Wilton 1750 Dust Cap

[Powers3]

Apologize in advance since there is a thread already about the cap. I posted my question there but guessing it's an older thread. So my question is about the freeze plug used as the dust cap. I measured the diameter @ 1 -11/16". "Googled" that size freeze plug and didn't find it. Looking for what size you guys typically use. Thanks in advance, Sam.

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

I found one in the Dorman catalog they have the diameters listed.

 

[mrborohachi]

can dust caps be safely removed and still be in good shape to be put back on ?

 

[Trey T]

http://www.dormanproducts.com/catalog/hardware2006/127-130_Sec8_Part1.pdf

Any of those will fit. Search ebay by their part number. If your hole is deep, buy two steel ones and stack it, weld it; you know what to do!

Post your result

 

[Trey T]

Yes, the dorman steel plugs are strong

can dust caps be safely removed and still be in good shape to be put back on ?

 

[drivesitfar]

Powers: welcome to GJ. can you post a few pictures of the Wilton vise that you are missing a dust cover for? probably because a lot of us here at GJ can't get enough vise pictures that is our version of ****, but mainly because want to see if there are any other issues besides a missing cover.

Freeze plugs at the auto parts store are probably the easiest fix, but i'm not a huge fan of it being flat. you can peen it a bit with a hammer to get it rounded a bit, but not much because it won't fit if you do too much. if you have the vise apart you might be able to take it to the parts store to get the right fit the first time if they will help you.

Chain link fence caps are another option, but they are a little thicker and require a bit more work to make those work. i should have kept a file on Wilton parts and may do so now because a couple of other members tried something different that looked like an original one.

good luck and if you do put something to replace the dust cover it will help keep your grease from drying out or getting more dust and dirt inside the screw area.

 

[Powers3]

I will post pics of the "as is" vise. Then again after I get the cap on. Thanks guys.

 

[bigcaddy]

I will post pics of the "as is" vise. Then again after I get the cap on. Thanks guys.

Ive used dust caps before and they work quite well. I posted some numbers and small how-to in the "Vises" thread for my 450 Wilton Swivel jaw. Try looking around April 1st of last year until June. It should be around there somewhere because i know it was done by then


Good luck

 

[Powers3]

http://garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=331526&stc=1&d=1396830918

http://garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=331529&stc=1&d=1396830918

http://garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=331532&stc=1&d=1396830918

here it is. I hope I uploaded it right. Tell me what you guys think.
AND.... I stopped at oriellys and bought a "dust cap". not sure what I think of it yet.

 

[drivesitfar]

not sure why your pictures are sideways, but it looks like a good vise. funny you didn't show the end shot of the missing dust cover, but i'm glad you have the other piece that is in the picture that is pinned to the vise nut.

looks like your vise just needs a good cleaning. sometimes the pinning of the vise nut is a little difficult so be careful with that part if you are not sure how to take it apart. unscrewing the little horseshoe piece in front holding the screw in can be removed and then just take the main screw out to clean, re grease and replace is a good start. PM me again if you have any specific questions or there are many, many Wilton restoration threads if you would like to see them apart and maybe some good pictures.

the freeze plug just sets in place to cover the end of the screw area so you'll see what i mean about it being flat. some of the guys have actually put a freeze plugs in a press with a round piece pressing it, but be careful not to change the diameter if you do it that way.

good luck and please post some more pictures with the cap in place if you do a freeze plug or another type.

 

[Powers3]

I appreciate the help! Looks like an extremely tight tolerance to slide the cap into.

 

[Powers3]

after looking at this picture, im pretty sure the cap goes around the vise screw and not between the vise nut and body.

 

[454ragtop]

Actually, it does go between the vise nut and body.
Jim

 

[Powers3]

well **** Jim. Thanks, hopefully I can work on it tomorrow.

 

[Durka]

There's a rubber plug, -just covering the nut hole on my 1750.

 

[drivesitfar]

here's a Wilton C0 that i own that has a freeze plug in the end as a dust cover. yes it is a little flat, but doesn't look too bad in my opinion.

I've seen some painted and some left in the original silver that they are when you buy them for $1 at the auto parts store.

i also included a Wilton vise that i own that is similar to yours showing the top view of the end and sorry didn't have a better picture to post.

 

[Trey T]

For those C-series, it looks excellent but for 1750 or 1745, it looks funny unless it's flushed.

 

[drivesitfar]

Trey: nice picture and I agree. here is a picture i found that i saved that is a 1.96 inch Fulton grease cap part no. F001610 from etrailer.com. it's a little thicker gauge, but i think it looks better. i can't remember if the GJ member that showed me this had to tweak it a bit to make it fit so might take a little work to end up like this one.

i'm still amazed as many of these dust covers that are missing or damaged that Wilton doesn't make some extra ones to sell since they still sell most parts of these old vises. maybe the do because i haven't checked in a while or maybe they don't know how many they could sell and need a few emails.

 

[Powers3]

I honestly like both the flat and round. bought a dust cap from auto parts store, limited selection, but the closest they had to the size didn't fit.

Another question. What would a nice 400s go for (re-sale)?

 

[drivesitfar]

depends what market you are in. do you see many Wilton vises for sale in your area on Craigs or Ebay? check there first and also depends if you have swivel base. any pictures since it's your thread? Ballpark $200+-

did you see i found the one cap on Etrailer.com and now that you know what size doesn't work maybe you can find one that fits.

 

[Powers3]

I did. Yours turned out great. I stopped and bought a freeze plug at autozone that should slide in once I thin the walls down a bit. But after seeing the rounded end I'm thinkin I'll go that route.

 

[ovaldash52]

depends what market you are in. do you see many Wilton vises for sale in your area on Craigs or Ebay? check there first and also depends if you have swivel base. any pictures since it's your thread? Ballpark $200+-

did you see i found the one cap on Etrailer.com and now that you know what size doesn't work maybe you can find one that fits.

Here is what I did to make the dust cap for my 1750 and C3.

 

[drivesitfar]

Oval: welcome to GJ first of all. also i like your dust cap solution, but i've got a few questions.

1) is it a freeze plug and what size did you use for the 1750 and the C3 cause i'm guessing they were different or were they the same plug just pressed out farther with the ball and socket?

2) did you invent this or just see somebody else do it with the trailer hitch's ball and big 32 MM socket?

3) what did you trim it with and were those two pieces cut off of two caps or just one that you had to re trim?

4) WELL DONE!!

 

[ovaldash52]

O.k for the 1750 I'm using a freeze plug from Doorman part# 55-110 that cost me 0.70 cents in O'Reillys.I trim like 1/8 with a hand saw.For the C3 I'm using grease cap from E trailer that measure 1.96 and I have to expand the inside flange with a hammer and now measure 2 1/8 trim also 1/8 and fit perfect.

 

[ovaldash52]

C3 dust cap.