Wilton Vise

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All Vise

Hello, looking for some inro on an old Wilton bullet i uncovered im the basement. Haven't taken any pics, but it's a 3 1/2 in, complete, #101020, Schiller Park casting. My question is how to determine the date. There is no date on the key, just the number 175 stamped on it. I havent found any info on line that gives me any reliable info. Based on what i've read, if no date then it was manufactured between 12941 - 1945. If thats the case iwhat's 175, a serial #? Any help would help.

tks

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The 'no date stamp' rule of thumb you're citing only applies to early vises made in Chicago. GJ member Fierljeppen, among others, has a very good handle on later Chicago vises as well as even later Schiller Park vises, which is what you have. I suggest you post in the 'Wilton Dating' thread, which you can find in the Index in the Sticky at the top of the forum. And a photo always helps.

 

[Roberts210]

If 175 is stamped on the slide, then the date is January, 1975.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Doh! I didn't read that number as being on the key! Right. Easy peasy.

 

[exmaxima1]

If 175 is stamped on the slide, then the date is January, 1975.

+1
And if it was made in Schiller Park, it had to be 1957 or later.

 

[Fierljeppen]

The casting #101020 and date stamp of 1-75 tells it all. Your Wilton Schiller Park m# 350S was advertised in Wilton catalogs up to 1971, when an improved model was 1st offered.

Your 1975 date stamp is consistent with my database implying that the date stamp on your vise is the 5-year guarantee date. The photos below should represent your vise.

 

[tooldad]

All Vise

Hello, looking for some inro on an old Wilton bullet i uncovered im the basement. Haven't taken any pics, but it's a 3 1/2 in, complete, #101020, Schiller Park casting. My question is how to determine the date. There is no date on the key, just the number 175 stamped on it. I havent found any info on line that gives me any reliable info. Based on what i've read, if no date then it was manufactured between 12941 - 1945. If thats the case iwhat's 175, a serial #? Any help would help.

tks

thanks everyone, i appreciate ur input. I guess why i thought there was no date stamp was every pic i saw of a date stamp always had a "dash" between #'s separating them. Lesson learned. Anyway took some pics so u can see the stamp. Is there anywhere that has a reliable estimate of the value of this vise?

 

[Capt. Curt]

I have the same Wilton Bullet vise here with a 1-78 date stamp.

 

[Fierljeppen]

thanks everyone, i appreciate ur input. I guess why i thought there was no date stamp was every pic i saw of a date stamp always had a "dash" between #'s separating them. Lesson learned. Anyway took some pics so u can see the stamp. Is there anywhere that has a reliable estimate of the value of this vise?

Check the "sold" listings on eBay for the maximum value, I think you'll be impressed. Local sales could be much less, depending on your location.

I have the same Wilton Bullet vise here with a 1-78 date stamp.

Your beautiful Wilton 300S (3" jaws) vise is a little smaller than tooldads 350S (3-1/2" jaws).

While most of the Wilton machinists vises changed to an improved casting in 1971, the Wilton models: 300, 600 and 800 maintained the same casting style until 1998.

 

[Capt. Curt]

Yes, it is a 3" wide jaw as you correctly pointed out.
Did Wilton make a 2.5" version do you know?
I've seen those 2" wide jaw "Baby Wilton" vises which are ALWAYS expensive and very collectible nowadays...lol

 

[Shiftless]

Yes, it is a 3" wide jaw as you correctly pointed out.
Did Wilton make a 2.5" version do you know?
I've seen those 2" wide jaw "Baby Wilton" vises which are ALWAYS expensive and very collectible nowadays...lol

YES
Wilton made a 2 1/2 inch model.
Those who refer to the smallest ones, the 2 inch models as “baby bullets” often call the 2 1/2 inch models “toddlers”

The 2 1/2 inch models are overall significantly bigger than the babies.

I see more babies for sale than toddlers. I have a couple of babies but only one toddler.

Edit: Remember that I am talking about vises here.

 

[Roberts210]

.......................Your Wilton Schiller Park m# 350S was advertised in Wilton catalogs up to 1971, when an improved model was 1st offered..........

What was the improvement? Does anyone know?

 

[Fierljeppen]

Your Wilton Schiller Park m# 350S was advertised in Wilton catalogs up to 1971, when an improved model was 1st offered.

What was the improvement?

Ask and you shall receive...well, sometimes.

 

[Roberts210]

Wow. Thanks Fierljeppen.

 

[Capt. Curt]

A VERY nice old ad there Fierljeppen...thanks much!

And I may have to start looking for a Wilton "Toddler" here soon also...lol

I found this website here with a lot on old vise maker information also:
www.vintagevises.com/vise_library.html

 

[exmaxima1]

Ask and you shall receive...well, sometimes.

I wonder what qualifies as "Ductile iron for the stressed parts"? Does that imply that only a few parts, such as the nut and the tailpiece, might be ductile iron? I'd bet that most Wilton owners believe that the vises have been fully ductile iron since their introduction.

 

[Roberts210]

In as much as Wiltons are known for being able to take a beating, I'm thinking both static and dynamic jaws are ductile iron.

 

[exmaxima1]

In as much as Wiltons are known for being able to take a beating, I'm thinking both static and dynamic jaws are ductile iron.

I think it may depend on which era of Wilton bullet vise. I've seen numerous vises with broken jaw shelves, and cracks in the tail where the nut was pinned. I think the newest models may be all ductile, but that would be post mid-90's.

 

[Fierljeppen]

"Inquiring minds want to know".

These -2- Wilton catalog scans have the most information about the vise materials that I could find. They're from 1950 and 1957 respectively.

I'm pretty sure this information would be true for the original 1941 vise model as well.

 

[David McLennan]

I am in the process of refurbishing my dad’s Wilton 8-635L bench vise and am wondering what this particular piece is used for (see attached photo to see what I am pointing To) Any insights? Thank you!

 

[Roberts210]

David, welcome to GJ, but you'll get better answers if you post your question in it's own Thread. There is also a vise repair Thread, where a lot of vise experts weigh in.

Back to the Wilton machinist vises:
54,000 pounds tensile strength. No wonder these old babies have held up over the years.

Ductile cast iron vs Malleable cast iron:
Both have a spherical or nodular microstructure, instead of the more easily broken grahite flake microstructure, found in plain old cast iron. However, as the latter ad states, Wilton Machinist vises are made of malleable cast iron. While the earlier ad says ductile alloy stress parts. I didn't know there was a difference until I researched it.

 

[steaks&anvils]

I am in the process of refurbishing my dad’s Wilton 8-635L bench vise and am wondering what this particular piece is used for (see attached photo to see what I am pointing To) Any insights? Thank you!

Welcome to GJ.

That is a little hardy cut off tool. To cut bolts/nuts etc in half. You are lucky to have that, they almost always get lost.

Mongo vise vise thread:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44782

Vise help and fixing thread:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=252830&highlight=vises+101

 

[Capt. Curt]

That is used for cutting wire and softer metals like on a regular anvil using a round Pritchel hole with a drop in pointed attachment like you have there on your vise.