Wilton vise help

[Andy42]

New guy from NC
I'm new here and am looking for some knowledge on Wilton vises. Was looking for a small vise and bought one of eBay. It said it was made in USA, but when I got it it doesn't say that on it anywhere. It does have 121068 on the body &121069 on the base. Did I get duped? I should also add that it is a 3.5 inch vise. Thanks in advance

 

[67carl]

Might help to post a picture. There are very knowledgeable Wilton folks on here; if you don't get a response on this thread try reaching out to one of the guys on this thread.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=93250

 

[drivesitfar]

Andy: welcome to GJ forum and yes posting up a few pictures would help cause even though i've got about 4000 posts on the huge vise thread i still don't know all of Wilton's parts #'s.

ok here's what you need to know. WILTON DOES HAVE AN ECONOMY LINE THAT IS MADE IN CHINA.

Wilton quality is sort of like this:

1) Bullet C series I think is their top
2) Bullets are close and yes made in USA'
3) tradesmans are a good vise, but some were made in China
4) economy MADE IN USA vises that they started making these in China maybe in the 80's
5) since Wilton has been in business since 1941 they have had many companies make vises for them and they've made vises for other big companies like Snap On, John Deere...

more than likely yours is an older Wilton made in USA and with those parts #'s I'm guessing it's a made in USA bullet vise, but I can't say for certain. can you screw out the dynamic slide all the way (don't let it fall on the ground) and then turn it over and wipe off the keyway to see a date stamp? post pictures on this thread I started a few years ago as a start and maybe one of the wilton guys or i'll see pics of yours and give you more information.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=269079&highlight=wilton+date+stamp

 

[Andy42]

I wish it was a bullet vise.

 

[drivesitfar]

Can you post a pic? Maybe a tradesman? Does it have small pipe jaws?

 

[Andy42]

I'm trying to get a picture up but it won't post for some reason. The jaws on the vise are 3¹/² ". The screw on the vise is visible right below the jaws.

 

[exmaxima1]

I'm trying to get a picture up but it won't post for some reason. The jaws on the vise are 3¹/² ". The screw on the vise is visible right below the jaws.

I posted a pic of the vise on your duplicate thread, but I'll add it here as well.

 

[Andy42]

That's it. Thanks for the help.

 

[sawbuck]

looks chineseium to me

 

[sawbuck]

it looks like its a counterfeit

 

[sawbuck]

looks communist too

 

[drivesitfar]

Andy: I'm not sure how Ex saw your wilton vise to post up a picture, but yes that is one of the cheaper ones. not sure if made in USA or China, but it's a light duty vise at best with the open screw design (bullets have the slide covering the main screw to help keep dirt and debris off the threads).

so not very valuable, but I can honestly say that there are many handy guys I know that have one of those on one of their benches or carts or on the back of their tractor.

if you are wanting to spend good money on a vise my thoughts would be to get a pre 1960's Reed, Rock Island, Athol or Starrett (same owner), or several others.

good luck and again welcome to our forum

 

[Andy42]

That's not a picture of my vise, just one like it. I realize it is one of the cheaper vises but the guy I bought it from had it advertised as made in USA and I'm not sure that is the case. I'll definitely be getting me a bigger vise in the near future and will keep your recommendation s in mind. Thanks for all the info.

 

[drivesitfar]

Andy: while your first vise purchase wasn't a once in a lifetime find like some seem to have i know you learned more by buying it. AND you came to GJ's forum and found us so when you find another you'll have more information and help if you need it.

good luck!!

hope you find a few other threads to follow and i'd recommend going into garage gallery and finding a few members in there that have great attitudes and are very helpful.

cheers!!