Wilton 5" Bullet Vise

[vonhef]

I have found an old Wilton 5" bullet vise for sale for $75.00. As long as it isn't cracked, I thought it would be a good one to restore. Question is, can I get the sliding handle somewhere? If not, I may have one built at a local machine shop.

I will get my eyes on it later today.

 

[Zrexxer]

Hard to tell from one picture, but it looks like that one has had a hard life.

 

[BJ42LX]

Vonhef,

That vise is in rough condition. New jaws and a handle could be $150 - $200.

I'd think long and hard before investing my time - let alone money - in that one.

Doesn't hurt to look at it though.

Why not give this guy a call on the C3? Top of the line, better condition, all the pieces are there. Start peeling off $50's and the guy may let it go for $250. Hell, if I were closer I'd hit that one hard.

http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/tls/4921890185.html

 

[GETRIDAONE]

That one has been beat & welded on. It depends on if you want it to use it or have it look nice
You would have to get a handle made and probably new jaws. Check for cracks in the housing and and swivel base. If it goes in and out smooth, chances are the but and threads are OK.

 

[Bill Ramsey]

Vonhef,

That vise is in rough condition. New jaws and a handle could be $150 - $200.

I'd think long and hard before investing my time - let alone money - in that one.

Doesn't hurt to look at it though.

I saw that one too but too far from me (two days before it was listed, I was in Lawton on business ). I agree that one looks like it's been rode hard and put away wet. More than once. But if you're not far from it, doesn't hurt to look. If there's something really wrong with it (cracks, etc.), it might be worth offering much less, to gain good parts for your next Wilton.

 

[michiganman18]

I agree it does look like its had a hard life. Maybe a good beater

 

[vonhef]

Does Wilton still sell new jaws for these old bullet vises?


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[zkling]

The handle would be the least of my worries. As long as there are NO cracks, welds, chunks missing, large dings or just plain worn out I'd probably go for it. You can make a handle and smooth jaws pretty easily even with basic, average home shop tools. Or you can pay one of the number of people on here that make top shelf parts.

 

[LordPsychon]

A lot rides on your criteria for restoration. If you wanted to restore it to factory specs (if there is such a thing for vices), you'd contact Wilton or whomever owns Wilton nowadays for the parts. If you wanted to restore it to functionality, standard fittings aren't hard to make and replace.

 

[BJ42LX]

Does Wilton still sell new jaws for these old bullet vises?

KMScott here on Garage Journal will custom make you a set - better than the ones available from Wilton!

I'm surprised he hasn't wandered in to this thread yet...

 

[drivesitfar]

Hef: unless you are able to make the parts yourself the handle and the jaws are some of the most expensive items on a vise especially a Wilton. i'm not saying that is a terrible deal because it isn't if you need one for you self, but to flip it you won't have much room unless you are making the handles and new jaws providing everything else is ok like ZK mentioned already.

the C3 is not a common Wilton bullet and one of their very best for a home's garage or a commercial one. the jaws are pretty beat up on it so plan for $100to $150 ish to replace them. also one thing to look at especially on big Wiltons that have damage to their jaws possibly from a BFH is to turn them over and see if the swivel base is cracked or repaired because it was their weak point.

unless you need a Wilton Bullet i might pass on the one for $75 and keep looking for one of the many other vise companies that probably made vises that made it to your area. i'm guessing with all the oil in OK that you might have some big guys hiding in or around a barn or warehouse. keep your eyes peeled and if you see an add for old tools ask if they have any vises or other tools just in case.

good luck

 

[KMScott]

vonhef, here is a drawing of a handle that you could take to a local machine shop, I do not have a 5 inch handle drawing since I have not seen one yet but you can measure your spindle and revise one of my drawings. I would also check the backlash and see if the groove is wore, sometimes a vise in a abrasive environment and has not been kept clean and greased regularly will look like the the photo I added. The jaws are not cheap to make, the ones I make are premium jaws and are bought mostly by company's that need quality components and that do not want to replace their vise's with new ones. A new set of jaws really changes the workings of a vise. Good luck.

 

[franzdom]

This vise makes me glad I didn't wait to find a used one and just went new.

 

[oldldh]

Get the Wilton C-3...

Post Haste!!!

 

[vonhef]

Well ... I bought it for $50. The base is in great shape and so is the spindle. It does have the spindle c retainer tack welded to the body, but I think I can repair it.. I didn't buy this to flip, but to use in my shop. I will take photos and post to this thread soon. Thanks for the help guys!!!


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[zkling]

Someone tacked the retainer to the body? Geeze. If all you have is a welder....

 

[Fretters]

Wise decision. That vice looks quite peachy, judging from the photo. Nowt that a little fettling and basic fabrication won't sort.

 

[Fugio]

For $50 I'd buy it. It would make a terrific vise to bolt to the truck or trailer. I'd just clean/paint it and leave it alone otherwise. Re-attach those jaws and it's good enough for me.
I'd probably hit a pawn shop for a long, tempered/hardened Phillips screwdriver of the right diameter and length to cut and make a new handle with. Again, it's good enough.

 

[vonhef]

I am surprised at how much larger the 5" c3 is over the 4.5" Tradesman.

Here are some of the markings cast in the side of it, and am wondering how old it is?

This is where they welded the C clip to the body:

Finally a photo of the loose jaw:

This should make a fun project to repair.

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

I don't think it's a C3, the c-series is a combination vise with pipe jaws.

Date should be on the keyway of the slide.

 

[Bobioz1]

It's not a C3. No pipe jaws and it would be bigger.

 

[vonhef]

So it's not a c3.... could it be what they called a "Machinist"?
Thanks to Shadowrulez I found the build date of December 1st 1957

Correction: I misread it as 1957, but its 1967

 

[oldldh]

So it's not a c3.... could it be what they called a "Machinist"? Thanks to Shadowrulez I found the build date of December 1st 1957

Your vise is a Wilton 500S...

Old style...

See the difference in a 500 Machinist Vise, and a 1755 Tradesman...

Mucho different...the 500S is just about the perfect size, in the Wilton world...

The two cutaways will show you the way things go together...

Good luck on your restoration...

 

[vonhef]

Your vise is a Wilton 500S...

Old style...

See the difference in a 500 Machinist Vise, and a 1755 Tradesman...

Mucho...the 500S is as good as it gets, in the Wilton world...

Thanks for the information!

 

[balane]

Here's an old 5" like yours in original color. They can be nice with some work.

.

 

[bluebolt]

So it's not a c3.... could it be what they called a "Machinist"?
Thanks to Shadowrulez I found the build date of December 1st 1957

Can you post a pic of the date and the sides of the vise?

 

[vonhef]

Here's an old 5" like yours in original color. They can be nice with some work.

.

Sweet! That vise is in great shape. What is that paint color?

 

[balane]

It looked like yours when I got it. Here is the color;

http://www.lowes.com/pd_351816-4-410.0085084.076_0__?productId=3729109

It's the closest I've found to the old Chicago mint green paint.

 

[vonhef]

It looked like yours when I got it. Here is the color;

http://www.lowes.com/pd_351816-4-410.0085084.076_0__?productId=3729109

It's the closest I've found to the old Chicago mint green paint.

Thanks Balane

 

[vonhef]

Can you post a pic of the date and the sides of the vise?

Sure! I took a photo and realized I misread the date the first time. It was built in 1967, not 57 as I previously stated.

Here are the sides:

 

[bluebolt]

LOL I thought that 1957 date was mis-read. No bullets have been found so far with a date stamped 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957 or 1958. It appears to be because Wilton changed on how they marked the date, very early ones were blank (1941-1944), early ones (1945-1953) were date they were released for sale, then those with GUAR EXP on them it was the expiration of the 5 year warranty (date stamps of 1959-1964) and then back to date of release for sale (1960 date stamps and up without GUAR EXP on the slide.

We are still researching it so this is not gospel but with nearly 200 vises in the database it's looking pretty likely.

 

[drivesitfar]

Hef & ALL: the C3 was the other vise that was sitting on the tailgate of a pick up and not the one Hef bought for $50. not sure if it was the same seller, but i thought it was mentioned that Hef might have been close enough to pick it up in person if he could negotiate the asking price down a bit.

Hef: congrats on your purchase and it should be a great vise for your bench. those 5 inch Wilton Bullets are built pretty stout.

 

[ilovevocs]

Wilton 5" Bullet Vise

If you have a drill press and taps I would venture to make my own jaws and handle.

I like to make aluminum jaws too. I find myself leaving them in my vise most of the time. I work with aluminum allot, they are cheap and easy to make. I personally have a mill to I like to cut a small relief in the top of the jaw to hold pieces proud of the vise for bench work.

You could likely find a piece of drill rod to use as the handle and just tap it and put two pieces of round stock on the ends. I think using a countersunk fastener would help resist lateral force. You could even get ballsy and chuck the round stock for the handle ends in a drill press and round then off with a grinder or a file. Sure someone will flame me for this but what ever. You learn to make due with what you have until you can afford more.

These are all parts that could be made with simple tools and some ingenuity. Not saying your going to be producing super high quality parts but IMHO would be worth the effort for the gratification alone.

Nice piece, good luck.