Another Wilton Bullet Vise for my Workshop

[Grizzly]

I just acquired Another Wilton Bullet Vise for my Workshop. The vise I purchased last week has 5" jaws, is 20" long and weighs 96 lbs. I don't know the model number nor the age. I know it's old, because it looks old and has layers of paint. I purchased it from a man who appears to be in his mid to late 40's. He said it was his dad's who recently passed away. He remembers it from when he was a little kid. I can not remove the dynamic jaw to check the stamped date on the key at the bottom of the 2. 75"+/-round tube, which contains the opening /closing screw.

My first Wilton Bullet Vise is a model # 450N and has 4. 5" jaws and is 18" long. I don't know the weight, but it's probably 65 lbs +/-. The dynamic jaw on this one is easy to remove.

Are there any Wilton vise experts out there who can tell me the model number and how to remove the dynamic jaw so that I can check the date? I also want to clean out all the insides and re-grease it. I plan on stripping them down and restore them.

george

 

[Grizzly]

Surely we have a Wilton vise expert out there somewhere.

george

 

[rbattelle]

Apparently, we don't! But I wanted to say those are very nice vises.

Did you eventually get the dynamic jaw to move?

-Ryan

 

[Grizzly]

Apparently, we don't! But I wanted to say those are very nice vises.



Did you eventually get the dynamic jaw to move?



-Ryan

Yes I did Ryan. I removed the pins (2) at the back and the end cap, which looks like a grease cup on a wheel bearing. I was then able to push the long nut out the back of the vise with much difficulty. Then I separated the dynamic jaw and screw. I took it completely apart. The reason I couldn't remove the dynamic jaw in the first place was that one of the pins was was caught in the threads of the screw. The pin was bent about 45*.



On 1 Dec 12 I purchased another Wilton 450S Bullet Vise for $50. I couldn't pass this one up because it's very old. I can't find a date on it, but just the fact that the word WILTON is stamped on a curve means it's one of the early ones made. Could be in the 40'S. See photo.



george

 

[rbattelle]

Where are you finding these deals?

I have vise envy. Or vice envy. Either way.

-Ryan

 

[Grizzly]

I had a WANTED ad on craigslist looking for a small Wilton Bullet Vise, a 350S. I'm not buying anymore unless i find that small one. Some people have no idea what this old Wilton are worth, they just find them in your deceased father or grandfather's garage and want to get rid of stuff. On one of these vises I actually gave them more then they asked for.

george

 

[Wayne M.]

Are these vises the same all through the years? The are scattered all over the shops at my job. Looks like that size and perhaps one size bigger. All swivel base. All at least 20 years old.

 

[JohnRobinson]

Griz pm sent

 

[Grizzly]

Griz pm sent

I found them. Thanks John.

They're not cheap, but no doubt well worth the money, however by the time I pay shipping from LA to Albuquerque a small one will get very spendy. I believe I can find a small one locally and I'll do the restoration. I appreciate the thought. It's very kind of you. See link.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/tls/3562919457.html

 

[Grizzly]

Are these vises the same all through the years? The are scattered all over the shops at my job. Looks like that size and perhaps one size bigger. All swivel base. All at least 20 years old.

My youngest Wilton Bullet Vise is 36 years old, as per the date of manufacture stamped on the bottom in the keyway. The vise with the word Wilton stamped on a curve is much older, 40's, maybe 50's.

 

[Wayne M.]

Cool. I love old/ quality tools. The bench vise is often overlooked. To see the date, you have to pull the jaw?

 

[Grizzly]

Cool. I love old/ quality tools. The bench vise is often overlooked. To see the date, you have to pull the jaw?

Yes, pull the dynamic jaw all the way out and look at the keyway on the bottom of the cylinder.

 

[moparguy]

OK, I hit (or used to and will again) a lot of small auctions. What makes a Wilton Vise special, I obviously understand quality and workmanship and made in the USA, but are these just generally recognized as being better than the rest? Guess I don't know much about vices, although the wife would disagree.

 

[Grizzly]

OK, I hit (or used to and will again) a lot of small auctions. What makes a Wilton Vise special, I obviously understand quality and workmanship and made in the USA, but are these just generally recognized as being better than the rest? Guess I don't know much about vices, although the wife would disagree.

Wilton has long been regarded as the best vise made. Having said that, there are other brands who's quality are as good. One is the Colombia, which is owned by Wilton. Another is an old Craftsman, which were American made. The new Craftsman aren't near the old Craftsman or Wilton quality. There are a few other brands of high quality, which i don't care to mention because I can't vouch for there quality.



Wilton makes other shapes and application of vises besides the bullet shape. The Bullet is the most desirable, which is the reason for the higher price. It's the old supply and demand trick.



See Wilton Vise History; click here



george

 

[Wayne M.]

That's an awesome website!!! The SK page was great as well as the Wilton !!

 

[Grizzly]

That's an awesome website!!! The SK page was great as well as the Wilton !!

I agree on SK brand Wayne.

I like them all, but I'm especially partial to the early Craftsman brand because I grew up with Craftsman tools of my father and grandfather.

george

 

[Wayne M.]

Craftsman- the older the better. I have a 1/2 ratchet with the little brass oiler in the head... I use SK ratchets exclusively at work. One I found in a dollar bucket at a swap meet. It's an older 1/2' Wayne- I gave it a little TLC and it's awesome.

Sorry to get OT

 

[paine]

This is my first post but will likely not be my last. I have a 2000 Ford 7. 3L as of now and I am looking for a 12v for my second truck.

I have been looking for a nice 4-5" Wilton Bullet for some time now, taking some time as I cannot seem to find one under a few hundred dollars!! I guess I should post a wanted ad in some forum classifieds.

Nice forum guys!!

 

[Grizzly]

Welcome aboard Paine.



I have four Wilton Bullet Vices. One 4. 5", two 5" and one 5. 5". I found them all on craigslist for $100 and less. All have needed some work and or parts. Still looking for a 3" Bullet. Keep looking, you'll find them.



george

 

[paine]

Thanks for the incite. I bought my house 3 years ago and don't have a vise right now and it's becoming an issue, Inam trying to avoid buying a regular vise for $50-100 because I have used the bullet and know that's what I want!!!

You guys won't be of help because you all know what they are worth ha!!