Wilton C1 Clean Up

[JradM]

I found a Wilton vise yesterday. It was on marketplace with a fuzzy picture of it lying on its side on the floor of a car. Just "heavy duty vise" for a description. $120 OBO

I scampered over there after work and, sure enough, it was a dirty C1. I offered a $100 and he said "sure" - so here we are (I'd definitely have paid $120, but the ad said "OBO"... ).



It actually seems to be in much better shape than I thought. Some surface rust for sure - but it's not pitted. What sort of looks like brazing in the first photo was just some paint-like substance that came off with brake cleaner. The swivel lock pins were a little bent, but the main handle isn't.



The only damage I've found, beyond some hammer nicks on the anvil part and some bumps and scrapes, is that something weird is going on with the mounting holes in the swivel base.




Did someone cut off the bolts with a plasma torch? Not sure how this would happen.

I'm thinking of drilling them out until round again, then welding in a piece of round rod - unless anyone has a better idea?



It also needs paint. I'm open to suggestions.

Hammerite is pretty hard to find in Canada. Black is available on Amazon - that somewhat appeals to me. Just seems like it means business. Or I can find dark brown...

Also, I bought some asphaltum awhile back to try some Jappaning - that seems like a neat option.

Last thing I'm wondering - how do you remove the pipe jaws. There's no pins on the side or a screw in them. It feels like they're held in by a spring - can I just pull them out? I want them to go back in after.



I certainly expected more work, but everything has come apart pretty easily so far.



Even these jaws are in good shape. Just a couple minor marks.





Do these numbers mean anything? Is this when it was made?

 

[paulsomlo]

I scampered over there after work and, sure enough, it was a dirty C1. I offered a $100 and he said "sure" - so here we are (I'd definitely have paid $120, but the ad said "OBO"... ).

I'm thinking of drilling them out until round again, then welding in a piece of round rod - unless anyone has a better idea.

Use carriage bolts or hex head with washers - you'll never see the out of round mounting holes.

 

[Fierljeppen]

The "C-Series" are Wilton's best vises, in my opinion. A little taller jaw towers and really good pipe jaws. I have a much older Wilton C2 vise that has been a serious user for many years now with absolutely no complaints. It's not pretty, but like most of my tools, it's always clean and lubed.

The last four numbers on the screw spindle is one of two date codes on the vise, the other date code should be found on the slide of the moveable jaw. They may not be exactly the same.

"07 06" July, 2006.



You should be able to pry the pipe jaws out with flat screwdriver or small prybar. I'm pretty sure you can still buy new ones for that vise.



Here's a 2004 catalog scan with specs and details for your vise. Nice find!

 

[JradM]

Thanks! Getting a visual on the spring clips definitely clears up what I was feeling.

I couldn't help a little filing and sanding to clean up the casting seam. It really didn't take much though.

Lots of little divots in the handle. I don't think much can be done without spinning it in a lathe though... the shiny/dull contrast is just after some scotchbrite wheel.

 

[Shiftless]

Thanks! Getting a visual on the spring clips definitely clears up what I was feeling.

I couldn't help a little filing and sanding to clean up the casting seam. It really didn't take much though.

Lots of little divots in the handle. I don't think much can be done without spinning it in a lathe though... the shiny/dull contrast is just after some scotchbrite wheel.

(Reviving an old thread)
Have you finished up that C1 yet? What color did you paint it?
You got a great deal at just $100

 

[JradM]

(Reviving an old thread)
Have you finished up that C1 yet? What color did you paint it?
You got a great deal at just $100

Embarrassingly, no. It's completely disassembled and in pieces in a large bin.

I've gone a lot farther in the metalwork than the photos I posted here, but it remains unpainted. Good reminder to get my act together!

I bought some black Hammerite paint for it. I think is what I will use unless someone talks me out of it. I thought maybe a "hammered" black paint like that with some gold lettering might look pretty good. If I like it, maybe I'll "refresh" my 3t arbor press to match it for a more coordinated look.

 

[Shiftless]

Here is my C1 in Hammerite light blue.
I bought it in rough condition without any swivel lock handles. After painting, I just added some stainless steel acorn nuts.

 

[ricleh]

Here's one I restored a few years ago.

 

[76 Caprice]

Are those baby bullets painted silver or polished?

 

[ricleh]

The baby bullet, the toddler bullet, the York and the C1 are all just cleaned up and ready for paint.