheap. I know there are guys on here that have been looking for a vice like you found for years. Hold on to it.

 

[Steven67fr]

With just a little cleaning that thing will be BEAUTIFUL - no need at all for a resto - that thing's perfect!!!

If I were you I'd keep it - pass it along to kids and grand kids

Welcome!

 

[bluebolt]

You will be driving the Wilton collectors nuts with that vise. Swivel jaw bullets are rare and your very early 6" one is probably extremely rare. I would not change any hardware, considering the condition and how old it is it may all be original. Price on Ebay for that could go insane. You may also trade it for TWO regular Wilton large bullets to some of the vise guys on here.

 

[ajchien]

You will be driving the Wilton collectors nuts with that vise. Swivel jaw bullets are rare and your very early 6" one is probably extremely rare. I would not change any hardware, considering the condition and how old it is it may all be original. Price on Ebay for that could go insane. You may also trade it for TWO regular Wilton large bullets to some of the vise guys on here.

I agree with this ^^^^^ sentiment.

1) Its in good condition with everything seemingly original
2) Chicago made, with logo says its very early the Wilton lineage.
3) swivel rear jaw
4) Pretty good size.

If the right collectors are watching, that could be very lucrative.

 

[bluebolt]

Putting a value on that vise is hard because of so few swivel jaw Wiltons being out there. None sold recently on Ebay. Comparable non swivel jaw Wiltons are about $500 on Ebay. Were it mine and I was selling it on Ebay minimum bid would be $600.

 

[mattysdaddy]

they are really going to go insane when I post some detailed pics… I disassembled the swivel jaw and took several pics. If I can get flickr to work, we will have some fun this evening… ;-)

 

[mattysdaddy]

OK folks, here's what you have been asking for…

Here's the first batch...

 

[mattysdaddy]

and now a few more…

 

[bluebolt]

The new pics show how nice that vise really is! I love the machining marks on the swivel jaw mating surfaces.

 

[-Brent-]

Wow, great old Wilton.

For those in the know, I've got a question: What was the reasoning for the swivel back? I can't think of any time I would have needed that in all my time using a vise. I'd love to know more.

 

[mattysdaddy]

I wish flickr would play nice. maybe you guys will get to see all of the pics if it decides to work right. Brent, it was told to me that the swivel jaw was for gripping triangular shaped items. I have never had the need for a swivel jaw either… I just happened upon this one!

 

[3xpendable]

Wow very nice vise! Welcome to garage journal! Where a bouts in August are you I'm out in Evans. Nice to see someone from around here on GJ

 

[mattysdaddy]

Wow very nice vise! Welcome to garage journal! Where a bouts in August are you I'm out in Evans. Nice to see someone from around here on GJ

Right here in Martinez...

 

[bigcaddy]

If you are still looking for a ballpark price, this might help. Another member on here acquired a smaller 4.5" SJ and had it gone through with the help of a nearby GJ member that makes vise parts. Once it was all cleaned up and looking brand new, it went up for auction.

Keep in mind, his was beautifully restored with new jaws and other parts. It was much newer, approx 20+ years and a smaller jaw width. It nearly hit 600.00

Keep your vise the way it is and put it away in a safe place. I've got a decent sized collection and its money in the bank.

 

[mattysdaddy]

We just weighed the old Wilton and it tipped the scales at 109.2 pounds!

 

[mattysdaddy]

Now, I am crating it up and getting ready to ship it to the Smithsonian! Not really, but I have a lot of thinking to do. A new C-2 or C-3 looks awful tempting...

 

[Steven67fr]

Now, I am crating it up and getting ready to ship it to the Smithsonian! Not really, but I have a lot of thinking to do. A new C-2 or C-3 looks awful tempting...

I'd just keep this old one and put it to use (assuming you won't be grinding and welding it).

You won't find another like it. Might be one of those things that once it's gone you'd regret it down the road.

 

[drivesitfar]

I think I mentioned that the guys in the vise thread might like your Wilton. I think you might have filled up a full page with your pictures, but i'm sure they enjoyed them as much as I did. now that you showed the swivel is clean and works I would use it carefully and maybe have another less expensive vise to do some excessive work on if you need to. don't sell it and get a new vise because they will depreciate and i'm not sure this one will.
now I offered a restored 1957 C1 of mine so that offer still stands and if you have a couple master tickets i'll include my Wilton 6 inch tradesman and fly them out to you the first week of April. and i'll pay face value for the Master tickets.

It's a very nice vise and thanks for the pictures. by the way you probably should move it off the kitchen counter and into a nice spot in a closet or the garage. Happy Wife, Happy Life and maybe she'll let you buy another vise.

Cheers

 

[KF5LCH]

Amazing piece of history you have there. It's in mint condition to boot.

I just couldn't bring myself to sell it if it were mine. Chances are you'll never be able to own another like it in that good of shape.

VERY, VERY nice. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Flivver250]

Your vise pictures might well make GJ Playmate of the month!

 

[fatfillup]

Your vise pictures might well make GJ Playmate of the month!

Now that is funny and ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,oh so true!!


Absolutely stunning vise and your pics are outstanding.

I can offer no idea on value though I know it is quite desirable and marketable.

As to whether to sell, trade or keep, I will offer my opinion. If it were mine, it would be sold because i am too hard on things to keep nice valuable stuff for myself and I buy and sell tools as a business. If you on the other hand, can use it gently, preserve its condition and enjoy bragging rights, keep it,,,,,,,,,at least for a while,,,,,,,,,,no rush to sell. Then after the enjoyment wanes, sell or trade at that time.

 

[Lightfoot]

I'd clean that beauty up, put it back together and use it. I think a new paint job would take away from it's personality.
remember-they are only original once.

 

[Diesel Dan]

How do you not grind, weld and hammer on a vise that big?
My shop is a working shop and I'd have a hard time not using it.

BTW, very cool vise!

 

[383 240z]

I'm sorry, I just don't get it. Yep its a good old tool, bolt it to a bench and use it. Never understood restoring tools and never using them. If it is worth $1000 to some body, and you need a vise, then sell it. If you have a vise, and don't need the $1000 then by all means keep it.

I've got a nice Wilton bullet on my welding table, I feel no pain when I clamp something in it and have to chisel or torch on it. It's a tool bought to make my life easier, nothing more, nothing less. It was built in the 60's has worked hard all it's life and will continue to do so as long as I don't abuse it. You buy it right, and youe have it forever. Keith

 

[Farmall450]

I too would keep this beauty.

 

[mattysdaddy]

Guys, thanks for the comments! Y'all certianly are not making my decision easy. I will likely grease it up. Crate it, and store it. If someone contacts me that just has to have it, maybe I will let it go. Right now, I will just sit on it and get it out of the kitchen! Now, I need to find a suitable replacement for the Yost 33C that I traded. So, I am currently viseless... :-(

I am sure that if I do decide to get rid of this one, there will be the odd fellow who has a massive Wilton C-3 that they would like to trade me... I really feel like my old vise should go to one of the serious Wilton vise collectors. I am going to leave it with its original paint in all of its glory for the person who might one day want it. If that person doesn't come along, I may end up gently using it myself in my home shop.

Drivesitfar - I'll let you know if I get a line on Masters tickets. Even for residents of Augusta, it is tough...