New Columbian vise

[6530]

I saw an ad for an 8" Columbian vise on CL this morning, & went over there this afternoon to take a look. Here's what I found for $50. It's a 604-M2, or at least that's what's stamped on the side.

Size comparison to my current bench-mounted Columbian

This is going to be a working vise on a welding table, so a bead blast & some rattle can prime/paint is all it's going to get.

The jackscrew is in great shape, as is most of the rest of the vise. There's a lot of dirt & debris in there but it will clean up pretty easily. I didn't expect the T-jaws - that's a bonus. The pins are clearly visible & with some penetrating oil I'd expect they'd come right out - though judging by the way the jaws close I don't know that I want to change anything.

The swivel base welded to the steel plate may or may not be a problem. I'm going to mount this on a welding table still under development, and was going to bolt the base to a steel plate to which I was going to weld some 2" channel perpendicular. The other item is the missing swivel handle - it looks like it's been replaced by a bolt & nut. What I may have to do is grind a hole in the center of the steel plate (it's solid underneath), take out the center screw, and replace the base and the swivel(s). The good news is that it looks like I can get parts here if I can't get it to work as is.

Seems to me this was a reasonably good deal, and even if I have to replace a few parts it'll serve my purposes.

 

[toolmaker1]

Very nice vice! I wish we had decent items like that at reasonable prices on the local craigslist. It looks to be in great shape. Post up some pictures when you get her painted

 

[gilbo]

nice find, that thing is massive

 

[mikevango]

cool. it looks customized.

 

[autopts]

Nice find. I have a new pair of 4" "T" style jaws that I can sell you however I'm not sure if they will fit Columbian vises. We would have to compare specs I guess, unless you think you can modify them to fit..

 

[mkdive]

nice score!

 

[Even 11]

I'd say you did pretty well, I would've picked it up! Too bad its not an 8" jaw vise! Still a huge upgrade over the Cman! Nice score!!

-Dane

 

[6530]

Thanks, guys. I spent some time on it this afternoon and here's what I found.

Clamped it in my Jawhorse and hit it with a cutoff wheel to get the main bolt out.

Used my impact wrench and the bolt came right out.

Separated from swivel base

Wow, messy. There was all kinds of debris in there - rust, dirt, dirt dobbers, various small nuts & bolts, and some other unidentifiable junk. No wonder it didn't swivel.

Steel pieces - 1/4" plate. No idea why this was done.

The pin initially didn't want to come out, but I was able to gently persuade it.

I degreased and cleaned up as much as I could, and next will be a beadblast, prime, & paint.

I talked to my welding instructor about the base today and showed him a photo. He graciously volunteered to help me take out the weld holding the swivel base to the steel plate using a carbon arc cutter after the next class. I'm looking forward to that!!

 

[ZRX61]

Not sure what that swivel base came from, but it didn't leave the factory attached to that Columbian. The thing that gives the game away (apart from the size difference) is the hole in the base under the back of the slide. That was originally a stationary vise, not a swivel.

 

[Underdog]

Not sure what that swivel base came from, but it didn't leave the factory attached to that Columbian. The thing that gives the game away (apart from the size difference) is the hole in the base under the back of the slide. That was originally a stationary vise, not a swivel.

Are you sure? Looks like the right base for the vise. Why would it have the center hole then? I have to admit I'm no Columbian vise expert. I think if it was mine I'd torch off that steel base plate and clean up the casting with a grinder to get it back to standard configuration.

 

[6530]

Not sure what that swivel base came from, but it didn't leave the factory attached to that Columbian. The thing that gives the game away (apart from the size difference) is the hole in the base under the back of the slide. That was originally a stationary vise, not a swivel.

Interesting. I wouldn't have known that. I called Wilton looking for replacement parts, which are available, and they didn't blink at my request for a new swivel base for a 604 M2. I guess some of these models were swivel & some fixed?

Once I clean this one up I can't see any reason why I wouldn't be able to use it as a swivel base, though I do need a new center bolt washer, spindle washer, & lock bolt.

 

[ZRX61]

Well, if a bolt was put through that hole at the back there's no way it would swivel. Stationary vises have 3 holes usually, & thats what yours has.. so the center hole is a mystery ....

 

[Underdog]

ZRX61 your right. After looking at the second pic, the base doesn't look like it fits the vise.

 

[MrMark]

I have a Columbian 504 stationary base. It has three holes. It is an older version of this one, though. It doesn't have that anvil area and it is not as blocky. I wonder when the change in style happened? You may have a fairly young vise there. Like 80's forward.

As far as what you've got, that is a mystery for sure. It does look like it says 604 on the side, which is the swivel vise model. I have a friend that has a 604 1/2 swivel model and I'm going to his house tomorrow. I'll have a look at the mounting hole arrangement for you and report back. His is the same style as mine, from the 60's.

 

[spongerich]

That's a pretty nice looking vise. It looks like it's managed to escape having some monkey put a 4' cheater bar on it and bending the handle.

I had the same thought about the base being non original. Far more common is the missing swivel.. although we might have solved the mystery of one of them

It's possible that they made the base universal like the Wilton bullets, but the base does look like it's just a tiny bit too large.

 

[6530]

I have a Columbian 504 stationary base. It has three holes. It is an older version of this one, though. It doesn't have that anvil area and it is not as blocky. I wonder when the change in style happened? You may have a fairly young vise there. Like 80's forward.

As far as what you've got, that is a mystery for sure. It does look like it says 604 on the side, which is the swivel vise model. I have a friend that has a 604 1/2 swivel model and I'm going to his house tomorrow. I'll have a look at the mounting hole arrangement for you and report back. His is the same style as mine, from the 60's.

This vise had all the characteristics I was looking for - at least 4" jaws, at least 4" throat, an anvil area, an enclosed spindle, and replaceable jaws. The swivel was a bonus that I'd like to keep since it would make it more useful.

In looking around on the Web I can't find a single photo of a like vise. They're all either newer models that are much more angular in design, or they don't have an anvil. Very interesting.

Even if we can't unravel the mystery I'm going to see if I can retain the swivel base.

 

[ZRX61]

I have a vise with that swivel lock design on it, I think it's a Craftsman?

 

[MrMark]

Yours is the current style of Columbian. That style may have started after Wilton bought out the Columbian name.

 

[6530]

Here's what I plan on doing with this vise (great idea courtesy of Ratdawg - here's the full page),

 

[SweetD]

ZRX61 your right. After looking at the second pic, the base doesn't look like it fits the vise.

I agree, but I also think it's really unique and cool to have the vise configured as it is.

Keep the pictures coming as you restore it!

 

[MrMark]

Here's a Columbian 603 1/2 of the same vintage as my 504. It looks like it does have that appendage out the back - but can't quite make it out. These are the old school Columbian's, the best vise along with the Parkers, in my opinion. I'll be able to tell you for sure tomorrow after I have a look at a 604 1/2 all original model.

I took this pic from the Vise Thread on here - it belongs to banditbigdog, hope he doesn't mind:

 

[MrMark]

It may just be that the Columbians used the same main vise casting for the 504 and 604, that is why the third hole may be there. The only difference would be that the 604 would have the center hole to mount the swivel base.

I think you probably have the correct swivel base at this point.

 

[no2tracks]

That welded on plate may have been for a vehicle mounting, like a rear bumper.

 

[6530]

Here's a Columbian 603 1/2 of the same vintage as my 504. It looks like it does have that appendage out the back - but can't quite make it out. These are the old school Columbian's, the best vise along with the Parkers, in my opinion. I'll be able to tell you for sure tomorrow after I have a look at a 604 1/2 all original model.

Thanks for looking.

It may just be that the Columbians used the same main vise casting for the 504 and 604, that is why the third hole may be there. The only difference would be that the 604 would have the center hole to mount the swivel base.

I think you probably have the correct swivel base at this point.

You may be right. Even if it isn't I'm going to go with it. If I can get it to work, no need to lay out more money.

That welded on plate may have been for a vehicle mounting, like a rear bumper.

Good point. It has some holes and was clearly torch-cut, so it may have been mounted mobile or on some other large surface like a fabrication table.

Got some of the parts bead blasted today.

Definitely a 604 M2.

 

[MrMark]

OK, I looked at my friend's 604 1/2 today and I can tell you that it only has ONE hole in the main vise. That is the hole the locking lever assembly goes into.

It has that rearward protrusion as shown on the Columbian 603 1/2 above but there is NO HOLE.

Remember though that these Columbians are the vintage ones, not the more recent blocky ones with the anvil area like you have. Still, I would think that they would be consistent in approach.

So, those questioning your vise were correct. I have no idea what you have there with regard to the mounting base issue.

If anyone knows I would like to know the cutoff date for when Columbians went from the design pictured above in the 603 1/2 to the OP's vise's design.

 

[6530]

Progress today. No more plate! We used a carbon arc torch to remove the weld holding the base to the plate. It came out much better than I thought it would.

Plate fragments

Underside of the base - you can see what looks like "604 1/2 - 5". What I've found online indicates that the same base is used for the 604 & the 604-1/2. I'm also at a loss to explain the three holes in the vise body.

Jaw removed. You can see where the three replacement pins will go.

This vise is going to clean up nicely. I'm pretty excited about it...

 

[spongerich]

Wow... I bet that was 50x faster than using a grinder and it came out great. Time to start shopping for paint colors.

 

[KTMGuy]

I have a Columbian 504-M2 non-swivel model that has the threaded hole in it for the swivel plate.

I also saw the same vise you have in a tool repair shop. Had the swivel base with the tabbed hole in the back. Maybe they did this for versatility...if you didn't want the swivel, just take it off and you can bolt it down.

 

[6530]

I installed new pins & wire wheeled the vise today.

Reassembled:

You can see where I flap wheeled the static jaw. Before I paint I'll flap wheel the dynamic jaw to match.

I think this is going to work out...

 

[gilbo]

looks like it really cleaned up nicely, u gonna shoot factory color?

i just got this columbian 603m, to touch up, not really a resto, for my next project, until i can find a bullet to rescue

 

[airdale]

gilbo,
Touch up what? That thing is in perfect condition!

 

[Pukeballs]

Vise looks like its in great shape. Should serve you a lifetime.

I have a 604 M2 as well. Its been a great vise to use for me.

 

[gilbo]

gilbo,
Touch up what? That thing is in perfect condition!

well this vise was a NIB from surplus buyer, when i got it, it still sealed with the C-staples in the original wilton box, not sure how long it was sitting in there, gotta wire wheel the underside of the slide, as well as the swivel base got some rust on it

 

[VTPicker]

Hi; I also have a 504 M2. I removed all of the rust with my wire wheel. I need a handle for it as this one is missing. I tried to open and close the vise. It will only go in or out a short distance. I noted a slight camber in the slide when I took the vise apart. I don't know if a camber in typical or not. Anyway, I need some help guys! Any thoughts on how to get my vise to open and close? Can it be heated and put in press to straighten it?


Thanks!

 

[EOC_Jason]

Someone must of been beating the bejezus out of it if they bent the slide. Columbian's metal is pretty malleable, if you have access to a shop press and a straight edge I think you should be able to get it back straight.

Before doing that though I would remove the main screw from the dynamic and see if you can just slide it with your hand. You should be able to see / feel where it is binding and act accordingly to rectify it.

There was a guy on the forum that will make you a new handle with some nice ball ends. I think it was in the vises of gj thread. Otherwise you can get a piece of round bar, like 4140 and just make your own handle.

 

[VTPicker]

I took the screw out and tried to slide the dynamic back in w/o the screw. It appears to be binding up on the top. Yeah, I think you are right; someone beat the hell out of this good ole' vise. It's a keeper and I don't want to ruin it. I'll try the press and perhaps some heat as well. I'll see if I can find the poster of the handles on here. Speaking of handles, I am still very curious how the original handles were assembled to those old vises. Yes, forged.....but were the balls welled on or what? It does not appear that they were.

I am just starting out collecting and refurbishing old vises. I have the following vises:

Columbian 504 M 2
Columbian 603
Charles Parker 973
Companion 3" (Japanese??) No value??
Craftsman 3" - Japanese - No value, I'm sure

Thanks for your help and suggestions!@
VTpicker

 

[bluebolt]

I took the screw out and tried to slide the dynamic back in w/o the screw. It appears to be binding up on the top. Yeah, I think you are right; someone beat the hell out of this good ole' vice. It's a keeper and I don't want to ruin it. I'll try the press and perhaps some heat as well. I'll see if I can find the poster of the handles on here. Speaking of handles, I am still very curious how the original handles were assembled to those old vices. Yes, forged.....but were the balls welled on or what? It does not appear that they were.

I am just starting out collecting and refurbishing old vices. I have the following vices:

Columbian 504 M 2
Columbian 603
Charles Parker 973
Companion 3" (Japanese??) No value??
Craftsman 3" - Japanese - No value, I'm sure

Thanks for your help and suggestions!@
VTpicker

Welcome to GJ and post some pics up on the "let's see your vises" thread. The Japanese vises won't have the value of the USA vises but better than chinese.

 

[ottsville]

Sorry to bump an old thread but this is the best info I've come across yet. I just picked up a Columbian 604-m2.

I see @6530 is still active here - do you happen to remember where you got the replacement jaws?

 

[EOC_Jason]

You can probably contact Wilton, I don't think they sell that model any more but they probably still have replacement parts.

 

[Shiftless]

Fellow GJ member KMScott makes jaws for just about any vise in the world. Excellent craftsmanship and a really great guy.