Wilton Snap-On Vises

[Roberts210]

Anyone know the history of the Wilton Snap-On vises? When did Wilton start producing vices for S.O? Which vises were badged as Snap On's? My understanding is the 1750's were definitely badged as S.O's. Any others? Time line? Anyone know?

 

[G-ManBart]

I don't know much of the history, but I recently bought an all original 1740 that still had factory red SO paint and badges on it. Cajunfirehawk has it now so maybe he can get the date stamp off it. I looked at the date code, but didn't take a picture of it. I want to say it was early-mid 1990s. Since then all of the normal Wilton Tradesman line has been available as an SO....1740, 1750, 1760, 1745, 1755, 1765 and 1780.

 

[Roberts210]

Thanks G-Man. The date code is 10 - 84.

 

[RobRace10]

I know the Wilton SO vises go back to the early 80's, maybe farther back.
they had the 1740,1750 and 1760 for sure, then some time I would say late 80's switched to the 1745, 1755, 1765 and then the 1780

I was the one that suggested the model changes adding the .5 inch to each jaw. I also know the reason why they change, but would rather not say, wasn't any type of safety issue etc.

I'm also the one who came up with the hardened thrust washers that are behind the spindle that acts like a bearing on all the Wilton round channels since sometime in late 80's.

 

[Cope]

I know the Wilton SO vises go back to the early 80's, maybe farther back.
they had the 1740,1750 and 1760 for sure, then some time I would say late 80's switched to the 1745, 1755, 1765 and then the 1780

I was the one that suggested the model changes adding the .5 inch to each jaw. I also know the reason why they change, but would rather not say, wasn't any type of safety issue etc.

I'm also the one who came up with the hardened thrust washers that are behind the spindle that acts like a bearing on all the Wilton round channels since sometime in late 80's.

Hooked up with a Snap-on dealer in 1980 and he had one then. The dealer I had from 1965-1968 didn't have a vise IIRC.

 

[G-ManBart]

I know the Wilton SO vises go back to the early 80's, maybe farther back.
they had the 1740,1750 and 1760 for sure, then some time I would say late 80's switched to the 1745, 1755, 1765 and then the 1780

I was the one that suggested the model changes adding the .5 inch to each jaw. I also know the reason why they change, but would rather not say, wasn't any type of safety issue etc.

I'm also the one who came up with the hardened thrust washers that are behind the spindle that acts like a bearing on all the Wilton round channels since sometime in late 80's.

I have had a 1740, two 1750s, four 1760s and one 1780, so I've got a reasonable handle on the dates they were made.

The two 1750s I picked up this week were both made in 1995, one of the 1760s was marked 1995, another was marked 1996....can't find the pictures of the others, but I think that's enough to show the change to the 1/2" increment was a decade later.

I've taken apart dozens of Wilton round channel vises, some NIB, that were made after the 1980s and not one has had a hardened thrust washer. One of the 1760s was marked 1995 and that was NIB....no thrust washer behind the spindle when I took it out to grease it.

 

[RobRace10]

I have had a 1740, two 1750s, four 1760s and one 1780, so I've got a reasonable handle on the dates they were made.

The two 1750s I picked up this week were both made in 1995, one of the 1760s was marked 1995, another was marked 1996....can't find the pictures of the others, but I think that's enough to show the change to the 1/2" increment was a decade later.

I've taken apart dozens of Wilton round channel vises, some NIB, that were made after the 1980s and not one has had a hardened thrust washer. One of the 1760s was marked 1995 and that was NIB....no thrust washer behind the spindle when I took it out to grease it.

The thrust washer was put in with a little grease, the reason it was added is the spindle would eventually machine the castings away from the friction and lack of lubrication. This was added after the vises jaws were expended to make the 1745,1755 and 1765, so the earlier version didn't have it. I was part of the product committee making these changes.


The thrust washer with a little grease acted like a slip plate and dramatically reduced the casting wear. I had looked at actual thrust bearings, but the added depth required on the casting and added cost made the thrust washer a much better option.

Wouldn't be surprised that they no longer know why it was added and have eliminated it to save a few pennies.

 

[sonoronos]

the spindle washers seem to come in the parts kits for post 1998 machinist and combo vises. not sure about tradesmans.

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

 

[Roberts210]

.........Wouldn't be surprised that they no longer know why it was added and have eliminated it to save a few pennies.

This is the world we live in today. So many have forgotten the hard-earned lessons of the past.

 

[Hookburn63]

Just finished my 6 1/2” Tradesman, what a beast.

 

[Roberts210]

Gorgeous job on that baby!!

 

[Couch Potato]

The thrust washer was put in with a little grease, the reason it was added is the spindle would eventually machine the castings away from the friction and lack of lubrication. This was added after the vises jaws were expended to make the 1745,1755 and 1765, so the earlier version didn't have it. I was part of the product committee making these changes.


The thrust washer with a little grease acted like a slip plate and dramatically reduced the casting wear. I had looked at actual thrust bearings, but the added depth required on the casting and added cost made the thrust washer a much better option.

Wouldn't be surprised that they no longer know why it was added and have eliminated it to save a few pennies.

Hey i know it's been 7 years since you wrote this and I'm not sure if you are still active on here but I had a few questions about the Wilton 1780 tradesman vise if you wouldn't mind answering?