Info on used vise

[phearlessone]

Hi everyone,

New member here. I picked up this vise off craigslist for $80. The jaws are 3 5/8" wide. It has USN & AMD stamped on it. I plan to take it apart and give it a good cleaning and paint job. I've never seen one with the fixed jaw bolted down like that, anyone else?

Just looking for some info as this is my first vise.

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[drivesitfar]

Hi everyone,

New member here. I picked up this vise off craigslist for $80. The jaws are 3 5/8" wide. It has USN & AMD stamped on it. I plan to take it apart and give it a good cleaning and paint job. I've never seen one with the fixed jaw bolted down like that, anyone else?

Just looking for some info as this is my first vise.

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first vise. really?? you scored on this one. that wilton vise you have there is a swivel jaw and also a swivel base one. the swivel base is pretty normal the swivel jaw is a find. take a look at some threads about the swivel Wilton vises and you'll enjoy your purchase that much more. you'll also learn more about what it can do.

PM me if you want to double your money or trade for a 6 inch Wilton tradesman with a swivel base. i'm guessing you will keep it so check for cracks and anything broken that we can't see in the picture you posted and maybe even leave it that color because that is original paint too.

 

[phearlessone]

I've been holding off and checking craigslist religiously to get a used wilton/yost (only names I really know). From reading some it sounded like the older models made in the US are much better. The guy said he picked it up at a navy auction 20 years ago. I'm guessing that's what USN stands for. Thanks for the good info. I'm glad I didn't get screwed.


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[Jeremiah14]

You sooooo did not get screwed! I'd love to have that vise and would gladly pay 2 or 3 times that. Score!!!

 

[bigcaddy]

I've been holding off and checking craigslist religiously to get a used wilton/yost (only names I really know). From reading some it sounded like the older models made in the US are much better. The guy said he picked it up at a navy auction 20 years ago. I'm guessing that's what USN stands for. Thanks for the good info. I'm glad I didn't get screwed.


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Nope, you pretty much hit a home run with that purchase. Expect some offers to be in your message box shortly because that vise is pretty desirable to Wilton collectors.

I fact, i've only seen a 4", 4 ½" and 5" version of that vise. I've never seen a 3 ½" before and makes you wonder how large/small they went

 

[drivesitfar]

no sir your seller may have screwed himself and you did very well. like I said if you want something bigger for that old Wilton you found just PM (private message) me and we'll talk more.

by the way it looks like you are new member to Garage Journal so from me and the guys and gals i hope you enjoy the experience and welcome to GJ.

in case you haven't already done so you can screw out the entire front jaw of the Wilton by just unscrewing it and just don't drop it. then clean off the bottom slide and you might see the date it was made stamped there.

yes USN is the Navy so either on a ship or in one of their shops.

 

[bigcaddy]

Post your find in the "Vises of Garage Journal" thread and get ready for some attention. People would love to see that vise and, if you plan to restore it, once its all done.

It needs a tapered pin to locate/lock the swivel jaw but that can be easily made. Good score and welcome to GJ. Btw, we are all sorry to hear about you catching the "vise bug" Now you won't be able to stop buying vises

 

[phearlessone]

It has 98-350SJ printed under the fixed jaw. It looks like it's stamped with 6-71 on the slide.

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[oldldh]

To show how "unscrewed" you are...at $ 80.00, you scored big time!!!

Maclin, a GJ member, restored this 450SJ, and sold it on Ebay, for around $ 700.00, including freight....

Yours is a 350SJ (3 1/2" wide jaws), while Maclin's 450SJ has 4 1/2" wide jaws...

An inch wider, and (guessing here) probably 20-25 lbs heavier...

Post your vise on the "Vises Thread", and post your restoration photos...

You and your vise will be most welcome...

To put it in my own weird way...

"Ya Dun Gud, Bubba!!!"

 

[KMScott]

phearlessone, nice find and you deserve a You **** award. This a good thing. In case you need more info on your vise like how it comes apart then here is another post on a vise like yours.

If you restore the vise please show more pictures, we all enjoy them. Might post them on the The Vises of Garage Journal thread. I would love to see more pictures of the jaws.

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=227704&highlight=wilton+swivel+jaw

 

[phearlessone]

Man, you guys are great and yes I think I have the vise big now...

KMScott, here are a few more pictures.

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[Alexbn921]

Nice find. You came to the right place for information. There are so many good threads about restoring wiltons. $80 is a sweetheart deal. Anyway, clean it paint it and use it!

 

[autopts]

Man, you guys are great and yes I think I have the vise big now...

KMScott, here are a few more pictures.

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I do believe the $$ valve of that Wilton has plummeted to a new low. Slightly above scrape valve. I suggest sending it to me for a total revaluation. I'll be happy to give you honest assessment, of coarse after I find its value on Ebay.

 

[phearlessone]

Question for you guys, I'm having a hell of a time removing the hex screw on the swivel jaw. I let it sit overnight with penetrating oil but it will only turn 1/4". I'm trying to avoid stripping it. Any advice?


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[drivesitfar]

be patient because probably hasn't been removed in years. are you using Kroil or what penetrating oil?

some of these pins are threaded on these Wiltons and other vises are just pins and I think yours is threaded so just need a little more juice and time to work (maybe a few days) and maybe a couple little taps with a brass or lead hammer if you own one every time you give it a squirt.

check out some of the other threads on swivel jaw Wiltons and maybe that might help you and will also let you know you have a great first and maybe last vise. of course you'll need a bigger vise and maybe a couple more if you remain a member on GJ very long. Again we are happy to have another member and helluva introduction with that little gem you found.

good luck

 

[zoomieport]

I've got a 350SJ and 450SJ and have seen several other Wilton "SJ's" and I hate to say it, but I think the PO added that threaded bolt, it's supposed to be a "tapered pin". You may have your work cut out for yourself as far as removing that bolt....

 

[phearlessone]

be patient because probably hasn't been removed in years. are you using Kroil or what penetrating oil?



some of these pins are threaded on these Wiltons and other vises are just pins and I think yours is threaded so just need a little more juice and time to work (maybe a few days) and maybe a couple little taps with a brass or lead hammer if you own one every time you give it a squirt.



check out some of the other threads on swivel jaw Wiltons and maybe that might help you and will also let you know you have a great first and maybe last vise. of course you'll need a bigger vise and maybe a couple more if you remain a member on GJ very long. Again we are happy to have another member and helluva introduction with that little gem you found.



good luck

I picked up something called Tri-Flow from the locale Ace. I'll be patient and let it do it's thing.

 

[Coleman]

Well...YOU ****!

 

[drivesitfar]

tri flow is a good product that is for certain, but it isn't a Kroil. if the tapping and tru flow don't work and you don't want to fire up a Electrolysis tank or set that gem in a bucket of diesel maybe try Kroil.

here is a picture of the can i use and the link to their website. you have a gem with that swivel jaw, but if you break it or damage that swivel jaw you might not ever find another replacement so bee careful.

http://www.kanolabs.com/

good luck

 

[phearlessone]

Thanks drivesitfar, if this doesn't work I'll pick up some Kroil.

 

[orchidlane]

Welcome, Grrrrrreat find, I also found a vise like yours at a swap meet close to my house but a little smaller just 3 1/2 in vise jaws, must be his little brother, heres some pictures of mine, if you have any questions about removing the pin please ask, mine was stuck pretty good..