Hey guys, I had a question I was hoping you could answer. While cleaning up my grandfather's shop building my dad found a couple of vises in parts and pieces. We have found 2 nearly complete vises. But they are both missing the spindle nut. One of the vises is a Columbian 604 1/2 M2, and I understand that they were made by Wilton. But I have not been able to track down a part number so that I can be sure on the fit. The other vise is a Rock Island 594. I have been able to find very little info on this vise at all. I know the company was bought out and subsequently shut down, but surely someone makes parts that will fit this. Please if you know how to source these parts let me know. Any info would help.
Old Vise Parts
- Thread starter Blar
- Start date
TailGunner3000
Well-known member
First off, I'd take a good, hard look around the shop to see if those pieces aren't tucked away somewhere.
Finding parts for vintage vises is usually an impossible task. Occasionally they do pop up, but if the vises have sentimental value, your best bet is to find donor vises. Otherwise, you'd probably be better off parting those vises out.
You might also have luck having a machine shop fabricate them.
I believe there is a vise parts swap thread around here somewhere. Might want to check that out too.
Finding parts for vintage vises is usually an impossible task. Occasionally they do pop up, but if the vises have sentimental value, your best bet is to find donor vises. Otherwise, you'd probably be better off parting those vises out.
You might also have luck having a machine shop fabricate them.
I believe there is a vise parts swap thread around here somewhere. Might want to check that out too.
Maybe this will help:
https://www.dependableacme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/thread-guide.pdf
https://www.dependableacme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/thread-guide.pdf
Packard V8
Well-known member
Yes, most heavy duty vises have square threads
No, not all vise square threads are Acme.
Maybe, someone with certain knowledge will confirm the threads on the Columbian and Rock Island.
FWIW, I've fabricated a couple of vise nuts; even with a welder and machinery, it's a lot of work. A shaper cut the tapered base with a vertical pedestal. An Acme coupling nut was clamped to the fabricated nut base and welded on to hell and gone. This repair is still working twenty years later.
jack vines
No, not all vise square threads are Acme.
Maybe, someone with certain knowledge will confirm the threads on the Columbian and Rock Island.
FWIW, I've fabricated a couple of vise nuts; even with a welder and machinery, it's a lot of work. A shaper cut the tapered base with a vertical pedestal. An Acme coupling nut was clamped to the fabricated nut base and welded on to hell and gone. This repair is still working twenty years later.
jack vines
Thanks guys, I did find a Wilton part number for the Columbian, but can't find a used spindle nut anywhere and a new one is close to $300 for some reason. Also checked the thread size and it seems to be an oddity, 7/8"-4. And that size with 4 threads per inch I have not been able to find.