Wilton C1 Bullet Vise

[Clasik]

Got my hands on my first vise. Was found in the basement of my grandfather's rental and no one knows where it came from.
There are A LOT of threads on GJ about these vises but it's all so new to me it's hard to digest.
Any help on History, Model, Price (buyer/seller), etc. would be greatly appreciated!
I am very excited on the newest addition to the garage.

 

[Roberts210]

That is a great vise that will serve you the rest of your life, and if taken care of, serve the generations to come. I have the same vise--4.5 inch wide jaws. Your's was born in 1954, and it still has the pipe jaws! That's a plus, and the swivel base looks good too. Are you going to paint it, or? Congratulations on getting such a valuable vise, and FOR FREE!!!! Can't beat that.

 

[Clasik]

I'd like to paint it. I'll enjoy the restoration more than I should haha. And yeah! All 4 jaws are in amazing condition. No filing marks or big dings/chunks missing!

 

[Roberts210]

I bought mine around 1990, but didn't realize how special the Wilton machinist vises were. For the first 20 years I owned it I was a little careless--you can see some hack saw marks on the stationary insert, and some hammer dings on the dynamic casting. But once I found out how peerless these vises are, I've been very careful with it, and have NEVER used a cheater on the handle.

 

[3baygarage]

Congrats. Nice vise.

 

[dirtwrangler]

That's a great score. Nicely done.

 

[Clasik]

Any tips on how to safely unbend or at least minimally damage this rod? Decided today was the day to start on cleanup of the Vise and this is the first snag.
I'm thinking along the lines of a deep socket and torch but I'd like to get some feedback!

 

[Bosscar65]

Nice Wilton. I found one in the wild a few months ago. I painted it , and now I’m afraid of scratching it.
Kidding.

 

[Bosscar65]

Any tips on how to safely unbend or at least minimally damage this rod? Decided today was the day to start on cleanup of the Vise and this is the first snag.
I'm thinking along the lines of a deep socket and torch but I'd like to get some feedback!

 

[Bosscar65]

I’ve had luck with the anvil of my other vise and gently hammering it straight, it’s pretty easy especially on the swivel lock.

 

[Clasik]

I’ve had luck with the anvil of my other vise and gently hammering it straight, it’s pretty easy especially on the swivel lock.

Just got that idea too. Worked perfectly after the first few hits. Then I just turned it over and grabbed the bolt as well as I could and screwed it off from there.

 

[Clasik]

Swivel base bottoms

 

[Bosscar65]

Beware the Wilton I found and painted / greased has been a gateway vise drug. Great vise you have.

 

[Clasik]

Nice Wilton. I found one in the wild a few months ago. I painted it , and now I’m afraid of scratching it.
Kidding.

Woah! Nice paint job and Vise. "Wilton Tool Corp", isn't that one of the older vises?

 

[Bosscar65]

Woah! Nice paint job and Vise. "Wilton Tool Corp", isn't that one of the older vises?

Yes no date on the key. 1940 ish.

 

[Roberts210]

Wow Bosscar... GREAT paint job. I'd be afraid of using it too.

 

[thehorse13]

If there ever was a time for a, 'you ****', it is now. A free C1 is something that most only dream about.

 

[Clasik]

If there ever was a time for a, 'you ****', it is now. A free C1 is something that most only dream about.

When we moved last week, there was ANOTHER C1 in the garage that came with the house. I'm on cloud 9 right now. What are these things going for? I don't think I'll need to buy another vise ever at this point.

 

[Roberts210]

How much are they going for? Check ebay.
But how do we designate you? Suck2? DeuceSuck?

 

[thehorse13]

When we moved last week, there was ANOTHER C1 in the garage that came with the house. I'm on cloud 9 right now. What are these things going for? I don't think I'll need to buy another vise ever at this point.

The accepted Ebay retail price range is between $500-$700 for a C1 in nice shape. Keep in mind that with tax and shipping, you're in much deeper than the purchase price. As for needing a vise ever again? Nope. The vises you have will last several life times. Yes, you **** x2.

 

[11b30b4]

Clasik, that is a real nice find, two Wilton C1 vises. I do like a raw vice but if you decide to repaint I really like the Rust-oleum Verde Green, I do not believe they sell the paint anymore but you can find it online from time to time. 1 can should be enough for your needs.

 

[Clasik]

Clasik, that is a real nice find, two Wilton C1 vises. I do like a raw vice but if you decide to repaint I really like the Rust-oleum Verde Green, I do not believe they sell the paint anymore but you can find it online from time to time. 1 can should be enough for your needs.

Is the Verde green the color you have in the photo? I adore the paint job on that vise!

 

[Clasik]

After taking a look at the one in the new houses garage, it seems everything is there, no missing parts.
Only issue is crackly paint, which I'm taking no chances on and deeming it as Lead.
Also, no date on the under bar, but it is indeed another C1 with 4 1/2" jaws.

 

[Clasik]

Update:
Completely got the original C1 down to bare metal before dark.
Going to be looking at all individual smaller parts tomorrow and begin on them.
As soon as I can find out what color I would like to go with, I will be able to start paint prep.
Might have to wait a long time though if the only place the paint is is Menards though..

 

[11b30b4]

Yes that color is the Verde green hammered finish.
RUST-OLEUM

12-Ounce Verde Green Hammered Spray Paint​

Mfg.#7219830 Sku#6738942

 

[Clasik]

All these cleaned up really well.
Still have the Swivel base to get down to bare metal and it'll all be ready.
The paint hunt continues also.

 

[Clasik]

Would it be a bad thing to Blue any of the rods?
Both for looks and the corrosion durability aspect.
Let me know what you guys think

 

[Clasik]

All is ready and prepped for paint if and when I can find some Hammered Verde Green.
Unless I get impatient and decide on my 2nd favorite " Rustoleum Hammered Silver".
I'd like to have an eye catching color though, so I think I'll wait.

 

[Shiftless]

You found a great vise. I have quite a few vises around here and chose the Wilton C1 as my daily driver. I used it tonight to secure a vise handle from an old Craftsman vise while I removed rust.
Here is a pic from when it was newly painted (Verde Green). It’s not nearly this pretty now.

 

[Clasik]

Thanks! This will be my first "Restoration" on something this large. I'm used to bringing rusted/shot adjustable wrenches back to life.
This whole thing has been really relaxing, but mainly because there were no missing parts
The other C1 in the garage has lead paint and I don't know how to tackle lead safely, so I'm leaving that alone for a while.