Wilton C-Series vs Trademan

[climb.on]

What's the difference between the Wilton C-Series vises (C-0, C-1, C-2, C-3) vs Trademan Series vises?

I've been on a quest for a nice vintage C-1 or C-2 and in my search I came across and picked up this 1990 6" Snap-On Vise (which is a Tradesman 1760). Doesn't seem quite as beefy as the C-series, but still a nice heavy unit.

I have yet to put my hands on a C-series...so...What is different about them?

 

[bobcatdan]

A C series is a true combination pipe vise based off the standard bullet vise design. A tradesman is a more general purpose vise based of the bullet vise with small pipe jaws where as a normal bullet does not have pipe jaws. Big thing I don't like about the tradesman is the open less then a comparable machinist bullet. A 6" jaw tradesman opens 6". A 6" C3 opens 9". A 6" bullet opens 10". For a general purpose vise, a trades man is fine, still a good heavy duty vise. A C series is a heavier, much beefier vise.

 

[bobcatdan]

I don't have a C series handy, but here is a comparison of a 6" tradesman vs a 6" bullet. A C series is like the the bullet. It's not the best side by side, but if you judge of the can, I think you can get an idea. Also tradesman where made here, then imported for a while and then made here again. I'm not saying don't get the tradesman, just its not really comparable to a C series of same jaw size.

 

[oldldh]

A 1755 vs a 500...

The "C's" are much bigger and heavier...

And a whole lot more expensive!!!

 

[drivesitfar]

Climb.on: just for an example the 6 inch Wilton C3 weighs about 202 pounds and i think your nice 6 inch Wilton tradesman made for Snap on weighs about 70 pounds. the C1 weighs about 60 pounds if i remember correctly and it has 4.5 inch jaws. the C series vises made by Wilton are their best quality vises in my opinion.

their only flaw that i know of is their swivels on the C3's need a design improvement if they haven't already because a lot of them broke.

 

[climb.on]

Thanks guys. That exactly what I was looking for. I certainly don't "need" a C, but...well you know...

 

[dkroth]

Oh no. You definitely need need a C. In fact, you probably need more than one!