Pricing on a Wilton 1755

[equitiesguy]

Hey guys. I mostly lurk, but I would appreciate your thoughts on pricing.

I'm replacing my father's old, old Columbian 4" jaw vise that was massive (opened to 8"), but terrific and I found a seller on ebay with Wilton 1755's (the 63200a model in Black), with a coupon for around $200.

These are new.

Are the newer Wilton bullets of equal quality to the old school vises? I know they're made in USA but I'm leery since the company has gone to China.

Appreciate your ad-vise.

 

[crab]

If the Columbian is in good shape I think I would rather have it.

 

[matt_i]

Wilton was owned by WMH Tool Group, Walter Meier, now its part of JPW Industries that's owned by Gamut Capital Management.

I wouldn't worry so much about their products, its a simple enough machine. Athough you never know when you need an extra vise. Put it on a 2" drawbar so you can go mobile if need-be.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

If the Columbian is in good shape I think I would rather have it.

X2. I love the old Columbian/Craftsman vises. I told my Dad not to ever sell his. I'll take it when he's done with it. Heck, I told him never sell any of his tools...

Tommy

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

Wilton 1755 isn't really a bullet. Not saying it's a bad vise, just not a bullet vise when you hear someone talk about a bullet vise.

 

[eyeball]

Wilton 1755 isn't really a bullet. Not saying it's a bad vise, just not a bullet vise when you hear someone talk about a bullet vise.

I am in the market for a vise and not too keen on the idea of refurbishing an old vise just to say I have an old vise.

You say the new ones are not really bullet vises. What design differences are you aware of between old and new bullets that one should consider when trying to make a choice between old a new? Is it purely cosmetic or is the engineering significantly different?

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

This isn't new v. old, it's the model of the vise. Look up a Wilton 450S and compare to a 1755 to see the difference.

 

[dumper]

Keep the Columbian. Here is a picture of a Columbian 4" 504, next to a Wilton 4" 1740 Bullet style . Used them both for a while...sold the Wilton. Don't need a rotating base- just a solid vise.

 

[Fcvapor05]

I am in the market for a vise and not too keen on the idea of refurbishing an old vise just to say I have an old vise.

You say the new ones are not really bullet vises. What design differences are you aware of between old and new bullets that one should consider when trying to make a choice between old a new? Is it purely cosmetic or is the engineering significantly different?

All the things that make a bullet a bullet are exactly the same on a Tradesman (such as the 1755) and a Machinist (which is what the vise snobs rave about).

Saying that a '1755 isn't a bullet' is snobby BS. Guess which link on the Wilton website you have to click to read about the 1755?

The one that says "Bullet".

 

[jonshonda]

^Regarding the Tradesman being the same as a Machinist.....I really hope not. I don't know if I got a 1755 that was made on the snow day before x-mas (aka really poor quality), but the way I have seen people rave about the Machinist vice, I don't see any way that the quality I am seeing on my 1755 can be raved about. I will note that I have never used or seen Machinist in person, so YMMV.

 

[ARETE]

Our Wilton 1745 has been solid and one of the nicest I've seen, very smooth in operation. If it's the right tool I wouldn't hesitate.

 

[Fcvapor05]

^Regarding the Tradesman being the same as a Machinist.....I really hope not. I don't know if I got a 1755 that was made on the snow day before x-mas (aka really poor quality), but the way I have seen people rave about the Machinist vice, I don't see any way that the quality I am seeing on my 1755 can be raved about. I will note that I have never used or seen Machinist in person, so YMMV.

The primary differences between the Tradesman and Machinist vises are:

-Tradesman has pipe jaws, machinist does not
-Tradesman usually open about the same distance as jaw width. Machinists open much larger, 150% of jaw width or more
-Because of the longer opening and also castings that are thicker in many areas, Machinists are heavier than comparable jaw width Tradesman

The things that make the bullet design awesome- the round spindle, captive spindle nut, etc etc are the same on both.