The VISES of Garage Journal

[Mark in Indiana]

Thanks a lot! It seems to work great and I got it for next to nothing. Might restore it and sell it. Not sure yet


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So I'm taking this thing apart. I am new to the Wilton vise scene.

What is my best bet to have a nice swivel clamp bar again? I guess that's what you call the bar that tightens the swivel base.
On this one the bar is all bent to hell. The bolt that went up from the bottom is also bent but that doesn't look like anything any different than a simple carriage bolt.



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A lot of buffoons beat the handle with a hammer. I've straightened them by clamping them in a vise to where the bend is at the top of the jaws and bend it back with a piece of pipe.

A carriage bolt will replace the bent one you have. You will likely have to cut it to size & grind the head.

I also like to put a shim washer on the vise where the carriage bolt comes through so the
t-handle doesn't tear at the paint.

 

[alinc100]

How big do you think this parker is? Looks like it has a two screw collar on it.

Thanks guys. Now to figure out if I should take a day off to try and get it or just live with my 955....

Jerry ,
Is that at an auction or is distance a factor? It might not be worth a day off for you , but some of us don't have regular jobs and can scrounge for you.

 

[va.grouseman]

GETRID, you are right, the G. M. Yost's look a whole lot like the Prentiss 22s. That being said, along with the thick shell of paint, and he said he was in his 70s, could have all been factors in me getting one of those. That's one oversight that went in my favor. Don't happen often.

As far as your missing swivel pin, that's nothing. I've made 4 of those, they are not that hard. With or without a lathe, that's a minor inconvenience.

As far as the broken mounting foot/ear, whichever, that can be fixed to, to where you can't tell it. Do you recall Ritzblitz's repair on his Reed 4c, back on page #465. Now that was a first class job.

The bottom line is, you have something there that is well worth fixing back to original condition. Good luck

 

[Outlawmws]

So I'm taking this thing apart. I am new to the Wilton vise scene.

What is my best bet to have a nice swivel clamp bar again? I guess that's what you call the bar that tightens the swivel base.
On this one the bar is all bent to hell. The bolt that went up from the bottom is also bent but that doesn't look like anything any different than a simple carriage bolt.



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Yep, a std carriage bolt will work if you can get one with enough threads.

My canned answer for a home brew handle:

Locking lever:
Get a 5-6” bolt the size of the hole; also get a matching Jam nut. Grind the points off the hex of the bolt (cosmetic cleanup), and string it through the hole drilled in the lock head.

Run the jam nut down and jam it into the bottom of the threads of the bolt. Cut off most of the excess bolt. Peen the remainder of the bolt threads into the nut as flush as you can, and file flat.
The last step is again cosmetic: Grind the points off the now captive Jam nut. You have just made a new locking lever and nut for the swivel base…

 

[Craptain]

I picked this up from a CL ad. First glance at the less than wonderful picture it looked like a Wilton. Then I got there and the vise itself was also less than wonderful, but still worth the $20 to me. It has characteristics that look Wilton (to me) but no Wilton name anywhere. Research shows that the later 1750 had a plate stuck or other wise attached and not cast in to the static parts. It is missing one jaw insert and one pipe jaw insert. The numbers stamped in the slide are 1-84 and 3-84. Slightly confusing to me So was it made in 84 or warrantied till 84 and which month?

Other than the obvious it is in good mechanical condition with no discernible play or wear in any of the parts. A good cleaning will tell me more. But I have a backlog of work so it will not be an immediate priority.
As a bonus I saw the seller was throwing out a bunch of stuff prior to moving. So I picked up the small Workmate box/bench the vise is sitting on, along with another box with a bunch of electrical tape and random other stuff including some fishing lures.

 

[schor]

Cleaned and lubed them up a bit, added copper jaws to the little one. I think they're ready for action.

I have lived with a very small 3" record No 1 vise forever. I finally got a deal on it's bigger brother a No 3.

Not sure yet if I will refurbish them both or just let them be what they are.

 

[drivesitfar]

Craptain: the double date is interesting, but in the 80's they were well back into the day of the actual assembly of their vises and not including the 5 year warranty period.

the missing name is typical of those Wiltons that Wilton not only had a label with their name to put on it, but also made one for Snap on, John Deere and other big companies. if you don't see red paint it probably wasn't a Snap on or green for John Deere and from what i see you might only need a new Wilton label that might be bought at the Wilton still or maybe a member or two here might have one if you ask.

as far as the jaws on those go if the screw's female threads are still in good shape you might be able to order a pair from several places or KMScott might make you the one you are missing if you don't want a matching pair from him.

nice sturdy vise

Schor: they look great and can you tell us what you made the copper jaws out of or where you bought them?

 

[Craptain]

Craptain: the double date is interesting, but in the 80's they were well back into the day of the actual assembly of their vises and not including the 5 year warranty period.

the missing name is typical of those Wiltons that Wilton not only had a label with their name to put on it, but also made one for Snap on, John Deere and other big companies. if you don't see red paint it probably wasn't a Snap on or green for John Deere and from what i see you might only need a new Wilton label that might be bought at the Wilton still or maybe a member or two here might have one if you ask.

as far as the jaws on those go if the screw's female threads are still in good shape you might be able to order a pair from several places or KMScott might make you the one you are missing if you don't want a matching pair from him.

nice sturdy vise

Thanks for your comments. She is indeed sturdy. There is a very faint trace of a light greenish paint in places. Much too light for John Deere green. So my guess is Wilton. I will definitely need the jaws, but may or not need the label depending on whether or not I actually restore it or just use it. never hurts to have it on hand I guess.

I was thinking of replacing my Chinese 5" Columbian, but that is just a beater and is the one I use for welding etc and I would hate to treat a Wilton that way

 

[Outlawmws]

Craptain, that size workmate would be a good candidate for building into a bench as a "bench Tool Station" for quick mount/dismount of things like bench grinders, miter boxes, arbor presses... only limited by your imagination!

Schor, Nice score on the Record!

 

[bluebolt]

I picked this up from a CL ad. First glance at the less than wonderful picture it looked like a Wilton. Then I got there and the vise itself was also less than wonderful, but still worth the $20 to me. It has characteristics that look Wilton (to me) but no Wilton name anywhere. Research shows that the later 1750 had a plate stuck or other wise attached and not cast in to the static parts. It is missing one jaw insert and one pipe jaw insert. The numbers stamped in the slide are 1-84 and 3-84. Slightly confusing to me So was it made in 84 or warrantied till 84 and which month?

Does it have Made In USA on it?
Pipe jaws are part # 2904200, regular jaws are part number 2904110. I may have a regular jaw if I can find it, I replaced my regular jaws (1 broken) on my 1750. I got mine from Advance Auto online and sued some discounts to get a good price.

 

[rtvinc]

detroit craigslist #4526874935 interesting columbian

 

[Craptain]

bluebolt,

PM sent.

 

[tedsters]

craftsman 4 1/2 crown logo 51840&51820

thought i would post what these all look like i am gonna restore these and they are all staying here, to the best of my knowledge these were all made by columbian and produced from 1960 to 1968 these have some surface rust no pitting the two smaller 3-1/2 5182's came from the same place and i picked up the 5184 in ohio fixed base and the swivel base on the 5184 came off from a columbian 604 M2 which was a swivel base and the swivel is actually stamped 604-1/2 on it perfect fit, AndrewHActually picked up the 5184 in ohio for me and i had the pleasure of meeting Andrew today when i picked up my vise from him, Thanks again Andrew.
all three of these vises are actually in super shape the corners on all the dynamic jaws are without dings or hammers marks and there are no grinder or hammer marks no where on all 3 of the vises, and the jaw pads are like new these are really nice ones for keepers, the wing nut for the lock down on the bigger 4-1/2 will match the two smaller ones when completed

 

[va.grouseman]

Here's a trivia question for the pundits. How many different vises have the scalloped design on the top of the static and dynamic jaw towers? I know of two. I just wonder who copied who.

 

[joe.striper]

Just finished my Wilton 9300. It was tough but I love the black hammered finish and the copper jaws.

 

[joe.striper]

I looked at this vise today but I'm concered about the shape of the jaws. They look rrouneed to me. $80 with the table.

 

[tedsters]

Just finished my Wilton 9300. It was tough but I love the black hammered finish and the copper jaws.

I looked at this vise today but I'm concered about the shape of the jaws. They look rrouneed to me. $80 with the table.

Joe

that wilton turned out nice, but that Athol dooo not look right

 

[Outlawmws]

Joe

that wilton turned out nice, but that Athol dooo not look right

but I'm more concerned that the static jaw looks like it may have been welded and ground? A lot of porosity seems to be there.

I'd go look if it's not too far.

 

[72CZ]

Just finished my Wilton 9300. It was tough but I love the black hammered finish and the copper jaws.

The 9300 looks Great Joe !!!!

.

 

[joe.striper]

but I'm more concerned that the static jaw looks like it may have been welded and ground? A lot of porosity seems to be there.

I'd go look if it's not too far.

50 minutes. away..im concerned the jaws don't match up. I appreciate your input. I have enough projects for now.

 

[Fretters]

I always work on the "if in doubt" rule. If you have genuine doubt about something, just forget it. Unless it's something you're only likely to see the once, else if you know them like the back of your hand and know you can sort them, it generally isn't worth the hassle of bothering with something which is likely damaged or changed in some way. Another one will always turn up.

 

[Moshtron]

I've been reading through the forums and you guys know a lot about vises. I'm just starting to develop my shop skills and I figured restoring an old vise would be a good place to start.
I got this old Reed 104 for about $25 and I've got it all taken apart and token a wire brush to the whole thing to get the rust and old paint off. I can't get the main nut out though, any recommendations?

Also, the jaws don't come fully together, there is about a 1/2" gap. are there jaw faces for this vise? each jaw has 2 small on the top of them.

There are some additional markings stamped into the vise, if anyone has any idea what they mean.

The rear mounting holes have also broken off, so its just going to be a light duty vise, its also my first vise.

Photos of the vise can be seen here: http://s1265.photobucket.com/user/ericmosher1705/library/

Thanks,

Eric

 

[bl00]

To get the nut out, use a punch or piece of wood, put in on the nut and drive it out with a big hammer.

To figure out why it won't close try removing the screw and just sliding the front jaw in by hand. If it stops at the same point then figure out where it's binding and take a file or flap disk to the high spots. Reeds had fairly tight tolerances on the slide and are prone to binding if the slide has been beat on.

If the jaw goes in fine by itself then remove it and twist the screw into the nut by itself (without it being in the jaw). Find out where it binds and see if there is a burr or dent that can be filed out.

It those both check out, then I would suspect that the nut is a replacement and is very slightly too tall or too short.

 

[jakemac]

Because the rear mounting hole is missing, try making a cleat to clamp the back of the vise down to the bench. A piece of bar stock could be bent to accomplish this, then drill a hole through the cleat to bolt it to the bench.

 

[exmaxima1]

I looked at this vise today but I'm concered about the shape of the jaws. They look rrouneed to me. $80 with the table.

I just painted my Athol 624 last week, and the jaws should be square cornered---not ROUND.

BTW, the fastest way I found to replace the spring in an Athol is with a piece of conduit: drill a hole about 12" from the end, and then cut it about at the hole's midpoint. Takes about 2 minutes to fabricate, and makes it much easier to re-install the cotter pin for the spring. Just slip it over the screw to compress the spring.

 

[joe.striper]

I just painted my Athol 624 last week, and the jaws should be square cornered---not ROUND.

BTW, the fastest way I found to replace the spring in an Athol is with a piece of conduit: drill a hole about 12" from the end, and then cut it about at the hole's midpoint. Takes about 2 minutes to fabricate, and makes it much easier to re-install the cotter pin for the spring. Just slip it over the screw to compress the spring.

Geez, could you have posted this last week when I had mine apart!!

It was a pain in the ****!!!!

 

[Oberst Hajj]

Hi guys, I'm completely new to the old vise world and would like to know what you guys think of this one.

Thanks for any insight on it.

Keith

 

[Outlawmws]

If it is an good as the pictures indicate, I'd say go for i. While not a swivel base vise, I think I see a line that makes it a swivel jaw vise...

 

[oldldh]

If it is an good as the pictures indicate, I'd say go for i. While not a swivel base vise, I think I see a line that makes it a swivel jaw vise...

What the "Galactic Guru" of Vise Minutia just said...

 

[drivesitfar]

Oberst: i agree with Outlaw and Oldie that if it looks as good in person as it does in the pictures you have a winner there for $50. of course inspect for any cracks or painted over welds and if you don't see any pay the man and bring it home.

 

[Oberst Hajj]

Thanks guys. What would be needed to take it apart and inspect the screw and such? Besides cracks, anything else I should look for (please include the stupid people stuff )?

 

[nine4gmc]

I don't see the line for a swivel jaw, just what looks like a beat on anvil plate, also there is no hole for the swivel pin. The price is right though if it's not damaged.

 

[oldldh]

Once more into the "Ridiculous Prices on Ebay"...

As my ancient brain recalls...

Someone is looking for a "Really Nice Reed 2C"...

Well, here's a nice one...

 

[alinc100]

had a little down time today while out in the shop I decided to get a head start on Andrew's new Parker 436 vise. The refurb is gonna be nice since the vise was in such great shape. I was able to tint the primer close to the finish coat so it's easier to cover.

Whadda y'all think:

 

[GETRIDAONE]

I thought that vise was green to start with

 

[AndrewH]

I thought that vise was green to start with

LOL! it is green, but he's just messing with me because I haven't picked it up yet

 

[alinc100]

I thought that vise was green to start with

I was able to bead blast all that ugly green away and got a layer of tinted primer.

LOL! it WAS green, but he's just messing with me because I haven't picked it up yet

I could have sworn you wanted it repainted, You said something about a vise your girlfriend would like.

 

[CoopVA]

Finished restoring my Wilton 9400 today.




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[Hako86]

Looks really nice and classic! That gold is only a small detail but it looks awsome! Really like the combination between the grey and gold

 

[McBrownie]

Looks really nice and classic! That gold is only a small detail but it looks awsome! Really like the combination between the grey and gold

Or, those could be some of the brass lockdowns which were on some of the early Wiltons. I agree, it looks nice. Is there a date stamp on the key way?