Question about a Wilton 6in vise

[Tarnished]

Evening all,
CL pick up today on this vise and seeking a little info. This is a 6in vise which I believe to be made by Wilton. Cheesy stick on Wilton label is only ID I can find to confirm this. Date stamp on bottom is 2 - 88 which, I believe, should mean the vise was manufactured in February of 1983. 5yr prior to its warranty expiration of 2 -88. Correct? Where was this vise made? Anyone know for sure? Can find no PO at all on vise. Stick on Wilton label only shows corporate headquarters address I believe. Was this still produced in the USA in 83"?
I find the vise to be in good shape overall. Has a few scrapes and bruises normal for its age. A couple of welding hickies that will file off, but all works as should and threads in good shape. Nothing broken or welded. Jaws in good shape, but could possibly use a new set. It does have the pipe jaws that are held in with 1 allen screw, and one is broken. I am thinking I should be able to find parts for this still. Anyone know a reasonable place to find them?
Overall I am pretty happy with this guy and the plan is to mount it on a pedestal for my main go to vise. Have to make a new mounting plate for the 4 hold Wilton to replace the 3 hole that is on the pedestal now. Will post up pics when I get it mounted.
I Will go off now and search and see what I can find out about this vise, but any information you all care to add will be much appreciated.
Thanks
John

 

[alex71]

Wilton tradesman vise. Us made,useless pipe jaws, as evidenced by the broken jaw on yours. Replacements are readily available, but will break again with moderate use.

Not a bad vise overall. Biggest deficiency IMO is the height of the jaws.

 

[Tarnished]

Thanks Alex,
From what I am able to dig up I believe this "tradesman" to be model 1760. Parts can still be found if pockets are deep enough. Would like to replace the pipe jaws, is there anything I can do to make the pipe jaws last better, or should I just take them out and forget it? I will get it cleaned up and scrub off the crud, re-grease and put on the stand. Then it will become my main beater, and I won't worry about chipping the paint. It will have a good home, and as you can see from the pix, I'm a little vise obsessed any way...

 

[franzdom]

mfg in 1988, the warranty thing was only for earliest ones.

 

[alex71]

Maybe you can have them machined out of steel. The cast iron pipe jaws are too small, which is why they break.

 

[Provincial]

I have found that it is more practical to have a small pipe vise around rather than use the ineffective pipe jaws on a bench vise.

I would toss the pipe jaws from the Wilton.

 

[Tarnished]

Thanks Guys,
Appreciate the info. I certainly have other vise's around to use, and in fact I have a small old bench pipe vise that works great. Guess I will use it if I need to clamp pipe. Still to complete the resto, I will be looking for a new set of jaws for this one. Machined steel is good idea. Anyone know a source?
Are all the Wilton pipe jaws junk? Or is it just this particular model? I know there are several styles, which ones are good/bad? Hadn't heard anything bad about them, but hadn't checked either.