Wilton - cracked swivel base

[chargedmr2]

I picked up this Wilton 1765 a couple days ago. It was pretty greasy, and after a good cleaning, I could see that the swivel base had been welded to repair a crack.

What do you think…just leave it, or should I look for a replacement? Looks like a new one is about $140 which seems expensive for what it is. Anyone have recommendations for a good source of replacement parts? I’ll probably just put it to use if I can’t find a reasonably priced replacement.

I thought I got a fair deal on the vise, but probably would have passed on it if I saw the repaired crack.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

Can't see it from my house. That looks like a above satisfactory repair. I would bolt it down and use until you come across another base.

 

[chargedmr2]

I think I’ll do just that. I might give it a good disassembly, maybe new paint, and fresh grease.

Also, didn’t mean to post this in the Vintage forum. This one only dates back to 2004.

 

[Roberts210]

Looks good to my eye. I'd use it as is and never look back. Swivel bases are over rated IMO. I've used a 4.5" Wilton Machinist vise for 35 years with a swivel base and I've never once swiveled it.

 

[genog]

My vote goes for: Use it!
Looks like a good repair
Bolt the Bad Boy onto your bench
Make sure it's down good and snug and it should be good to go.
If the repair cracks, then it's time for a new base.

So...unless it's going on display in your living room, I'd use the darn thing

 

[isb cornbinder]

If the repair cracks, fix it again. If that repair cracks, you are using beyond the strength of the original design. I have a vise that has been around for nearly a century. A little TLC is a good thing.
Rather tan applying grease, I use graphite. dry lube.

 

[chargedmr2]

My vote goes for: Use it!
Looks like a good repair
Bolt the Bad Boy onto your bench
Make sure it's down good and snug and it should be good to go.
If the repair cracks, then it's time for a new base.

So...unless it's going on display in your living room, I'd use the darn thing

I love my tools, but they definitely get used!

It doesn’t seem like this vise was meant to be used without the swivel base, otherwise I’d ditch it. I really don’t need that function, outside of rare situations.

 

[The Cobbler]

It doesn’t seem like this vise was meant to be used without the swivel base, otherwise I’d ditch it.

why can't you remove the base and use the 2 holes in the vice to mount it?

 

[chargedmr2]

You’re right, I could do that. Maybe not ideal, though, since the bottom of vise is designed to sit down into the base. But the area the mounting holes pass through would contact the bench, so I’m sure it’s doable.

I don’t have a picture of my vise at the moment but dug up this one off google:

 

[Tunajoe]

I’d clean up that repair and then use a needle scaler to texture the repair spot to blend it in and then paint it and use it.

 

[1982fxr]

Use it. It probably got dropped or knocked off a bench or something. Seriously doubt that crack came from actual use. Don't even think that's possible.

 

[ALLFAST]

I’m with Geno. Color match it and use it.

That repair looks to be 3X the quality of the original design. The newer Wilton bases always look like a cost cutting afterthought to me, compared to the rest of the vise.

We use newer Wilton’s at work, and they are ok, but way overpriced. I was at OSH three years ago and they were asking $1200 for a 5” tradesman machinist vise!

That's why I love vintage vises-I can take my time and find 3 to 4 very cool, high quality vintage combo pipe vises for the price of one new mediocre/overpriced utility Wilton.

 

[Steve_P]

Use it- it's probably been in use for decades as-is. That looks like a decent repair, and even with a crappy repair, it's probably still stronger than your bench- unless you've got a 1/2" plate steel top.

 

[chargedmr2]

Thanks for the comments everyone. I’ll put it to use as is.

Also, totally agree about the older vintage Wilton’s being better quality. I’m keeping my eye out for an older C3 or other 6” model, but they are hard to come by in my area and prices are usually pretty insane on them when they pop up. Eventually I’ll find one.

 

[genog]

Thanks for the comments everyone. I’ll put it to use as is.
I’m keeping my eye out for an older C3 or.......Eventually I’ll find one.

Heck yes.
As my friend @ALLFAST said to me recently, get what you want
Don't settle
You'll find it

ALLFAST(Shawn) in fact, found my "keeper" vise for me this past week.
Plus! I met another Great Guy who's a member here too.

Stick around, make some friends
Good things will happen

 

[dnschmidt]

That repair looks like a braze which is the proper way to fix cast iron and very strong. Clean it up. Paint it and be done with it.

 

[chargedmr2]

That repair looks like a braze which is the proper way to fix cast iron and very strong. Clean it up. Paint it and be done with it.

Thanks for this comment, I was trying to figure out if it was brazed or not. I’ve done a little welding in the past, but it’s out of my wheelhouse, so wasn’t sure.

 

[chargedmr2]

Heck yes.
As my friend @ALLFAST said to me recently, get what you want
Don't settle
You'll find it

ALLFAST(Shawn) in fact, found my dream vise for me this past week.
Plus! I met another Great Guy who's a member here too.

Stick around, make some friends
Good things will happen

Nice! Post a picture if you want. Would love to see what you got.

 

[genog]

Oops

 

[genog]

Nice! Post a picture if you want. Would love to see what you got.

Here you go

 

[chargedmr2]

That’s a beast. I’m guessing it’s a two person job to move that one. Looks to be in great condition, too!

 

[genog]

Yeah, it's big 'un
Exactly what I've been looking for

 

[rust in the eye]

This has been for sale for a while now, not sure if its what you are after:https://chicago.craigslist.org/nwi/tls/d/valparaiso-wilton-swivel-vise-base/7732447363.html

 

[ALLFAST]

Heck yes.
As my friend @ALLFAST said to me recently, get what you want
Don't settle
You'll find it

ALLFAST(Shawn) in fact, found my "keeper" vise for me this past week.
Plus! I met another Great Guy who's a member here too.

Stick around, make some friends
Good things will happen

Thank you for the kind words Geno! It was a pleasure meeting you and getting to put a face behind the name

 

[chevy.stroker]

That is a quality, and expensive vice. Don't ditch the base. If the weld breaks then grind it out, heat the cast up, rebraze, and then cool down slowly in warm sand or wrapped in a welding blanket. Welding/brazing cast has to do with the carbon reaction in the cast. The trick is all cast is different, which makes it a challenge.

Also, when you mount it think about how you will use it mostly and stress toward the brazing instead of perpendicular to it.