Unusual Vise
- Thread starter Stephenw
- Start date
This is in much better condition than the one I bought recently. Mine is missing the original locking mechanism. If you do decide to get it, can you please post a few pictures to show the internals of the locking mechanism? Thanks in advance.
neophyte
Well-known member
It’s a Wilton Turret Vise.
It’s a simplified version of an older Patternmakers vise like Emmert was famous for.
I don't know whether the Wilton version’s design was simplified for cost reasons, or to make the vise more solid.
Stephenw’s vise appears to be the slightly simpler second version if I remember correctly.
ssdave’s version is the earlier version.
The earlier version had a hardy hole for stake tools like those used for blacksmithing and jewelry making.
The hardy hole was probably removed on the later version because it seems like the kind of thing people might use too heavily causing vise failure.
The vise should be an excellent vise for woodworking or gunsmithing.
It’s a simplified version of an older Patternmakers vise like Emmert was famous for.
I don't know whether the Wilton version’s design was simplified for cost reasons, or to make the vise more solid.
Stephenw’s vise appears to be the slightly simpler second version if I remember correctly.
ssdave’s version is the earlier version.
The earlier version had a hardy hole for stake tools like those used for blacksmithing and jewelry making.
The hardy hole was probably removed on the later version because it seems like the kind of thing people might use too heavily causing vise failure.
The vise should be an excellent vise for woodworking or gunsmithing.
Sevenhills1952
Well-known member
Wilton is one of the best vices I understand.
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Sent from my SM-S320VL using Tapatalk
davethorik
Well-known member
Not necessarily true. Wilton made lots of cheap vises.
I believe these turret vises were originally designed and made by Sheldon, then Wilton got production rights somehow . I think someone here posted one up with a Wilton sticker over Sheldon lettering. They are not true patternmakers vises as it doesn't tilt or allow for tapered work, but they are interesting. I would say 175 is high, if i saw one for 40 it would come home with me.
Wilton patented the "Universal Turret Vise" in 1961 and made them for Sheldon. The original version used a square alignment assembly, while the later version posted by the OP uses a pair of rods for that function. As to value, I recently sold mine and it fetched considerably more than $175.
