Ridgid bench vise

[Rsharris]

Hi All. I came across a Ridgid vise 4 1/2 jaw. 45 FSN. Not sure of the year made looks like it could be an older model. Kind of big for my bench but I like it. Great condition.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[WAS Jr]

Spitting image of a late model Columbian; they were made inCleveland and Ridge is still strong in Lorain, a western ‘burb, so I’d guess they made them for Ridge. A good, professional vise.
Bill S

 

[bsaint]

Callaway golf ball factory has a few of these that have stood up to a 3 shift huge maintenance department over the years. I would recommend them.

 

[Rsharris]

Thanks Bill and bsaint. It sure seems to be heavy Duty.
RH.

 

[Fierljeppen]

Spitting image of a late model Columbian; they were made inCleveland and Ridge is still strong in Lorain, a western ‘burb, so I’d guess they made them for Ridge. A good, professional vise.
Bill S

You nailed it. Columbian started making the Ridge Tool vises sometime in the 1980's. This one has the latest jaw version which was produced until 1998, when Columbian ceased to mfg. any more Ridge Tool vises.

Callaway golf ball factory has a few of these that have stood up to a 3 shift huge maintenance department over the years. I would recommend them.

Columbian Machinists vises are the most underrated vises out there. I picked up a nice, inexpensive Columbian 506 that I was going to flip, but ended up keeping it as my main outdoor vise, replacing the Wilton 450S I was using.

I'm an industrial maintenance guy and would recommend Rsharris' vise to any type of user.

 

[WAS Jr]

You just heard an endorsement from one of the GJ vise heavyweights. Go get it!
��Bill S

 

[tool_scrounge]

You nailed it. Columbian started making the Ridge Tool vises sometime in the 1980's. This one has the latest jaw version which was produced until 1998, when Columbian ceased to mfg. any more Ridge Tool vises.

Columbian Machinists vises are the most underrated vises out there. I picked up a nice, inexpensive Columbian 506 that I was going to flip, but ended up keeping it as my main outdoor vise, replacing the Wilton 450S I was using.

I'm an industrial maintenance guy and would recommend Rsharris' vise to any type of user.

You are right about columbian machinist vises being underappreciated. I also found a 506 in amazing condition. I put off inquiring for 24 hours as I really did not need another vise. But I finally gave in and emailed regarding. Surprised I was the first to inquire. By the time I got there 30 minutes later the seller had a bunch of other emails wanting to buy it. This version had the T shaped jaws. Do you know when they stopped using the T style jaws. The sale price was $120, which seemed reasonable. How are prices for 506 vises in your area? I do wish it had a little longer of a handle and a finer pitch leadscrew.

It was an upgrade from the 4.5" Columbian made 1970 transition model Craftsman machinist vise. That one mechanically was good but the previous owner had put a couple of coats of paint on it. Rather ugly. But the guy I sold it to was thrilled. He wanted a sleeper vise for his work truck that no one would steal. Go figure.

 

[Fierljeppen]

You are right about columbian machinist vises being underappreciated. I also found a 506 in amazing condition. I put off inquiring for 24 hours as I really did not need another vise. But I finally gave in and emailed regarding. Surprised I was the first to inquire. By the time I got there 30 minutes later the seller had a bunch of other emails wanting to buy it. This version had the T shaped jaws. Do you know when they stopped using the T style jaws. The sale price was $120, which seemed reasonable. How are prices for 506 vises in your area? I do wish it had a little longer of a handle and a finer pitch leadscrew.

The "T" style pinned jaws were produced from (1925-1990ish). I'd say $120 for a nice Columbian 506 that doesn't need anything is a very decent price anywhere, although they can be had for less.

The best testimonial of a Columbian machinists vise I've seen was from the "AngryBeaver". I'd consider his knowledge of user vises to be as good as anyone.

"AngryBeaver"...Columbian 506 M2, I bought for 50 bucks. My buddy picked it up for himself and realized he didn't need anything that big. There is nothing I can do to this vise to harm it.

These are sledge hammer marks. I'm guessing they were trying to press something and when it quit turning, they beat on it... guess what? it still works like new. Now I don't feel guilty hammering stuff on my good vises.

There isn't one brand of vise that would withstand this abuse, not Parker's. Prentiss's crack when you look at them wrong... I don't even think Reed's would take this kind of abuse. They will still crack when in the hands of a neanderthal. These pics don't show how deep the jaw is dented. Some are almost an inch deep. It's now mounted on an I-beam buried outside the garage for abuse work.

 

[WAS Jr]

Wow. That vise reminds me of those videos where the drunk driver is going down the road on a bare rim, sparks flying out behind in a big roostertail.....
Bill S

 

[yarrum]

Yep, and this is exactly why I got the Columbian 206 after breaking an ancient Athol

 

[tool_scrounge]

Fierljeppen - those are amazing photos of surviving vise abuse. Typically I would never buy a badly abused vise, but I can see AngryBeaver's logic on it. If it is already abused and has little residual value. If you need to risk harming the vise to get something done, there is very little risk of devaluing it more. Mine looks virtually the same as Angrybeaver's but without the abuse and no Mx version marking - so I presume it is an earlier one.

 

[zkling]

Build a stand for it. No need to take up valuable bench space.

Yep, and this is exactly why I got the Columbian 206 after breaking an ancient Athol

How in the hell did you manage that?

 

[PSCo1867]

Wow, nice info being presented about Ridgid & Columbian. I'm going to jump on this bandwagon with a 6" Ridgid 60CPN I stumbled onto today. It is still in its original service location.

 

[yarrum]

Build a stand for it. No need to take up valuable bench space.



How in the hell did you manage that?

Squeezing a 3/4" length of red hot 5/16 round stock. you can see a witness mark on the stationary jaw. Didn't even bend the handle. I think back in the 19th century the cast iron was pretty crappy.

 

[1982fxr]

You nailed it. Columbian started making the Ridge Tool vises sometime in the 1980's. This one has the latest jaw version which was produced until 1998, when Columbian ceased to mfg. any more Ridge Tool vises.



Columbian Machinists vises are the most underrated vises out there. I picked up a nice, inexpensive Columbian 506 that I was going to flip, but ended up keeping it as my main outdoor vise, replacing the Wilton 450S I was using.

I'm an industrial maintenance guy and would recommend Rsharris' vise to any type of user.

Had no idea Columbian made an 8" version of these. Anyone ever seen one, under Columbian or any other brand?

 

[Rinspeed]

Hi All. I came across a Ridgid vise 4 1/2 jaw. 45 FSN. Not sure of the year made looks like it could be an older model. Kind of big for my bench but I like it.

I can't help with any info but that thing is awesome.

 

[Fierljeppen]

Had no idea Columbian made an 8" version of these. Anyone ever seen one, under Columbian or any other brand?

I've never seen a (1990-1998) Ridgid 8" machinists vise by Columbian, although I'm sure they exist.

Here's a couple of photo's of some (pre-1990) Ridgid 8" machinists vises by Columbian.

 

[wrenchguy]

I'm not sure time period of this 80sn i'm caretaker of. I thought i saw something about ridgid vises being made in Europe?

 

[1982fxr]

Wow ^^^^^

 

[Fierljeppen]

I'm not sure time period of this 80sn i'm caretaker of. I thought I saw something about Ridgid vises being made in Europe?

Yep, the Ridgid "F" series vises were 1st introduced sometime in 1997, which took over the Ridgid "Columbian made" vises. I believe the "F" series vises were originally mfg. in Germany.

I really like your outside bench. Given a choice, I'll work outside every time.

​

 

[M635_Guy]

Yep, the Ridgid "F" series vises were 1st introduced sometime in 1997, which took over the Ridgid "Columbian made" vises. I believe the "F" series vises were originally mfg. in Germany.

I really like your outside bench. Given a choice, I'll work outside every time.

​

That looks like a Carpri vise

 

[Fierljeppen]

That looks like a Carpri vise

Yeah it does. I don't have any information connecting the -2- companies, but the forged vise designs are almost identical. The Capri vise is a little less expensive than the Ridgid.

It's a proven design and I'd expect to see this type of vise around for quite some time.

 

[M635_Guy]

If I need to get a small, standard vise, I'll probably grab a Capri if I can't find a vintage one.

 

[exmaxima1]

The Capri has a few upgrades from the Ridgid, in particular the extended support under the dynamic jaw and the little anvil sticking out the back. But I can't excuse Capri for copying the general shape of the jaws: they could have easily engineered a different shape so they wouldn't look so much like blatant copies. And those tiny stick-on labels look SO cheap.

 

[M635_Guy]

The Capri has a few upgrades from the Ridgid, in particular the extended support under the dynamic jaw and the little anvil sticking out the back. But I can't excuse Capri for copying the general shape of the jaws: they could have easily engineered a different shape so they wouldn't look so much like blatant copies. And those tiny stick-on labels look SO cheap.

Overall, the Capri looks like it has better overall design (support under the dynamic jaw, etc). Other than the RIGID has welds that have been tidied up, there's nothing I'm seeing that's an advantage other than it's apparently made in Germany. Doesn't look like the jaws are replaceable either. Not a giant deal, but something I'd want in a vise at that price point.

As far as the shape of the jaws, there are plenty of vises that sport a similar shape.

 

[AngryBeaver]

The "T" style pinned jaws were produced from (1925-1990ish). .

Can I ask why, or where you think the T style jaws when into the 90's? Some people believe that wilton changed the jaws when they acquired them in 93/94 so cheapen up the manufacturing costs, but i believe the M3 bolt on jaws were made prior to that.

I'm not columbian expert, but i've had enough to notice casting mold stamps on them. Whether they can be made out and read is another issue on its own.

This Ridgid 45Fcpn had 71 mold stamps on it which I really believe to be a date stamp for the casting mold.

i've seen rigid catalogs from the early 80's that had M3 style bolt on jaws.

not questioning you, just asking. you know I value your information storage and knowledge like no other. We've solved a lot of vise riddles over the years and this is one I'd like to get to the bottom off.


OP, Love me some ridgid vises. Used to live right down the road from the Ridge tool company in Elyria Ohio for 5-6 years.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=365803&highlight=ridgid+45fcpn

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6660865&postcount=57535

 

[Fierljeppen]

Can I ask why, or where you think the T style jaws when into the 90's? Some people believe that Wilton changed the jaws when they acquired them in 93/94 so cheapen up the manufacturing costs, but i believe the M3 bolt on jaws were made prior to that.

I'm not Columbian expert, but I've had enough to notice casting mold stamps on them. Whether they can be made out and read is another issue on its own.

This Ridgid 45Fcpn had 71 mold stamps on it which I really believe to be a date stamp for the casting mold.

I've seen Ridgid catalogs from the early 80's that had M3 style bolt on jaws.

Not questioning you, just asking, you know I value your information storage and knowledge like no other. We've solved a lot of vise riddles over the years and this is one I'd like to get to the bottom off.

AngryBeaver...You or anyone else can always question the information that I provide. I'm depending and expect that, especially from you.

Ridgid started offering their "Made from Columbian" vises in 1980, based on my 1980 catalog and parts manual. The 1979 Ridgid catalog still advertises the "Simplex" style vises with the "horseshoe" collar.

Based on that alone, I don't think the "71" casting number is a date code. The 1980 parts-list of the combination vise shows the "T" style jaws. My 1987 Columbian catalog scan below, still mentions and shows the pinned-jaws, even though they're listed as M3 Columbians.

You say you've seen Ridgid catalogs from the early 80's that had M3 style bolt on jaws. Could you post them? I'd be very interested to see that information.

I'm still searching for more solid references to give us a more reliable timeline of the mentioned events, but if anyone has any printed information that would help the endeavor, please post it here.

 

[Fierljeppen]

I just found a 1987 Ridgid RT-580 catalog that I didn't know I had. The scan is below.

The graphic doesn't show a "T" style jaw, like in my 1980 catalog, but the description states, "Alloy steel jaw faces can be replaced easily. For maximum power, faces have no screw heads or holes".

How are they attached if they're not the pinned "T" jaws? I'm going to keep looking for more information, but this is all I have for now.

 

[AngryBeaver]

I just found a 1987 Ridgid RT-580 catalog that I didn't know I had. The scan is below.

The graphic doesn't show a "T" style jaw, like in my 1980 catalog, but the description states, "Alloy steel jaw faces can be replaced easily. For maximum power, faces have no screw heads or holes".

Well, that answers that. Ive been wrong before and I'll be wrong again... ill look for my ridgid catalogs this week (hard copies). I had thought both M2 tee style jaws and M3 styles were made simultaneously based on who the OEM was. I thought I had a 1983/4 ridgid catalog. I thought Ive seen an 85ish reed catalog that showed the M3 style jaws also.

 

[Fierljeppen]

Well, that answers that. Ive been wrong before and I'll be wrong again... ill look for my ridgid catalogs this week (hard copies). I had thought both M2 tee style jaws and M3 styles were made simultaneously based on who the OEM was. I thought I had a 1983/4 ridgid catalog. I thought Ive seen an 85ish reed catalog that showed the M3 style jaws also.

Maybe you're not wrong. The mid-to-late 1980's Reeds, that I assumed were made by Columbian, clearly have the removeable jaws with front screws, just like the OP's Ridgid vise. This isn't representative of any of the Ridgid catalogs descriptions though.

Catalogs are meant to be a guide and not the rule and it almost seems like there were -2- different mfgs. of these vises, looking at the -2- different styles of jaws.

I certainly have more questions than answers at this point, so I'm going to back track and say I really don't know the timeline of these vises based on their jaw style. It's become another vise puzzle and I'll be starting a database on the newer Ridgid machinist and combo vises.

 

[shoegazer]

Looks like the Capri has a smaller base and needed the protuberance. Does it stick out past the bench top edge? The sticker says it all.

 

[LloydV]

I've never seen a (1990-1998) Ridgid 8" machinists vise by Columbian, although I'm sure they exist.

Here's a couple of photo's of some (pre-1990) Ridgid 8" machinists vises by Columbian.

Hi,
Would you have any idea where I could find a feeder bolt for the Ridged bench vise 41? It is one piece about 17” long. Thanks.

 

[jwom1991]

8 in columbian I purchased redid an sold awhile back