Help Identify Vise

[DpauldD]

I've recently acquired an old vise and cannot find any identifying marks on it. Any tips on how to determine brand/model/year? It has a 5" jaw and best-guess weight is about 75lbs. I want to refurbish it and would like to find instructions/parts, etc.

 

[hammergodthor]

Harbor Freight. Sometimes also labeled Wilton, but still made in China.

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-inch-multi-purpose-vise-67415.html

 

[Zrexxer]

Yeah, more than likely your basic Chinese UVSO... Universal Vise-Shaped Object.

 

[Outlawmws]

Probably an Asian import, as many companies made that style opvrt the past 30+ years, unless the maker cast in a name somewhere, or possibly stamped it, there is no telling for sure. I've seen older ones made in the US, but VERY few are around.

Get all the crud off, and see what you find. if Asian, don't be surprised if you find bondo under it filling in casting imperfections.

 

[DpauldD]

The Harbor Freight does look similar. However, the one I have seems to be made of forged steel vs cast iron (I have a cast iron vise and the metal properties are totally different.). I'll try to clean it up and see what I can find...

 

[leg17]

The Harbor Freight does look similar. However, the one I have seems to be made of forged steel vs cast iron (I have a cast iron vise and the metal properties are totally different.). I'll try to clean it up and see what I can find...

Interesting

Looks like you found the "real deal" that all the copies are based on.
Nice find.

 

[SweetD]

It does seem to have a beefire look to it that the typical Chi-com ones.

I hope you found the real deal - definitely let us know what you find out!

Dave

 

[Zrexxer]

I'm interested to know how you've arrived at the conclusion that it's forged steel.

Someone, somewhere in history may have forged a bench vise, but I haven't heard of one. A perhaps more likely possibility by a slim margin would be cast steel, although I doubt that's been used in the US in the last century.

Much more likely would be that it's made from cast ductile iron (also called spheroidal or nodular iron) as are almost all high-end, expensive vises produced by companies like Wilton and Yost. And of course, there's always the low end, cast grey iron. But you'd be hard pressed to tell any of them apart by looking.

 

[RobRace10]

I'm interested to know how you've arrived at the conclusion that it's forged steel.

Someone, somewhere in history may have forged a bench vise, but I haven't heard of one. A perhaps more likely possibility by a slim margin would be cast steel, although I doubt that's been used in the US in the last century.

Much more likely would be that it's made from cast ductile iron (also called spheroidal or nodular iron) as are almost all high-end, expensive vises produced by companies like Wilton and Yost. And of course, there's always the low end, cast grey iron. But you'd be hard pressed to tell any of them apart by looking.

There are forged vises out there. The current Ridgid (Peddinghaus) vises have forged front and rear jaws. These forgings are then welded to steel plate to turn the vise into it's shape. They do not have jaw inserts like Wilton's do as the jaw serrations are machined into the forgings.

RIDGID® Peddinghaus vices reknowned for quality and durability, produced in Germany for over 100 years
Features:

Rolled twin start Acme thread for precise operation and longevity
All forged steel construction 3 times stronger than cast iron
Hardened and serrated jaws for maximum durability

 

[RobRace10]

Yeah, more than likely your basic Chinese UVSO... Universal Vise-Shaped Object.

I agree, a basic rotary head Chinese vise, lots of these made in various weights. It does look like an earlier version. The typical Wilton ones at retail are lighter duty and so many factories made these, probably impossibble to get the exact replacement parts.

 

[Harvey Melvin Richards]

It may be an Asian vise, but it's still a lot better than NO vise. I know, I have had one like it for 25 years (I also have a lot of other vises).