Jeweler Vise

[pandapike]

A New Addition to the American-Made Baby Vise Series


This is the latest update to a project I’ve shared before — now featuring a scaled and modified clamp inspired by the original Wilton Baby Vise clamp. Designed specifically for this model, it adds both function and character while staying true to the vintage roots.

Please note: I’ve put a lot of time and effort into this. If it’s not your style, that’s totally okay — no pressure to buy. I’m sharing this because I’m proud of it and excited about what modern tools can do when paired with old-school inspiration.


If you have feedback about 3D printing or material choices, feel free to message me privately — but I’d kindly ask you to keep unsolicited critiques out of the public thread. This post is about sharing a piece of craftsmanship that blends old and new, not about debating design choices. Thanks


Product Highlights:

• Jaw Width: 2 inches
• Jaw Opening: Opens approximately 1 inch
• Overall Length: Approx. 5-3/4 inches
• Overall Width: Approx. 3 inches
• Weight: Just over 1 lb
• Serial Number: Each unit is individually numbered in the V Series
• Jaw Grip Strength: Tested to over 20 pounds

Built with Purpose & Precision



This vise was created as a tribute to a golden era of American toolmaking — when quality, pride, and durability defined the craft. Built just outside Chicago, less than 15 miles from the original Wilton factory, this project carries that legacy forward using modern methods in small-batch production.



Materials & Construction:

• Body: 3D printed using a high-strength filament (60% iron, 40% PLA) — offering durability, slight flexibility, and lighter weight
• Critical Components: Solid steel jaws, handle, spindle, and nut
• Ideal For: Jewelry work, small precision tasks, or as a display piece in any collection of vintage or modern tools

A Modern Classic


This is a lighter, sleeker reinterpretation of the classic Baby Wilton — made with modern technology, but true to the values of traditional American manufacturing.


Please Note:


This is an early version of the V Series. While fully functional, design elements continue to evolve. Each unit is part of an ongoing journey to refine and perfect the concept — every one is better than the last.














Questions or Interest?








Take a close look at the photos, and don’t hesitate to reach out with questions. Your support helps keep small-scale, American-made craftsmanship alive — and celebrates tools built with heart and heritage.





Thanks for looking — and thank you for being part of this journey.

 

[RoninB4]

Built just outside Chicago, less than 15 miles from the original Wilton factory,

-The original factory on Wrightwood or the later facility in Schiller Park? I worked near the original and also, briefly, at the Schiller Park facility in the 80's.

-As a lifelong toolmaker I know you put a lot of work into this, looks ok to me. Perhaps a published price range would help sales. Good luck with this.

 

[pandapike]

-The original factory on Wrightwood or the later facility in Schiller Park? I worked near the original and also, briefly, at the Schiller Park facility in the 80's.

-As a lifelong toolmaker I know you put a lot of work into this, looks ok to me. Perhaps a published price range would help sales. Good luck with this.

I am near Rodgers park so wrightwood was the location I was referring too. I generally avoid putting prices on here as that generally seems to be frowned upon by the admins(or so I thought) I will say the last 3 sold for $350-400 depending on the options.

 

[RoninB4]

I am near Rodgers park so wrightwood was the location I was referring too.

-Lived at several locations in Rogers Park (Farwell & Hamilton, Oakley & Granville, etc.) during the 20+ years in the Chicago area. Don't recognize your last name but we've likely visited some of the same haunts for similar purposes, maybe even worked for the same companies. I miss the food variety in Chicago.

I generally avoid putting prices on here as that generally seems to be frowned upon by the admins(or so I thought) I will say the last 3 sold for $350-400 depending on the options.

-Didn't know that was frowned upon or I wouldn't have prompted you, thought it would help your venture.

 

[pandapike]

Well, I’m probably a bit on the younger side compared to you I’m 43 however, I would love to pick your brain about you working at Wilton. I have a few questions. I’ve always wanted to know.

 

[RoninB4]

I would love to pick your brain about you working at Wilton. I have a few questions. I’ve always wanted to know.

-I may not be able to tell you much but what do you want to know?

 

[pandapike]

-I may not be able to tell you much but what do you want to know?

Do you know what happened to all the molds for the vise when they outsourced and close the Schiller Park location?

 

[RoninB4]

Do you know what happened to all the molds for the vise when they outsourced and close the Schiller Park location?

-No I would not. I would imagine that as the move was planned the molds were all evaluated and a decision to keep/discard each one was made on an individual basis. Molds are expensive and just tossing them is a decision that's always been above my paygrade. For example:

At US Tobacco I witnessed about 8-10 expensive ($800 each in 2005) Wilton vises go into the dumpster when they decided to outsource the machine shop. I was also denied the chance to purchase one. Watched several good machines share a similar fate.

At Signal Plastics we had several injection molds for the 54-57 Ford tail lights that were run once/twice a year in 1984.

Machines, stamping dies, molds, and tooling can be kept in almost indefinite service provided someone decides to refurbish/replace the wear components. The above two examples are typical. One tossed newish good equipment, which was likely a sweetheart deal (it was in Chicago...) made with the scrap yard. The other stayed on top of keeping something capable after decades of use (also in Chicago). The decision to keep or scrap equipment often defies common sense. I have several similar stories from insiders at other large companies to verify that I truly don't understand high finance at the corporate level.

I probably could have just kept my answer shorter as "beats me, I wasn't consulted". Sorry I can't offer more to your question. Is Al & Andy's restaurant still across the street from the Schiller Park location? If so I'll buy you a cup of coffee the next time I'm in town.

 

[Jacobs976]

US Tobacco I witnessed about 8-10 expensive ($800 each in 2005) Wilton vises go into the dumpster when they decided to outsource the machine shop. I was also denied the chance to purchase one. Watched several good machines share a similar fate.

Machines, stamping dies, molds, and tooling can be kept in almost indefinite service provided someone decides to refurbish/replace the wear components. The above two examples are typical. One tossed newish good equipment, which was likely a sweetheart deal (it was in Chicago...) made with the scrap yard. The other stayed on top of keeping something capable after decades of use (also in Chicago). The decision to keep or scrap equipment often defies common sense. I have several similar stories from insiders at other large companies to verify that I truly don't understand high finance at the corporate level.

Sometimes good equipment is scrapped as loss management(for taxes) too, sometimes it's just because it's not worth their time though.

My 26" Mac toolbox came from a company in Ohio that liquidated a whole lab, maybe the whole facility but I only know about the lab since the box had documentation in it, focusing on infant R&D. They just tossed everything in roll off dumpsters and had it shipped to a scrap yard. The Mac was beat up from being tossed in the dumpster but was like new otherwise, over $2000 off the truck. Same with the half dozen variety of Craftsman boxes, scratch and dent but no signs of age, but I only had $150 and the scrap man wanted $150 for the Mac set or it was going home with him. Also boxes of the expensive fancy caster wheels that were still sealed.

They could've probably auctioned everything off and made a couple tens of thousands with all the toolboxes, tables, computers, etc. they scrapped but that would mean taking the time and money to set that up and having to keep everything till it sold instead of having an empty facility sitting for any new project they wanted and they could write off the losses on the equipment at full value minus scrap.

 

[RoninB4]

Sometimes good equipment is scrapped as loss management(for taxes) too, sometimes it's just because it's not worth their time though.

-Perhaps, but it still doesn't seem to cover all the circumstances that lead to what appear to be idiotic or insider biased decisions. It's above my paygrade.

 

[seber]

At my last job, anything that was decommissioned went to the scrap dock. First come first served. If it was still there when the scrap was picked up, away it went. It just wasn't worth the time for anyone to try to get money for it. Time is more expensive than you might imagine. A lot of equipment never made it to the dock. Especially if it came from the machine shop. Other companies do not allow employees to take anything for liability reasons.