Wilton Cadet 8135

[Redfishtony]

I'm new to this site but found lots of interesting information on here over the past few nights. Nice site. I recently picked up an old (2/23/1962) Wilton Cadet. It's in great condition and for $60 bucks I think I got a good deal. My question is it appears to have been orange. Was this the original color? I have already blasted and repainted it Miller Blue but I think I might do it again if the Orange was original. Any thoughts...

 

[RStewart]

Welcome. I don't know what the original color of your vise would have been but I know a lot of past responses would lean towards " your vise, your choice".

 

[Shiftless]

See if you like sage green...
Many restorers use Rustoleum Verde Green Hammered finish. Hard to find but many agree it is the closest to the early Wilton color.
But I agree with "your vise, your color". Maybe your favorite sports team or school colors? Match your toolbox? How about Snap On Extreme green?

 

[KMScott]

I agree with Shift. I added a catalog page that mentions the orange color. A GJ member balane painted his grey and it looks nice, I painted mine Rustoleum orange that the local hardware store had in stock. Let us know how it turns out.

 

[Shiftless]

I have a Wilton 500N in machinery gray. Looks good in that color. Sorry, I can't get to it for a pic. I am out of town.

Just don't paint the anvil surface, the jaw inserts, or the front nose and handle. Those should be bare metal and protected with boiled linseed oil or something similiar.

 

[Redfishtony]

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll just leave it Miller Blue. It came out really nice. Very interesting in the catalog page it says the end of the three year warranty was the date stamped on the vise not the production date. This means mine was made on 2/23/59, nice. TW

 

[KMScott]

Please post a picture. Select Manage Attachments under your note in Additional Options. Or select the paper clip. Pretty easy.

 

[Redfishtony]

Here's a couple of pics of the cadet. Still not sure if I like the Miller Blue.