Wilton model 920 2" Vise with Powerarm Junior

[R S]

I bought this Wilton 2" miniature vise some years ago at a tool swap meet before they were collectible. Regretably, I removed the original paint and sprayed it copper just because I thought it looked cool. It didn't show any use so I didn't have to refinish the jaws or the moving parts.

It is equipped with a Powerarm Junior, but unlike any I've seen on the internet. It has a Bakelite(?) knob on a round lever, rather than a flat one.

There is no date stamped on the slider guide so I'm wondering if someone has an idea of its year or era of manufacture?

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I believe the bakelite to be early but how early not sure. Very nice!

 

[tool_scrounge]

The few I owned had Bakelite knobs

 

[Fierljeppen]

It's the earliest version of the Wilton Powrarm no. 343, which came out in 1950. That style handle was in the 1950-1954 Wilton catalogs, while the flat handle was featured in the 1956 Wilton catalog. I don't have any information from the 1955 Wilton catalog no. 111.



The vise main screw spindle isn't pinned, so that would indicate your Wilton "baby" vise is early as well. It wouldn't surprise me if they were the same age.



It's a very nice looking vise and powrarm, trending for ($900-$1200+) these days. Yikes!

 

[Jr5]

Beautiful collectible. I had no idea the earlier powRArms had the round (vs flat) clamping arm. I thought it was the other way around. Love those baby bullets in ANY color!

 

[Roberts210]

Very nice find. Congratulations! I bought my 4.5" Wilton machinist vise before they became collectable too--paid $85 for it in the early 1990s. As late as 2006 I saw it's twin for sale for $25 in a shop, but stupidly I passed on it. Even today some don't realize how popular these vises are. The best I ever did was in 2020 I found a 3" Wilton machinist vise at the recycling yard for $10. They're still out there, waiting to be found.

 

[PWRstroke_smoke]

Nice find. I like the color as well.

 

[hitechneanderthol]

Your vise has several features that point it toward late '40's/early '50's. Wilton date sta~ped most vises, but some would slip through... Wilton didn't have stellar QC. If I were to guess I would put it in the early '50's ('52.).
Repainting it REALLY dropped its value.