Wilton C-Clamp

[TagMan]

I have 30 or 40 clamps that I've picked up over the years, but this one I bought yesterday at a flea market, was the first Wilton one I've ever seen. I don't "collect" c-clamps, but I pick them up when available for use in my shop. Thinking about it, however, I guess I DO collect them !

The clamp is pictured below and I was wondering when it might have been made, if anyone would hazzard a guess. The model nuber is 208 (on the reverse side).

I am also wondering why the clamp screw was made 2" short of the solid stop? Out of all the clamps I have, only one other is like that and both appear to have been made that way originaly from the factory.

Thanks for any insights you could offer.
-Bob

Wilton C Clamp1 by TagMan, on Flickr

Wilton C Clamp2 by TagMan, on Flickr

 

[XJSuperman]

I've got a few Wiltons, nothing particularly special about them other than they are solid and work good. I don't have any quite like yours though. I've seen clamps that stop short like that, but don't know the reason, so I am interested in learning what others have to say on that.

 

[Fierljeppen]

The Wilton "200 Series" C-clamps are kind of rare, since they were only offered from (1960-1966). They were an economy C-clamp, not meant for heavy-duty clamping.

As far as not being a full spindle, that was pretty standard for Wilton's C-clamps over 6". The thought was that you would have something between the jaws greater than 2" and the shorter spindle would give you more working room in tight spots. Full spindles were offered for a premium though, on Wilton's standard and heavy-duty C-clamps.

 

[Bryan Burns]

FWIW, here's a heavy duty Wilton clamp. It too has a screw that stops short of the fixed jaw.

 

[ChuHeff]

Hello, My first post here, so I hope I do this correctly. There should be a photo off a Wilton Model 110 C-Clamp attached. It has a clamping capacity of 10 Max, but because of the threaded screw , a 5" minimum. This has already likely been discussed but I have always assumed short screw was intended to lessen the risk of bending the screw. In the case of this clamp, being a heavy-duty affair, I suspect Wilton felt that the 5" minus would work for all, or nearly all tasks, with a spacer used if not

 

[DD T/A]

I've learned a valuable lesson in my short life: get to know the difference between cast C-clamps and Forged C-clamps and make sure you never work with Cast C-clamps again if possible.

One of the first Forged C-clamps I ended up finding was a Wilton like what Bryan posted.

 

[steaks&anvils]

There is a pretty good sized thread about clamps. If you want more information, maybe there is some in there?

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=293054

 

[TagMan]

Wow! You guys are a wealth of information. Thank you to everyone who responded. Excellent information.
-Bob