WW2 Wilton Bullet Vise No 6

[Captainkrusty]

I just finished cleaning, sandblasting and painting my new vise. It does not have a date mark and from what others here have commented, this appears to be an early vise. I have a mill and lathe and could touch up the jaws and anvil but wanted to go with the used look. This is in great condition and from what the seller said, I am the second owner. I wanted to keep the gouges, scratched, and dents to remind me that it is almost 80 years old and others have enjoyed using it as I will. I don't know much about these other than what I have found online but this has a different pin holding the threaded insert. It is a solid rod through the back end that lays against a groove in the insert. Not sure if this is common on No 6 vises or something I have not seen before. Thanks for looking. Tom

 

[RoninB4]

Can't add anything to your questions regarding this particular vise but wanted to compliment you on refreshing it without making a "collector" bauble out of it. As a retired toolmaker and former employee of Wilton (Schiller Park) I can appreciate those wanting it to look nice but a full flap wheel/body filler make-over for perceived imperfections rather strikes me as Gilding The Lilly. After a certain point it becomes a bit too pretty to use. Any battle scars are the history of the piece and IMO should not be wiped away in favor of superficial beautification. You have a nice looking vise that has been returned to service as it was intended to be. JMO, any that disagree with my opinion are cordially invited to purchase shiny new vises to ruin all they want to.

 

[Captainkrusty]

Can't add anything to your questions regarding this particular vise but wanted to compliment you on refreshing it without making a "collector" bauble out of it. As a retired toolmaker and former employee of Wilton (Schiller Park) I can appreciate those wanting it to look nice but a full flap wheel/body filler make-over for perceived imperfections rather strikes me as Gilding The Lilly. After a certain point it becomes a bit too pretty to use. Any battle scars are the history of the piece and IMO should not be wiped away in favor of superficial beautification. You have a nice looking vise that has been returned to service as it was intended to be. JMO, any that disagree with my opinion are cordially invited to purchase shiny new vises to ruin all they want to.

Well said, thank you.

 

[Roberts210]

Great job on a great WW2 vise.