Wilton 835 Restoration

[blsnelling]

This is my first post here, having been introduced by a fellow Wilton bullet junkie. I was in the market for a new vise, and so began my intrigue with these beautiful vises. I bought a new 450S for the garage last week.

Anyway, about this old 835. I picked this vise up locally from a Craigslist add. It's been beat on, sawed on, and painted so many times you could hardly read the cast in letters/numbers. But, it's intact and functional. It's dated 12-1-1967, so was manufactured in 1962.

I began with a full disassembly. This was a bit of a challenge given the condition of the hardware. I then stripped all the paint using a 6" wire brush on a bench grinder and a wire cup on a 4 1/2" angle grinder. I then washed everything in the parts washer.

There are no cracks, just lots of dings and saw marks. I'm not sure how to go about prettying it up, or if I should. I would like to remove most of the dings, but will end up with some smooth areas and some cast finished areas. Any advise here?

On a technical note, I have quite a bit of end play on the dynamic jaw. What is the best way to correct this? Would I have to make a custom horseshoe washer?

Other than what I've already mentioned, it looks like all I'll need is an end cap, all new hardware, and maybe a new set of jaws.

I've seen both of these recommended for an end cap.
http://www.etrailer.com/Grease-Caps/Fulton/F001610.html
http://www.ereplacementparts.com/end-piece-assembly-two-pins-p-945295.html

Jaws
http://www.wiltonviseparts.net/3-1-2-x-1-0-x-5-8-serrated-wilton-vise-jaws-fits-the-wilton-350-and-the-101160-vises/

Where would I source the misc pins and hardware?

 

[RStewart]

All I can say is nice work so far. I know others much more knowledgeable in the fine arts of restoration will help out.

 

[Bcom]

I may be mistaken but it looks like you have 2 different vises put together to form one. You got and 835 dynamic and a 9350 static. I believe its 2 different vises which is why nothing lines up. I have new endcaps for this vise for sale. PM me.

 

[tvtaurus]

Looks great! Are you going to paint it though?

 

[Bcom]

Here are the end caps i sell. $28 shipped. I also have a wilton 9300 and 2 9450s im parting out.

pc screenshot

image free hosting

 

[Roberts210]

I may be mistaken but it looks like you have 2 different vises put together to form one. You got and 835 dynamic and a 9350 static. I believe its 2 different vises which is why nothing lines up.....

That's definitely a 9350 static.

Poor old vise has sure been beat on. Glad you are saving it. Do you know any of it's previous history?

 

[exmaxima1]

Correction: "It's dated 12-1-1967, so was manufactured in 1962."

Should be: IT'S DATED 12-1-1967 AND DOESN'T SAY "GUAR EXP" AS WELL, SO IT WAS MADE IN 1967

 

[blsnelling]

I may be mistaken but it looks like you have 2 different vises put together to form one. You got and 835 dynamic and a 9350 static. I believe its 2 different vises which is why nothing lines up. I have new endcaps for this vise for sale. PM me.

Here are the end caps i sell. $28 shipped. I also have a wilton 9300 and 2 9450s im parting out.

That's definitely a 9350 static.

Poor old vise has sure been beat on. Glad you are saving it. Do you know any of it's previous history?

Ouch. So what I have is basically worthless Thanks for the info.

 

[blsnelling]

Looks great! Are you going to paint it though?

Well, I was planning on it. Now I don't know what to do with it.

Do you know any of it's previous history?

The guy I got it from is in his 60s and he said he got it from his father in law.

Correction: "It's dated 12-1-1967, so was manufactured in 1962."

Should be: IT'S DATED 12-1-1967 AND DOESN'T SAY "GUAR EXP" AS WELL, SO IT WAS MADE IN 1967

Thanks for the info.

 

[blsnelling]

What do you guys recommend I do with this thing now?

 

[Bcom]

What i personally do with them is sell them for parts. However you dont have the swivel base or the endcap and those are the pieces that sell. You could keep it and just reburbish it like you were gonna do but all it would have is sentimental value. You could try to find another static or dynamic to match the other half and that may be hard to do as well and even finding a matching piece doesnt mean it will fit perfectly together. In my opinion its a parts vise but if it has family value, go ahead and repaint it. I can even get you a new end cap but as for trying to sell it, it really isnt worth anything but parts. Sorry.

 

[Shiftless]

Unless you were planning on making it a museum piece, just use it!
If it bothers you a lot, sell it to somebody else who wants to use it and buy another one to restore.
If it runs in and out smoothly and lines up pretty well, I think it is a user and not necessarily just a parts vise.

 

[blsnelling]

No sentimental value at all. As mentioned, I bought it off Craigslist this afternoon as my first vintage Wilton for restoration.

This explains why the dynamic jaw is so sloppy in the static jaw, despite the bore and shaft being in good condition. It also explains why the key does not fit the keyway properly, allowing approximately 1/8" rotation at the jaw. Also, the dynamic jaw is measurably lower than the static jaw.

I suppose a guy could use this if in a pinch, but I didn't buy it just to use. What a bummer

 

[Bcom]

Another thing,if you decide to refurbish it and order new jaws, the jaws still wont fit correctly because you have two different halfs.

 

[blsnelling]

It makes no sense to invest the time, energy, and money into something that will never have any real value. I appreciate your help!

 

[Bcom]

You should join us in the "vises or garage journal" thread. Im almost positive someone in there would sell you and ship you a vise at a decent price that you could still reburbish.

 

[blsnelling]

You should join us in the "vises or garage journal" thread. Im almost positive someone in there would sell you and ship you a vise at a decent price that you could still reburbish.

Absolutely. My spirit isn't broken, just hurt, lol.

 

[Bcom]

You should add to your id where youre located so more people can help you find a vise closer to home

 

[G-ManBart]

While it's definitely a mix of two different vises, if you look at your before pictures, the jaws lined up pretty well. In the after pictures the jaws have been flipped to put the crisp lines on top, and that rarely works. Try mixing and matching the jaws...put the worn sides on top and try them in both halves and see if you get a combination that lines up.

Also, with the jaws out, push the dynamic all the way until it touches, or nearly touches, the static jaw. If the bottom ledge of the jaw supports line up, a new set of jaws should line up pretty well.

None of that will fix the slop in the slide, but it would still be a useable vise.

 

[blsnelling]

Also, with the jaws out, push the dynamic all the way until it touches, or nearly touches, the static jaw. If the bottom ledge of the jaw supports line up, a new set of jaws should line up pretty well.

I did this. The dynamic jaw is lower.

 

[blsnelling]

You should add to your id where youre located so more people can help you find a vise closer to home

Will do.

 

[blsnelling]

You should add to your id where youre located so more people can help you find a vise closer to home

I see you're from north central Ohio. We live in Franklin, south of Dayton, and my inlaws live in Findlay.

 

[Bcom]

I see you're from north central Ohio. We live in Franklin, south of Dayton, and my inlaws live in Findlay.

Im 20miles from findlay but around 100miles from dayton

 

[Bcom]

Now that i look at your Green wilton,i remeber seeing it on CL. Its been on there for a long long time. The guy originally had two vises for sale. One of them sold not long ago and the green one was left.

 

[bulletpruf]

This is my first post here, having been introduced by a fellow Wilton bullet junkie. I was in the market for a new vise, and so began my intrigue with these beautiful vises. I bought a new 450S for the garage last week.

Anyway, about this old 835. I picked this vise up locally from a Craigslist add. It's been beat on, sawed on, and painted so many times you could hardly read the cast in letters/numbers. But, it's intact and functional. It's dated 12-1-1967, so was manufactured in 1962.

I began with a full disassembly. This was a bit of a challenge given the condition of the hardware. I then stripped all the paint using a 6" wire brush on a bench grinder and a wire cup on a 4 1/2" angle grinder. I then washed everything in the parts washer.

There are no cracks, just lots of dings and saw marks. I'm not sure how to go about prettying it up, or if I should. I would like to remove most of the dings, but will end up with some smooth areas and some cast finished areas. Any advise here?

On a technical note, I have quite a bit of end play on the dynamic jaw. What is the best way to correct this? Would I have to make a custom horseshoe washer?

Other than what I've already mentioned, it looks like all I'll need is an end cap, all new hardware, and maybe a new set of jaws.

I've seen both of these recommended for an end cap.

Jaws

Where would I source the misc pins and hardware?

Hey Brad - Welcome to GJ!

Knowing your attention to detail, I think this is a parts vise. Hang on to it and pick up another one. You may need some bits, but if not, eventually you'll find someone who needs one half or the other.

If you end up with one that's been beat on as much as this one, you can do some minor "bodywork" with files, grinders, sanders, etc, and fill in deep gouges with JB Weld.

For the rest of the folks here, Brad is well-known in chainsaw circles as a master restorer of vintage Stihl chainsaws. I'm waiting to see the finished product when he finds the right vise to start with.

Scott

 

[maintenancemike]

Will do.

I think (not positive) I have that vise at the shop. The stationary portion of the vise has a crack in it, but the moveable jaw is in mint condition.
I have the 450s as well, and I bought that nearly flawless for $100.00.
The problem it had was the washer/slop in the action. I welded the groove solid and turned it back to spec with a lathe, then machined a new washer. It is factory now.
I will have to check on the little Wilton, there's a chance I could be able to help you out. It has been sitting there for a year. I already have another vise to restore anyway.

Sent from my SM-G900R4 using Tapatalk

 

[Tarnished]

Welcome blsnelling, I'm about 20mi north of you in Preble county. To bad about your Wilton, perhaps you can get some of your money back from the seller???
If your interested, I have a pair of 4" Wilton's that I would be willing to part with. Both dated 6-1-67. PM me if your interested.

 

[blsnelling]

I did email the seller last night, including a link to this thread. We'll see what happens.

Thanks fur the intro, Scott.

Anxious to see what you find, Mike.

Thanks for the offer, tarnished.

 

[blsnelling]

Is this another Franken-vise?

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1391626&postcount=10

 

[G-ManBart]

I did this. The dynamic jaw is lower.

That makes me wonder why the jaws appear to line up in your first "before" picture?

The jaws didn't look too bad, so if you put them back in the original configuration the vise would be useable.

If the jaws needed to be replaced, you could get a set from Autopts here for around $40, mount them in the vise, and use a grinder on the high one until the two were even. It's actually easier than you'd think....grinding wheel, light fast, movement until even, then 80 and 120 grit flap discs to smooth things out, and you're set.

 

[blsnelling]

I took some measurements. The ID of the static jaw measures 2.175"-2.185". The OD of the dynamic jaw measures 2.150"-2.165". That's .010"-.035" clearance. No wonder it's a little sloppy.

 

[blsnelling]

Here's a video demonstrating the play and jaw alignment.

 

[Bcom]

Here's a video demonstrating the play and jaw alignment.

Wow thats alot of slop. Its like the keyway on the slide doesnt match the static body and the spindle is not matched either to the dynamic or its missing a whole bunch of shims.

 

[blsnelling]

For future reference, it looks like this freeze plug could be made to work.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/dorman-autograde-steel-cup-expansion-plug-1-45-64-in.-height-0.810-555-032/22140421-P?navigationPath=L1*14923%7CL2*15030%7CL3*16025

 

[Bcom]

Yes, many of people have used freeze plugs to replace the end cap however some people dont like them since it leaves the back of the vise flat and not the original cone shape that identifies with the "bullet" design

 

[drivesitfar]

BLS: a lot of these old Wilton bullets came out of schools and very active auto shops where the slides would get very worn from all of the use.

i didn't read your entire thread, but you might put up your vise and youtube video and pictures over on the vise repair 101 thread to ask what are the possible fixes.

depending on your skills here are a few optoins:

1) remove key way and make a new larger one to put on that should take up the slop
2) put a bead of weld on the existing keyway to snug it up
3) use shims
4) looks like it works ok as is if you can handle that little slop so leave it and use it

freeze plugs work made in both aluminum and brass, chain link fence tops do with a little grinding or cutting it to fit, or BCOM's friend is a machinist and makes some nice solid ones that are more money if you want something really nice.

good luck

 

[Roberts210]

NO it's not worthless! Paint it as you intended to and sell it! Somebody will LOVE that vise. I wouldn't try to pretty it all up either. It has it's wounds and like an old soldier, it bears them proudly--evidence of old battles well-won. As far as the endplay, you might try getting a 16 ga machine bushing and installing it onto the screw so it sits between the screw flange and the dynamic. That has fixed the play on several Wiltons I've owned.

 

[blsnelling]

NO it's not worthless! Paint it as you intended to and sell it! Somebody will LOVE that vise. I wouldn't try to pretty it all up either. It has it's wounds and like an old soldier, it bears them proudly--evidence of old battles well-won.

That's exactly what I plan to do. I'll paint it up, give full disclosure what it is, and see what happens.

 

[blsnelling]

What color would be original to this vise?

 

[G-ManBart]

What color would be original to this vise?

There really isn't one you can go buy that's close. Earlier vises were more of a light blue with gray to it, then they went to a darker gray/blue/green mix that I've never seen reproduced and that's the one your vise should be. Later models went to what looks like Rust-Oleum Hammered Verde Green.

I managed to find a late 1960s vintage 9450 that still had the original paint, so I got a paint shop to match it. I sold it, but picked up another 9450 with some of the original paint on it, so I painted a tail cap and put them next to one another for a picture: