Wilton 645 help please

[CalsXS2]

I just came home and found this vise and fan sitting in front of my garage door. I swear I have no idea where they came from. Time will tell I guess,,,lol.

It's a 5" 645 rusted up tight. I don't know if it's worth messing with. Is it

Right now I have it soaking in Kroil oil. I do feel bad. Four little frogs came crawling out when I soaked it down. Now that I look at the pictures I can see a frog inside of the vise,,,lol. See him in the last picture.

So anyway. Is this considered a good vise. Is it sought after like the bullet vise. I have one of those I restored.

Can you guys give me a manufacture date.

I guess it's not bad for free if it loosens up. Any tips??

 

[WWShop]

Wow!! Wish that would happen to me! I would say it is definitely worth cleaning up and using. Sweet looking vise.

 

[exmaxima1]

Looks like a great candidate for electrolysis

 

[Roberts210]

Sorry that was me. I had a few too many brews and only set them down there to catch my breath while walking home. I'll be by to pick the vise back up, but you can keep the fan. Where did you say you lived?

Seriously, good catch! Somebody likes you.

 

[Rory Bellows]

Looks like a great candidate for electrolysis

x2. If you have a battery charger then do it. I always feel like Mr. Wizard whenever I do it. Science. It works!

 

[1982fxr]

It's not in the same league as a bullet, but for free it's worth saving imho. That style of pipe jaws are made from unobtanium.

if it was mine...don't waste any more expensive Kroil on it if it is locked up solid. Get a 5 gallon bucket or similar and fill it with any combo of diesel/atf (used is fine)/brake fluid. Give it a few days to work. Once it's free---electrolysis time baby!

 

[1982fxr]

electrolysis might break it free, but the bath certainly should. i would do the bath first because it would **** to pull it out of an e-tank, then still have to put it in the bath...and then have to wash all the "whatever" off good enough to get a solid paint job (assuming you would want to paint it).

 

[CalsXS2]

I'd say the pipe jaws are missing aren't they?

Can anybody date this thing?

 

[1982fxr]

yes they are missing, and made of unobtanium.

meaning, you will probably never find replacements.

 

[James Bond]

I have the same Wilton 645 5" vise that I will be start restoring sometime next week using Evapo-Rust rust removal.
mine came without pipe jaws also, but luckily I have a Wilton 8-643 3 1/2 inch that it's pipe jaws fits the Wilton 645 perfectly.
I have seen several (not restored) Wilton 645 bench vises sold on ebay in the range between $159.00 & $279.00. After all it's a vintage Wilton 5" vise & made in USA, why it shouldn't be worth good money. Mine will be put to use on a lot of future jobs.

Here are some photos of mine.

Also here's one on ebay starting bid is $200 and shipping is $100

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Very-Nice-W...492608?hash=item25bb51d640:g:UyMAAOSwY3RXJnHT

 

[exmaxima1]

.
I have seen several (not restored) Wilton 645 bench vises sold on ebay in the range between $159.00 & $279.00. After all it's a vintage Wilton 5" vise & made in USA, why it shouldn't be worth good money.

Most are under $100, and I think that is all they are worth. After all, it's only 30,000psi cast iron and cheap formed steel--not a "bullet" design. Not all Wiltons are created equal.