Is this a Wilton vise or a cheap copy?

[GT6cops]

Here is a vise I picked up several months ago at a garage sale for $15. The number cast into it is 111147 with the number 2 below it - there are no other markings anywhere that I can find. It appears to be a Wilton, but it may be a Chinese copy too. Any thought? Thanks.

 

[RCStocker]

There are a 101 vice companies. I can't tell you and I have owned hundreds of vices through the years.

I have some great old American vices that only had paper labels. It looks well worn but still will do the job. I never have paid over $20 for a good vice in my life. For some reason at estate sales and swap meets people don't knew the value. They are getting harder to find the more people research on the internet. My guess is that is not a Wilton but I could be very wrong.

The casting are not Wilton quality. There are ridge marks in the molding. Most American vices are very clean, crisp and sharp. It does not look like an American style vice to me but I am not an expert on vices. I can't tell if that is an ID mark on the stationary jaw. It looks like an import to me.

 

[autopts]

Its a Wilton HD Utility 700 series made abroad. Its heavy and usually serves a shop well. Replacement jaws are reasonable.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Its a Wilton HD Utility 700 series made abroad. Its heavy and usually serves a shop well. Replacement jaws are reasonable.

I didn't know but either way, for $15 you can't go wrong.

 

[Packard V8]

They are getting harder to find the more people research on the internet.

Or maybe because some GJers here are buying them all up to keep them away from the hoarders.

jack vines

 

[GT6cops]

A bit more work with the very old school hardware store in town indicates that jaw inserts (regular and pipe) from a Wilton 745 should fit. Even if its not US made it should serve well in conjunction with the other vises I've accumulated: an Athol 624 (5" jaws and 101 lbs), A Wilton Shop King and a Columbian No. 43. Thanks for the input.

 

[FlatHeads_Suck]

That's a wilton 745, not US made, and produced after the early 90s. I have one, I like it.

 

[areshe80]

I have the same one. Did you find a reliable site or source or parts?

 

[Lucid Moments]

Or maybe because some GJers here are buying them all up to keep them away from the hoarders.

jack vines

Is there a difference between the GJers and the hoarders? At least in this regards?

 

[Highland]

Hoarders stack old vises up in their living rooms and plan to do something with them sometime.

GJers throw a coat of Krylon at them and call them "restored"!

Then they stack them in their living rooms and plan to sell them sometime.

 

[Al Borland]

GJers POLISH them!!!!!

 

[saukit]

Here's another vise that is marked Wilton USA but poorly made (in my opinion). The castings don't match up well at all. Any thoughts on whether this is a real Wilton or a copy?

 

[3baygarage]

Looks like a little home owner's vise that's seen decent use. Might have skipped by QC that day?

 

[saukit]

Looks like a little home owner's vise that's seen decent use. Might have skipped by QC that day?

Thanks, it does seem to be pretty solid and I bought it as a user so as long as the issue is purely cosmetic I don't really care. I can't believe I didn't notice it when I bought it. Just seems pretty egregious for what's supposed to be a high quality brand but maybe it was made on Monday...