Wilton 1745 Purchase

[Rosso]

Hi,

I have the chance to buy a Wilton 1745 USA made Vice.

As you can see its not in the best of condition.

Those who have restored them can this be saved ? Looks like it'll need new release handles and a pair of jaws, don't know how i could fix the pitted rear section.

It's important to note im in the UK so getting parts will be very hard as Wilton aren't sold here.

 

[ricleh]

That vise certainly looks like it can be restored. What are your concerns? It looks fine to me as is.

 

[Rosso]

All three handles have rust on them, i could possibly give these to a friend who is an engineer and have him machine them to clean them up.

New jaws are needed, those are £98 from Snap On UK ($120)

Surface rust would would probably clean up with some elbow grease and evaporust etc.

The rear section with the pitting though is pretty deep.

 

[GeoBruin]

Are you sure you posted the right pictures? That vise looks to be in very good shape. That's factory paint too.

You could replace the jaws if you want but those still look to have life left in them where it counts.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

ya that's pretty much pristine for that kind of vise! unscrew the jaw all the way out and it'll have the manufacture date stamped onto the keyway. As far as the handles i'd just take a wire wheel to them. I probably wouldn't pay that for new jaws. Look at some of the restorations on the big vise thread you can polish those up easily. my wilton counterpart to your vise cleaned up very nicely.

Wilton Bullet Vise date stamping. show yours with or without EXP on slide

I've got one to add to the pile a number 3 with a date code of 12-45. I've had it about 15 years and dug it out to send to my secret Santa. Unfortunately I couldn't bear to part with it so since it made it from the shed to the garage I decided I'm going to restore it. Its in good shape but I'm...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

here is some after pictures

 

[decableguy2000]

If you are going to use it, take it apart wire wheel the rust, reassemble and go to town on it. The only way to remove the pitting would be to weld it up and grind it down.

 

[Rosso]

What do you guys think i should be looking to pay ?

The new ones are Taiwan made and cost £1000 UK

This is obviously used but US made.

 

[KMScott]

You can rotate the jaws 180 degrees since all Wilton bullet vises the jaws are drilled on center. Scotch Brite will remove the rust.

 

[wrenchr]

The vise jaws might be able to swap them around. Bevel the edge to minimize chipping. other than that it is still a good vise to own.

Duh I just read the prior post......................................

 

[merkyworks]

That vise is in great shape, like 8.5 out of 10.

Handles - spray with WD40 and scrub with a scotch-brite pad should bring them back.
Anvil surface - angle grinder with a sandpaper disc or a handle file to flatten surface past rust/pitting. Or just WD40/scotch-brite and live with the pitting.
Jaws - unscrew, flip and WD40/scotch-brite as well.
General service - Remove 3 screws holding front collar to dynamic jaw, then unscrew handle all the way. Clean old grease/grime off screw and then regrease and screw it back together and reinstall collar.