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Joined: Oct 2004
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Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 24,667 |
So a couple of years ago I got this second hand for $50.00 and I really couldn't pass it up (typically $150 new, and this was essentially new). At the time I bought this, had a very nice English made Record 4" vise that I had been using for over 15 years, and I was very happy with it...at least I thought so. Initially I just put it on the shelf; like I said, I was happy with my Record. But then another gunsmith friend of mine said he had basically the same vise from some unknown maker. He also had a beautiful old Athol 5" that I drooled over a few times. Well he started using the 360 rotating import and hasn't gone back; he really liked that rotating head feature. So I thought I might as well take it for a test ride. So I mounted the Wilton import (I think they're made in Korea), cast some lead soft jaws, and made some Delrin jaws. Well my friend was right, that 360 degree rotation is a feature that's become indispensable. So my Record has been permanently moved to another side of the shop where I work on motorcycles, and the Wilton is now my primary vise. Now as a gunsmith, I'm not hard on a vise and I'm not sure how well this is suited for really tough jobs. I did give it a really big workout unscrewing an MG42 barrel from a trunion, so it hasn't exactly been babied. But a mechanic may want to go ahead and find a vintage real American made vise. Honestly, I doubt I'd pay $150 for that vise, but I'm happy with my "used" price. For general stuff, and certainly for gunsmithing I find myself recommending an imported tool...and I'm VERY pro-buy American; especially when it comes to tools.
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 15,912 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 15,912 Likes: 1 |
Looks like a perfectly usable solution at a great price. Well done. I like the 360 degree rotating head.
There are 2 rules to success:
1. Never tell everything that you know.
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 19,495
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 19,495 |
And used US made 'bullet' Wilton vises are selling for $200-$350!
(Or more for the very large ones.)
Retired cat herder.
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,442 Likes: 1 |
And used US made 'bullet' Wilton vises are selling for $200-$350!
(Or more for the very large ones.) I have a vintage Wilton bullet vise about the same size in immaculate shape. Love it. Paid $225 for it, shipped.
Last edited by Godogs57; 04/08/17.
You only live once, but...if you do it right, once is enough.
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,082
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,082 |
How did you make the jaws?
Stupidity is expensive If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck!
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Joined: Apr 2011
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Campfire Savant
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Campfire Savant
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 151,833 Likes: 20 |
I bought this one 40 years ago, it's had a lot of use, still good.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 53,303
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 53,303 |
Make a REAL imrovement in what's already a great design,...make a punch outta' that ridiculous SHORT handle and fit one almost TWICE as long,...you'll probably need to glom onto a stick of O1 metric drill rod. I generally chitcan those silly little, to short knuckle bustin' rotation handles and just grab a bull prick when I need to adjust something. ....as far as the handle goes, I generally keep on of those elastic tarp bungees ( the ones that are a loop through a plastic ball) wrapped around where the handle hubs into the lead screw,....with the handle Equi-distant / centered,....I'll tell ya' what, ....you're gonna LIKE the speed and ease with which you can open and close the thing, Just give er' a spin...as for pulling things down TIGHT,....only needing half the effort's a plus, when one puts in long days. Phouc OSHA,....and don't let the Safety Boss , or idiots near you vice. Be aware that cast iron / cast steel DO have their limits. Don't by New chit quality Harbor frieght cast ANYTHING. If you just have to, ....bring a magnet and go over the piece carefully,....bondo does not a good vice make.
I've got that thing's big brother out in my welding bay,...Payed $100 for it used 18 years ago. Gonna' move it onto a swinging arm for light work, and pull the gigantic all steel S. African RECORD of the azz of my now retired and derelict welding deck for the welding bench.
Sunday morning freebie,...tech tips from Cameron.
Last edited by crossfireoops; 04/08/17.
Member, Clan of the Border Rats -- “Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it.”- Mark Twain
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Joined: Sep 2014
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,255 Likes: 1 |
I am an industrial maintenance feller and Wilton is the best vice. Period. Tradesman, like what hanco has, is the best style of Wilton, but any Wilton is good.
"Faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, and more money." -Tom T Hall
Molon Labe
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 53,303 |
This one's been rode hard and put away wet, it was old and beat up when I got it 18 years ago,.... Wilton's NEVER built anything to match the all steel RECORD's that were made by poor oppressed blackamoors in S. Africa, back before the boycott on those nasty Apartheid types,... Got mine in W. Canada in the '80s Wilton's DO break,....The all steel record DON'T .......God knows we've tried. Generally agree as regards Wilton quality,....but in all honesty and fairness have to say that some of the stuff that came out of India and China 30 years ago was damn GOOD. None of it ever landed on American shores, you had to go into the third world to find it,....there's a LOT of that gear just S. of the line in Mex., S. America too. The vice I pictured above is out of the "Iron Rooster" foundry in China,....HAS to be at least 40 50 years old. Came up outta' Mex. to a flea market,....I reckon the purveyor stole it outta' a mine,....dunno'. GTC
Member, Clan of the Border Rats -- “Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it.”- Mark Twain
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 26,283 Likes: 4
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 26,283 Likes: 4 |
That vise looks identical to my Harbor Freight vise...........
Casey
Casey
Not being married to any particular political party sure makes it a lot easier to look at the world more objectively... Having said that, MAGA.
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Joined: Apr 2008
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,960 Likes: 1 |
The rotating head is sweet
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 53,303
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 53,303 |
That vise looks identical to my Harbor Freight vise...........
Casey
Well duh,.... Yes, and that's cuz' that stupid GATT agreement virtually DESTROYED American Patent rights and autority. Every damned quality product we ever made's being counterfitted in China and other 3rd world mfg. countries. Tell ya' what,....knock all the paint off an original Wilton ...than do the same with the HF vise,....CAREFULLY,...don't break out the bondo ....OK,....now compare the quality of the raw castings,....I mean TEST them,....and see what you've got, seasoned casting v. one cast out of an old Desoto with the battery still in it...... People that tout this knock off crap really know chit from bean dip about quality, and the basic properties of raw materials. GTC
Last edited by crossfireoops; 04/09/17.
Member, Clan of the Border Rats -- “Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it.”- Mark Twain
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 8,259 Likes: 5 |
I am an industrial maintenance feller and Wilton is the best vice. Period. Tradesman, like what hanco has, is the best style of Wilton, but any Wilton is good. +1 For indoor use the machinist/pipe vice combo with swivel is hard to beat. Handy like pockets on a shirt... If your gonna be out in the elements, the tradesman, by over-all general design and with the sealed end will take a lot more abuse. While the Wilton casting isn't what it used to be, it's still a lot better than much of the junk that's being offered out there today. That's why I always keep my eyes open at the flea markets and yard sales. I just bought a Wilton cross vice for my drill press. I already had a cheaper name on another drill press that works alright, but the Wilton was definitely worth the extra change$.
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Joined: Mar 2011
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2011
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...... People that tout this knock off crap really know chit from bean dip
GTC !!!Too good. I want to say something clever but that is too funny to beat. Wait, there is a difference other than cheese? Dang, I drove through Cameron last month. Please keep these tech tips coming as I am just a garage level hobbyist.
Me solum relinquatis
Molon Labe
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 53,303
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 53,303 |
You're absolutely bang on about the lack of really well seasoned castings out there, and old DOES = Better Here's a pick of my OLD, American founded hard run Brownells 'Smith's vice,....replete with extended handle in "spin fast position. Big old American drop forged Armstrong C' clamp gave it's all to build the clamp on base,....that vice gets around,....even goes out to shooting ranges sometimes. Call Brownells and ask them WHERE their identically listed vises are made now,....and where their buyers got them a better price . Ask for some replacement parts for your original, for a REAL look at the state of quality appreciation and consumer acceptance of lesser quality is really at. GTC
Member, Clan of the Border Rats -- “Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it.”- Mark Twain
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Joined: Jan 2010
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 32,130 Likes: 1 |
That first one looks like a C2.?
"....as far as the handle goes, I generally keep on of those elastic tarp bungees ( the ones that are a loop through a plastic ball) wrapped around where the handle hubs into the lead screw,....with the handle Equi-distant / centered,....I'll tell ya' what, ....you're gonna LIKE the speed and ease with which you can open and close the thing, Just give er' a spin...as for pulling things down TIGHT,....only needing half the effort's a plus, when one puts in long days."
I'd love a few pics of this. I'm not sure, I get it.
Thanks!
If you put Taco Bell sauce in your ramen noodles it tastes just like poverty
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 32,130 Likes: 1
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 32,130 Likes: 1 |
If you put Taco Bell sauce in your ramen noodles it tastes just like poverty
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 53,303
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 53,303 |
For indoor use the machinist/pipe vice combo with swivel is hard to beat. Handy like pockets on a shirt... If your gonna be out in the elements, the tradesman, by over-all general design and with the sealed end will take a lot more abuse. I generally tear down a brand new tool and "finish" it,....particularly something with lead screws and jaws,....drill and tap the swivel area with a coupla' 1/8" NPT holes,....keep em' plugged, cuz the zerks you'll be fitting every now and than to pump in some vienerschlider WILL get busted in use. GTC
Member, Clan of the Border Rats -- “Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it.”- Mark Twain
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 53,303 |
I'd love a few pics of this. I'm not sure, I get it. just posted a pic of said wrinkle GTC
Member, Clan of the Border Rats -- “Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it.”- Mark Twain
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Joined: Jan 2010
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,629 Likes: 1 |
That vise looks identical to my Harbor Freight vise...........
Casey
Looks are not everything The material Harbor Freight and the cheap company's use verses the High Quality the the High end Machine company's use are WAY different Vises are in some ways like mills and other precision machines. Bridgeport is Bridport for a reason and Wilton is Wilton for a reason. You pay more for the best.
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