Vintage Columbian Vise Restore - Jimbos Garage

Jimbo restores this vintage Columbian vise that was given to him by a client. Some wire brushing, grease and clear coat made this vise look almost new. Not the most difficult project in the world but it was fun to get it in the garage and fixed up.

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[rhodysweet]

Jimbo - nice vise! Finally something I can comment on as I have a bit of a "vise vice" myself...I think you are correct that that vise is probably about 50 years old or so, I would say 1950-1960-ish. The fact that the main bulb that the handle passes thru is cylindrical and not a "bulb" shape means it's post-1940s for sure. But it's still vintage. I would say that the brass tag you describe was an ID for a specific company that either ordered that vise directly from the manufacturer, or tagged it right after they received shipment.

They don't make them like that anymore. I know you like that Yost you have on your bench, and Yost does make USA-Made vises still for some of their higher end models. But that Columbian blows your Yost model away as far as strength and quality. Personally I would find a place for it on one of your benches! A man can never have to many vises (or is it vices???)!!!! Dave

[robservice]

My dad had one in his small engine repair shop for 40 years and it was used when he got it!. Great vise and I'm appreciating your video as I'll be restoring it when the spring comes along.

[orionrestorationbeyond]

Just picked one of these up at a flea market yesterday 504 1/2 it's in really good shape. I like your idea with a basic clear coat. I think that's what I'm going to do

[CharlesJohnson-ydym]

Good find, just stopped at an estate sale and SURPRISE!!! Walked out with a Columbian Vise also. For $35.00, a 3 1/2 inch, number 43 1/2 bench vise sits in the oil bucket awaiting restoration... A Great Day...
Off to do some research myself...
Chuck in Michigan
..

[StreetersGarage]

Nice vise. I picked up a 405 1/2 this summer at an estate sale for $5.00. It's in great shape and I restored it as well. Painted mine red.

[Rattletrap]

I'm thinking the brass tag is to identify this vice as an "asset" of some company?

[alphabet]

I don't know what you do/did as a day job, but you remind me of a guy who worked for the county... yep, a government employee. Once he got a rusty old something or other, I think it was a big hundred year old pully, and began kicking up rust and dust all over the place. Half way through I told him to just drop in in a couple gallons of diesel overnight and brush it off by hand with a copper brush. He said thanks, but he was just going to continue how he started, and went back to making a mess of the whole area. Nice looking vise.

[soccovitch]

I love that you put clear on that. Turned out great!

[tnekkc]

I have a 504 without a swivel for 15 years and it is the only vise I have not broken.
I also have a 604 1/2 bigger with a swivel. Had it for a few days.
I am taking the rust off with wire wheel, but cannot figure out how to get it to come apart.

[ThomasShue]

The tag is a company asset tag, it was not on the vice from the Manufacturer. Lovley vice!

[ronaldmartin]

What you have is a steel vise with 4 1/2 inch wide jaws with an opening of 8 inches give or take an inch or so. Nice old vise. They don't make vises like this anymore! The brass tag was put on there by the company that purchased it as a way to catalog it and ensure that the vise indicates it was owned by the company.

[Blueduck]

Red=Home owner vises.
Green=Wood working vises.
Gray=Machinist vises.
Of course there are others but I'm not sure what the colors were since the old catalogues are black and white and they rarely survive in a condition where you can verify the original color.
The tag is a ID tag for the company who owned it. Could have been anything from a factory or military installation to a rail yard.

[gloriasheridan]

Wish you had given tips on reassembly, lubricating, etc. I am trying to reassemble my father's. As for age, he had it before I was born and that was 62 years ago.

[brucemelton]

Great video you have, but I have a question. Can the handle be removed? Does one of the balls unscrew from the handle? I have a 504-M2.

[mikehamilton]

Ive seen a 504 also with a brass plate. It has some letters followed by 10522. I think it is a manufacturing date. Oct 5 1922. I could be wrong tho 😀

[gordbaker]

Great score! Thought you might remove the Lead Screw and clean it up as well.
Not my choice of coating but it does look nice au naturel...
It appears to be Steel vs Cast Iron. Spark test?

[dmar]

It’s funny. Everyone who acquires one gets it for $5. Everyone who sells one asks $300. I think more are bought than are actually sold.

[AEON.]

I just got the same vise yesterday! Using Sea Foam DEEP CREEP multi-use penetrating lubricant - I still can't get it open - what is your advice? it's opened and stuck. Jaws are about 2 1/4" open. Other than that - almost perfect condition like yours. But I don't have the brass plate.

[chucktherepairguy]

Very nice I got one just like that and mines all rusty. I just might do the same thing. Thanks

[culleynewman]

Jimbo I have a vice like that one found in a junk pile. Mine is open and when i spin the handle nothing happens the screw spins but doesnt open or close. any ideas?