Wilton 1644 vise

[LT95]

Hi all! I am new to this forum and this is my first time posting, so all help is appreciated. I have an old Wilton 1644 bench vise and the main nut is worn through on the top side. I am in need of a nut that fits the main screw, so I can use it to create the new part, or if anyone knows of a place I can purchase the correct part, that works as well. I believe the main screw to be 3/4” x 4-1/2 tpi acme thread. I took the screw to the local machine shop, and they could not produce a nut to fit, nor can I find any 3/4” x4-1/2 tpi acme nuts anywhere on the internet. Any and all help is greatly appreciated!

 

[Andy1234]

https://www.ereplacementparts.com/spindle-nut-p-945240.html

In stock, $12.

 

[turbowoodworker]

That was fast.

 

[Andy1234]

That was fast.

Easy, too.

 

[LT95]

I am curious as to how you are sure that is the correct part. The description gives no dimensions nor thread pitch information. It also does not mention the exact model number of my vise

 

[MileHighRover]

https://www.ereplacementparts.com/spindle-nut-p-945240.html

In stock, $12.

Easy, too.

That replacement spindle shows it's two inches long and the OP shows his is almost three. That shape isn't even close to being the same.

 

[LT95]

Thank you mile high rover. That’s what I was thinking. I talked to a parts guy at Wilton and he could not help me. He informed me that the screw was most likely 4.5 tpi. No machine shops around my area have a tap or die for that thread pitch, so getting a new nut machined is not looking good. I’m not going to order a part unless I’m 100% sure that it is compatible. I have made the decision to have a little machine work done to the screw to essentially change the thread pitch. I’ll share the idea if anyone is interested

 

[Bad Jackson]

Thank you mile high rover. That’s what I was thinking. I talked to a parts guy at Wilton and he could not help me. He informed me that the screw was most likely 4.5 tpi. No machine shops around my area have a tap or die for that thread pitch, so getting a new nut machined is not looking good. I’m not going to order a part unless I’m 100% sure that it is compatible. I have made the decision to have a little machine work done to the screw to essentially change the thread pitch. I’ll share the idea if anyone is interested

Seems odd that Wilton couldn’t help you. I would have bet against that. Maybe scouring eBay is your best option.


I work with Tools.

 

[LT95]

Seems odd that Wilton couldn’t help you. I would have bet against that. Maybe scouring eBay is your best option.


I work with Tools.

Bad Jackson, I was disappointed when Wilton couldn’t help. I have done all the scouring I’m willing to do and have turned to a machine shop for some assistance. This vise is probably not worth spending the money I’m about to spend, but it will get fixed

 

[stonemason66]

I also have a 1644 vise, i was wondering if this was made overseas, because it only has wilton stickers on it

 

[Fierljeppen]

I also have a 1644 vise, i was wondering if this was made overseas, because it only has wilton stickers on it

All of the Wilton Utility and Home vises were originally made in Schiller Park, IL and then sometime in the late 1960's, their production moved to Winchester, TN and continued there at least until the late 1990's.

Post some photos of your vise, including the bottom of the swivel base and we should be able to give you a pretty close estimate of it's circa. The photo below is an early example from the 1960's.

 

[Roberts210]

Looks to me like your original nut is a rare Wilton factory mistake. I think the hole was drilled off center and instead of tossing it out, Wilton tapped it, and then some previous owner tried to fix it by welding it up.