Need help identifying a vice
- Thread starter JPFEIL
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Roberts210
Well-known member
Is the handle chrome plated?
Without seeing more pictures my thinking is it is an Asian rip-off of the Wilton machinist vise.
Without seeing more pictures my thinking is it is an Asian rip-off of the Wilton machinist vise.
RTM
Well-known member
Asian or Indian knock off was my thought too, based on the poor casting quality, and the goobers around the jaw line, like it’s Bondo’d in place.
The handle is very heavy I don't believe its plated at all. I had to do a lot of sandpapering and polishing and if was plated I believe I would have worn thru it. This vice was given to me about 40 years ago by an acquittance of mine who said it belonged to his father. This would make this vice pretty old. The 40-50's , its sat in my storage unit for 40 years. Its been very well used by its previous owner. Its been welded and repaired 2-3X at least. Thanks
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Hoorn
Well-known member
@JPFEIL that is most likely an import vise. Members here on GJ will click on virtually any post that has the word "vise" in it; there are countless experts and interested aficionado's. While there are those who know far than me regarding 1940/50s US made vises, I have a fairly good grasp on most manufacturers and the way in which they were engineered.
The manner in which that particular vise is constructed is not something any US based manufacturer from that era would have used; specifically pinched end handles, very poor casting quality, and "4 1/2" cast in that fashion. The real coup de grace, and its hard to make out because of shadows, but if those pipe jaws are cast onto the dynamic jaw and not removeable, that's another big clue. "About 40 years ago" means the 1980s, or possibly even the 1990s. Very few US based manufacturers of vises were left standing by then.
Any 4-in or bigger vise threaded rod and handle will be heavy, so that is no indication. Also, that logo doesn't ring any bells so far and this post has been viewed by more than 60 members so far. It doesn't look bad and if it works and holds tight, put it to use. Do you have the swivel base that goes with it?
The manner in which that particular vise is constructed is not something any US based manufacturer from that era would have used; specifically pinched end handles, very poor casting quality, and "4 1/2" cast in that fashion. The real coup de grace, and its hard to make out because of shadows, but if those pipe jaws are cast onto the dynamic jaw and not removeable, that's another big clue. "About 40 years ago" means the 1980s, or possibly even the 1990s. Very few US based manufacturers of vises were left standing by then.
Any 4-in or bigger vise threaded rod and handle will be heavy, so that is no indication. Also, that logo doesn't ring any bells so far and this post has been viewed by more than 60 members so far. It doesn't look bad and if it works and holds tight, put it to use. Do you have the swivel base that goes with it?
Thanks for the info, I appreciate your response and your knowledge on vices. The jaws are removeable its just that they have been replaced and a new set welded on at some point in its life ( my pictures didn't show that). I agree with you on its quality because the vice is quite pitted in various areas (maybe cheap casting?) however its had a lot of use. I received this vice in either 1979 or 1980 by a union 76 dealer in Woodland Hills California whom I knew quite well and he was about 10-15 years older than me at that time. That would put him in the 80-85 age range now. I'm not disputing your knowledge at all as far as the quality of the vise however its quite a bit older than your estimate. It just looks like this vice has had years of use prior to me getting it in 79-80 and my friend did tell me it had belonged to his father. Ill keep it but I was just very curious where its origins are.
tool_scrounge
Well-known member
One exception to that rule is military contract Yost vises. I suspect due to lowering the cost, Yost did a cheaper paint job, used non-chromed handles, and pinched handle ends. But they are US made. Here is a photo of a Model 32C
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Shiftless
Well-known member
Yes, Yost made a lot of vises with those differences to be able to sell at a lower price for government contracts. Here is a pic of one I used to own. I thought it would look better in Verde Green rather than the tired chipped up dull old paint so that‘s what I did.
Shiftless
Well-known member
That “Industrial” vise reminds me of the “Taskmaster” made in India and an obvious knock off of the Wilton Cadet.
TailGunner3000
Well-known member
The horseshoe collar clearly says "Made" and ends in an "A." China or India is most likely. It sound like you hope this vise is something it's not.
Roberts210
Well-known member
Could you lightly sand the horse shoe washer and see where it was made?
In the 1980's I couldn't afford a Delta or Rockwell drill press. So I bought a Taiwan drill press--brand name King. That drill press was accurate, and was still going strong when I sold it in 2018, 34 years later. I was always proud to use it, even if it wasn't Old American Arn. If the O.P. loves that vise, and it sounds like he has an emotional attachment to it, then he should keep and treasure it.
In the 1980's I couldn't afford a Delta or Rockwell drill press. So I bought a Taiwan drill press--brand name King. That drill press was accurate, and was still going strong when I sold it in 2018, 34 years later. I was always proud to use it, even if it wasn't Old American Arn. If the O.P. loves that vise, and it sounds like he has an emotional attachment to it, then he should keep and treasure it.
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I will, however I think this vice is foreign made after listing to everyone. Thank You
Shiftless
Well-known member
The Taskmaster (Wilton Cadet clone) vises were stamped on the collar “Made in India”
Fierljeppen
Well-known member
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Although, I've seen that model vise before, it's pretty rare and personally I think it's from India, possibly as early as the 1970's.
I'll try to throw you a positive spin. It's obviously a Wilton "knock-off" of their model "C1", so why not market it as that. There are some, I'll say, very passionate and zealous Wilton vise collectors who may be interested in collecting Wilton bullet vise "knock-offs". You may be surprised what some of them will pay.
Otherwise, there's no reason it can't be a useful vise for you, just as it is, regardless of it's origin.
Roberts210
Well-known member
How does the vise perform? Do the jaw inserts make a perfect line when they meet? Is there slop in the dynamic jaw--that is, can you wiggle it back and forth? If there is no wiggle, and the jaw inserts close up perfectly parallel, I'd say it's darn nice vise, knock off or not.
thehorse13
Well-known member
I had the same experience with a Taiwan made Craftsman table saw. I bought it in the 1980s and it worked every bit as good as a high end saw owned by my brother.
This vise, on the other hand, looks like it would implode if you put 100 lbs of force on the jaws.
winchman
Well-known member
Reminds me of the York made in the Czeck republic?
www.york.cz
They are excellent quality but rare in the UK
Workshop bench vices - YORK | York, spol. s r.o.
www.york.cz