Wilton 2-1/2 inch vise questions

[chargedmr2]

So, my neighbor just gave me a small Wilton vise. I knew he had worked in the tool industry, but it turned out he retired from a long career with Wilton. When I found that out, I told him I’d been on the search for a bullet vise for a while. Long story short, we just moved out of the neighborhood and he very generously gave me a small Wilton bullet vise that was brand new in the box as a departing gift.

It’s a small Model 250s and I’ve got a couple of questions.

Can I buy parts for this model? I’m looking for a set of smooth jaws (it has some fairly aggressive jaws that look great for gripping, but smooth jaws might come in handy, too). I can’t seem to find any info or references to a model 250s anywhere online.

Does Wilton still make these? Looks like this one is from 1998. It’s not vintage, but I’m wondering if maybe some of the older vintage 2.5 inch vises use compatible jaws. I found a set of 2.5” jaws, but it wasn’t clear that they would work for this 250s I’ve got. I think it was listed for a 825 or something similar to that.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[rusty65]

Old parts should work. I’ve got a 250s from the same period as yours and a 2 1/2 in from 1945 and they are virtually identical. The only thing I’d say is have the height of jaw measured and the distance between holes. Wilton basically stopped making this model around 2000 and I’d be like willing to bet that they wouldn’t have parts. Benchvisejaws.com is starting to ramp up again so if your looking for something brand new they might be a good resource. You would need to email the site owner versus browse there available catalog.


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[rusty65]

Actually I forgot that model Wilton you have you can flip the jaws and use the back side. The screws will not be flush but you could use the jaws in that manner.


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[Burn1]

Measure the width of your removable jaw inserts, height and thickness. Once you do that, go to the following website and see if they have a set.
Wilton offered both serrated and smooth jaw inserts.

Your neighbor is a nice person to give you a Wilton.
Once had a neighbor who I gave the middle finger when he finally moved away.

http://www.wiltonviseparts.net/2-1-2-inch-wilton-bench-vise-jaws/

Burn
TX

 

[Roberts210]

Chargedmr2, that is a great story. Can you post some pictures of the vise and also the box it came in. There are people who will salivate when they see those pictures. The small Wiltons have a cult following.

 

[chargedmr2]

All thanks for the info. Glad to see that I can still pick up some smooth jaws for this.

I didn’t realize the small ones were so popular. I’m still on the road from TX to MT for our move, but I’ll try to post a few pictures when I can (I tossed it in the back of our car, rather than on the moving truck, so I’ve got it with me). The box is in fairly rough shape, but the vise is just like new.

 

[macgee]

chargedmr2,

I've had several of these and agree with you, I've ended up making several of my own softer jaws out of either copper, aluminum, hard Oak wood and polyamide-imide (sanded rough). I've made a bunch over the years

The jaws are so small, that's it quick work and easy to make you own and finding scrap material for them is easy.

Awesome story and nice to hear, you had a very nice/good neighbor. Not many Baby Bullets are ever found still in the box. You might want to search for the matching Wilton 343 Pow-R-Arm Junior locking ball joint base, It will raise the vise to a whole new level making it the ultimate third hand. Sadly they're not cheap but it'll never lose its value and most people with a baby bullet get one.

Have a safe drive to your new home. Cheers

 

[chargedmr2]

Great suggestion on making jaws for this vise. I’ll took a look at the Powrarm and it looks like it would add some great functionality. I think my vise is a little bigger than the baby version, so I’m not sure that powrarm would fit? Or maybe there’s another model I should look for?

We’ve finally arrived to our destination, so I’ll try to post some pictures in a few minutes.

 

[chargedmr2]

I’ve never posted pictures before, so hope it works. I happen to have my good camera with me, so hopefully that helps get some decent images.

 

[chargedmr2]

Pictures posted twice, but at least they’re there...

 

[Fierljeppen]

chargedmr2...What a beautiful vise! The Wilton vise no. 250S isn't listed in the 1998 Wilton catalog, so I'd say the manufacturing years of that model are (1945-1998). The box adds value to your vise, so don't neglect or separate it from any sales or trades you may do with the vise going forward. The date-code of 1998 is the latest I've ever seen for that model and the box has the proper Wilton logos for that time period.

How about a few more excellent photos, including the date code and shipping box?

 

[drivesitfar]

MR2: if you are planning on using a brand new old stock baby bullet out of it's original box i'd suggest leaving the original jaws on and either buying a set of copper Wilton jaws if they make them for 2.5 inch vises or make some yourself to set over the original jaws.

that way you can get a nice soft bite that won't mark up your projects and if you do need a bit more grip you can remove the jaws, but honestly i'd just leave the copper or aluminum jaws on 100% of the time.

here's a little bigger vise that is on my bench with copper jaws so you can see sort of what they look like.

also welcome to GJ!!!

 

[chargedmr2]

I’ll get a few more pictures later. I think the date code was 12 98, but I’ll double check.

I like the idea of the copper jaw caps, but I couldn’t seem to find them in 2-1/2 size. Wilton still makes them in 3”.

 

[AngryBeaver]

check eBay there are a ton of 2.5" jaw caps in brass, copper, and bronze.

 

[chargedmr2]

Finally got around to taking some more pictures.

 

[paulsomlo]

Hard to believe the interest this is generating on ebay - I thought the tulip craze was over.

 

[Jayman17]

You made me curious so I checked $1300 already with 4 days to go.

 

[hitechneanderthol]

I’ll get a few more pictures later. I think the date code was 12 98, but I’ll double check.

I like the idea of the copper jaw caps, but I couldn’t seem to find them in 2-1/2 size. Wilton still makes them in 3”.

Wilton does not make the 2" or 2 1/2" copper soft covers anymore.
You can find them every great once in a blue moon on ebay - very expensive. A while back I found a few pair of unused/unformed covers on Craigslist.
If you are going to USE your vise I would make or buy some copper flat bar and make a pair of jaws.
If you are going for collector value then the factory "Wilton" covers are the way to go.

BTW, your vise says, "Schiller PK" cast in it. THAT makes it worth more than if it said "Chicago".

 

[hitechneanderthol]

There are?... Really?...
Where?
3", 4" and some other sizes, sure, but 2 1/2"?

check eBay there are a ton of 2.5" jaw caps in brass, copper, and bronze.

 

[Roberts210]

HiTechNeanderthal posted: "BTW, your vise says, "Schiller PK" cast in it. THAT makes it worth more than if it said "Chicago".

I bought my first two Wilton machinist vises in 1992--a 4.5 " and a 3", but have never heard this before. Why do you think this is true?

BTW, at that time I paid $85 for the 4.5" and $45 for the 3".

 

[BlackVersa2]

HiTechNeanderthal posted: "BTW, your vise says, "Schiller PK" cast in it. THAT makes it worth more than if it said "Chicago".

I bought my first two Wilton machinist vises in 1992--a 4.5 " and a 3", but have never heard this before. Why do you think this is true?

BTW, at that time I paid $85 for the 4.5" and $45 for the 3".

I believe he is talking about just the babies (2") and toddlers (2.5") marked Schiller Park. in the bigger sizes it doesn't seem to matter as much. I have a Schiller Park 2.5" toddler and I've had collectors tell me it's worth more being newer, it has a 1990 date code.

Although "you ****" on those prices on the big ones and "you ****" to the op for being resourceful and helping out. Lol

 

[hitechneanderthol]

Exactly BlackVersa2, I was referring to the 2" and 2 1/2" vises.
Wilton did not change the bucks for these two sizes like they did on the 3" and larger sizes when they moved their factory in 1957.

 

[Roberts210]

Thanks for clearing things up.