Wilton Bullet 6” Vise

[marine-mp]

Hello the forum. I recently won a 6” Wilton Bullet Vise that was in pretty good shape on Hi-Bid, for $190.00. Date of Mfg. is 1965. Non-swivel. There are couple things that require some attention, but that don’t affect the operation of it at all. The handle is a “cobbled” up piece that I’d like to fix. Replacing it is pretty straightforward, but could any of yuns with a 6” bullet tell me how long a stock handle would be from tip to tip?? Also, are there any “tip or tricks” to getting the 4 large hex-head bolts loose that hold the jaws on?? I tried the penetrating fluid, hit ‘em several times with a blunt-end air hammer and put a cheater (I know!!!) on the long-handled hex-wrench. I don’t have a torch, so heat is out!! And I’ll consider them “leaverite bolts” if I can’t get ‘em loose ‘cause I don’t wanna wring ‘em off. Any-who, any help on this Wilton-Whale (what my brother calls it!!) would be most appreciated!! Thank you kindly. Semper-fi & This We’ll Defend, Mike

 

[Roberts210]

That IS a whale, and you got it at a great price. A propane torch is pretty cheap, if you want to try heat. Do you have an impact wrench?

 

[lafester]

I'll measure my handle for you in a few. I would would try a hex socket and ratchet or impact if you feel lucky.

Handle is 13 3/4 inches.

 

[ChefRex]

Hmmm, you ****.

 

[marine-mp]

Thanks for the replies. Roberts210, yes I have a propane torch and a impact wrench. Hadn’t thot of the impact. Lafester, I have a hex socket and ratchet. I used the long hex wrench and cheater in it’s place!! Thanks for the oal on the handle. The one on it now is barely 12” and thot it needed more. ChefRex…I think you forgot the “exclamation” marks after the “you ****” remark!!!!!!!!!!!�������� Semper-fi & This We’ll Defend, Mike

 

[Roberts210]

You ****!!!!!!! There, I fixed it for you.

 

[toolchaser]

I think Tom Lipton did a video where he built a new vise handle with ball ends & peened on the second ball

 

[ChefRex]

Thanks for the replies. Roberts210, yes I have a propane torch and a impact wrench. Hadn’t thot of the impact. Lafester, I have a hex socket and ratchet. I used the long hex wrench and cheater in it’s place!! Thanks for the oal on the handle. The one on it now is barely 12” and thot it needed more. ChefRex…I think you forgot the “exclamation” marks after the “you ****” remark!!!!!!!!!!!�������� Semper-fi & This We’ll Defend, Mike

I coulda said nasty things about your mama but I'm not that guy, thank you for your service!

 

[marine-mp]

Thank y’all for the suggestions, video suggestions and the flowers!!! ChefRex, thank you for the kind words. It was my honor and privilege to serve the greatest country in the world. Thank y’all kindly. Semper-fi & This We’ll Defend, Mike

 

[drivesitfar]

Marine: a couple ideas on repairing your vise. Wilton uses an engineered steel handle so it will bend instead of breaking the vise so you might just bend it back straight if it's original instead of making a better one.

another method of getting stuck screws out of your jaws if you need to remove them is to put a slotted or phillips bit in the screw and tighten it in the vise then use a small wrench to turn the 1/4 inch bit. there are many pictures of that method over on the Vise repair 101 thread if you want to post your vise with questions over there. i'd post a picture of what i'm mentioning, but sadly I had 2 laptops crash that had a ton of pics saved and I don't have any available.

good luck!!

 

[Packard V8]

FWIW, I use an impact gun with a bit in it. Lean hard into the screw and begin by hitting it a couple of light licks in the "ON" direction. Then, switch to "OFF", lean hard into it and hit it lightly until it loosens. Worked for me.

jack vines