Wilton Bullet Vise Information

[EDGAR]

Wilton started production in 1941, so it is a no go on the 1940 date. The 740 number should be a part number. The NO. 4 vise, as well as the other similarly numbered vises, NO.3, NO. 5 etc, were the first generation of vises built from 1941 to about 1945 or 1946. From there on, Wilton has changed the models a few times. Apparently, none of the first generation vises had dates on the long key that fits in the slide.

 

[SGT G]

the date of the Wilton vises are on the slide that fits in the slot below the screw on the bottom of the dynamic jaw (the one that screws out). some have actual date of birth and others say exp and date which means birth date is 5 years prior. the exp date is the end of the 5 year warranty period. is that where you found the date when you say main nut?

No the stamp on my vise was on the nut the dynamic jaw screws into. I was not able to find any other stamps on the vise.

 

[drivesitfar]

not sure you are talking about the same part of the vise as I am because I'm not talking about any bolts. In post #77 of this thread on the second picture down there are two dynamic slides turned over. see the slide that is about 8 inches by a half inch on the bottom of each one?

usually if you wipe off the grease and grime good there is a date on it and sometimes a "exp". did you see any and what is it? as mentioned before some of the early ones don't have a date and others simply had the dates worn off from daily use or a repair.

 

[SGT G]

The part on the upper right hand corner of the picture is the only one that had an actual stamp on it. I cleaned all of the parts thoroughly and found no other stampings.

 

[bluebolt]

The part on the upper right hand corner of the picture is the only one that had an actual stamp on it. I cleaned all of the parts thoroughly and found no other stampings.

The really early ones often don't have dates.

 

[drivesitfar]

are you able to use www.Photobucket.com which is a free site you can use after you sign up to store pictures? or another online picture site? if you can take some close ups of both sides of the main body of your Wilton and post them i'm sure some of the Wilton experts might have a better idea of the year it was made. it looks pretty clean now so sounds like there is no date stamped on the bottom of the slide.

it does have the older jaw style so it might be a 40's vise, but it's hard for my old eyes to make out the writing on the side of the body to help you and some of the Wilton experts were alive and maybe making these to help you more.

 

[bluebolt]

are you able to use www.Photobucket.com which is a free site you can use after you sign up to store pictures? or another online picture site? if you can take some close ups of both sides of the main body of your Wilton and post them i'm sure some of the Wilton experts might have a better idea of the year it was made. it looks pretty clean now so sounds like there is no date stamped on the bottom of the slide.

it does have the older jaw style so it might be a 40's vise, but it's hard for my old eyes to make out the writing on the side of the body to help you and some of the Wilton experts were alive and maybe making these to help you more.

His other photos show Patent Pending so it is very early.

 

[SGT G]

Some better pictures of my Wilton #4.

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[autopts]

I purchased a Wilton #4 and took it apart to restore it. I found that the main nut inside the vise is stamped 740. Does that mean the date for the vise is July 1940?
Thanks,
Martin

Martin,
Most of the PAT PENDING Wilton's went out without a date. There have been times when the year was stamped right under the Dynamic jaw. Not often. To my knowledge numbers on the nut assy don't mean anything. I am found wrong about 20 times a day though.

 

[SGT G]

Thanks for the info. I'm just glad to have it. Took a long time to find one in my price range.

 

[drivesitfar]

Nice work all of you. Pictures and information made the old US made Wilton vise talk.

 

[Silverhair]

I have a Wilton 9-500 with 5" jaws that open 9". Unit is 19" long with jaws closed. Weighs about 70 lbs (estimate). Marked "Chicago 14" on sides. Date on dynamic jaw seems worn off. Just starting to brush it to give a coat of rustoleum. We saved this from the scrap heap for about $12. Swivel base not in this picture - one of the mounting ears is broken off. I'd like to get it repaired if practical, or I just mighy buy a new one.

 

[johnwayne200]

my dad has found a Wilton Vise with C-1 stamped on it i can not find any other numbers, here are some pics. I would like to know more about it if any1 has some info

 

[pfbz]

my dad has found a Wilton Vise with C-1 stamped on it i can not find any other numbers, here are some pics. I would like to know more about it if any1 has some info

Well, it's a Wilton C1... Great vise, definitely worth putting a little TLC into. And it's still made today.

The fact that it's stamped 'Chicago' instead of 'Schiller Park' means it's a pretty old one, maybe 1957 or older? Others are more knowledgeable about exactly when they changed the stamping over. If you pull out the movable jaw, there usually is a warranty date stamped on the bottom. It actually looks like it is in great condition for its age and still has the pipe jaws (which are removable and often gone) and the end cap.

The 'C' stands for 'combination', as it has pipe and conventional jaws.

This thread will give you tons more Wilton info...

 

[YODASLO]

I believe I read on another forum that:
The 950 vises turned into the 9 500 line (9" opening, 5" jaw width).
So it would make sense to me given the age that:
The 740 vises turned into the 7 400 line (7" opening, 4" jaw width).
Making the 740 a model number, not a part number?

 

[Mike W.]

Bought this vise the other day. I don't know that much about old vises but I believe it to be one of the bullets you are looking for info on.The model number seems to be 101161 (see pic). The number on the long key in the slide is 279 (see pics). It's also marked 'Schiller Park" with what looks like an area code. Forgot to add jaw width is 3.5". I can get an overall length if needed.


Does the 279 mean it was made in Feb. 1979?

thanks in advance,
Mike

 

[G-ManBart]

I know there hasn't been much activity on this thread in a while, but figured I could add a little bit to it. Just picked up my first Wilton bullet yesterday. It's a model 600 and the bottom of the slide is marked 3-90. Overall, it's in excellent condition, with only very light use marks. The one thing that I did find is that it was mounted on a piece of aluminum diamond plate and that caused some galvanic corrosion on the edge of the base...nothing terrible, but still unfortunate. Here are a couple of pics....the restoration has started!

 

[G-ManBart]

Does anybody know if an electrolysis bath will damage the Wilton tag on the dynamic jaw?

 

[Shiftless]

Congrats on making the right decision on buying the big guy.
Several of us over on the main vise thread encouraged you to pick it up. You got a good deal on it to be sure! Yours looks to be in excellent condition.
I would guess that the bath would damage the stick on label, but if I recall, one of the members reproduces those labels. Now that I think about it, I need one myself for my 500N.

 

[CanadaMan81]

Hi guys, I just came across this vise and picked it up, after some searching I was brought to your forum here, anyways any help identifying the age and value of an item like this would be great! Any info or backroad at all on this vise would be great. I actually know where this came from and was used by the US Navy! I see new buses like this are like $1600 new so wonder how much they these big boys are worth, weighs a freaking tonne!, my 2004 Malibu def felt it in the trunk hahaha.

 

[G-ManBart]

Hi guys, I just came across this vise and picked it up, after some searching I was brought to your forum here, anyways any help identifying the age and value of an item like this would be great! Any info or backroad at all on this vise would be great. I actually know where this came from and was used by the US Navy! I see new buses like this are like $1600 new so wonder how much they these big boys are worth, weighs a freaking tonne!, my 2004 Malibu def felt it in the trunk hahaha.

 

[GlugGlug]

Anoyne know the year that Wilton started putting the sticker on the right side of the machinist series' dynamic jaw? I've looked over the Wilton history thread but couldn't find a summary showing the visual cues vs. date. Thanks.

Edit: I see there are variations of that sticker. Apparently in later models the dynamic jaw casting had a recess around the area of the sticker. I'm curious when that recess was added to the casting.

 

[Suspiciousmind]

Is this a Wilton? Is it worth driving 100 miles to pick it up for 25 bucks??

 

[Shiftless]

No and No
I have one of those in much better condition. The lever on the side controls a system which when new, allowed a rubber pad on the bottom to curve upward to form a big suction cup securing the vise to a smooth table top. Like all rubber suction cups, they get old and fail to hold.
The vise itself is not built to any high degree of precision.
If you are looking for a baby bullet vise from Wilton, the one you picture is far from it.

Here is my 2 inch baby bullet.

 

[cajunfirehawk]

Is there suppose to be a pin in the center of this base either in the base or the bottom of the vise? if so anyone have an extra to sell?

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Is there suppose to be a pin in the center of this base either in the base or the bottom of the vise? if so anyone have an extra to sell?

There is, pretty easy to make one just get a piece of round stock the right diameter and cut it to size

 

[Brantam1]

Hello, I just pick up this Wilton vise at a garage sale. Was wondering if anyone can tell me its history and value of it? Thanks!

Right Side:
1845
Wilton Chicago USA

Left Side:
C1
WE
N1945
Wilton Chicago USA
Strange emblem on front jaw (see pic)

Bottom:
135
No. 4

 

[exmaxima1]

Hello, I just pick up this Wilton vise at a garage sale. Was wondering if anyone can tell me its history and value of it? Thanks!

Right Side:
1845
Wilton Chicago USA

Left Side:
C1
WE
N1945
Wilton Chicago USA
Strange emblem on front jaw (see pic)

Bottom:
135
No. 4

If nothing is cracked or bent, probably worth around $250-300. If you replace the jaws, maybe as much as $400 to the right buyer.

 

[bluebolt]

Brantam1, that's an early one, pre 1957 being made in Chicago. Check for a date on the slide key. You will probably have to unscrew the vise all the way to see it.

 

[snooozie]

Hi,

I just got a C1 just like yours with the same markings. I did not see any date or markings on the slide key. Does your C1 has any date on the slide key? Just trying to figure out how old the vise is.

 

[skymasteres]

Well, I know I'm once again resurrecting a necrothread, but I have myself have an old what appears to be a C3 vice. But I have no idea how old it is due to it not having a stamp on the guide.

The thing is in rough shape, but it spins freely and moves okay. Will move a lot better when it's cleaned up I'm sure.


The handle is totally buggered and has the numbers 900012 stamped in the lead screw boss.

The Jaws are 6" across and two of the baseplate ears are snapped off.



One thing that's different is, rather than the one piece locking ring for the base plate. This one has two individual pieces, one for each bolt to lock it down. I'm sure the bolts and nuts are not original.

 

[ksuav8r]

I’ll add mine. All cleaned up for $75. I’ll blast and powder coat someday the original light industrial green. Date code 3-53. I would have kept the original jaws but they were remakes and didn’t sit flush.

 

[c_mac723]

Most of my Wilton info vanished when my drive crashed along with 100's of Wilton photos. Somehow, along the way, I should have something t

Most of my Wilton info vanished when my drive crashed along with 100's of Wilton photos. Somehow, along the way, I should have something to add to it.

I have a 3-inch Wilton vise 12-45 with 3 bolt swivel base most i see have 4 bolt do i have correct base