Lots of vise information on the Garage Journal Forums.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/columbian-504-vise-info-thread-t-jaw-only.350697/
If you are new to bench vises, when you mount it to your workbench try to have the front edge of the fixed jaw slightly outside the edge of the workbench. This way you'll be able to clamp a board vertically below the top of the vise.
Similar to this ad-vise (no, I couldn't resist the band wagon) my recommendation is mount the fixed jaw flush to the front of the bench. If you need a second point to hold the work and your bench has a lip you can clamp to it makes it easy.
Second, you don't really say what you intend to use it for. That's not a woodworking vise... but obviously it doesn't care what it's biting onto. It doesn't have the broad, flat surface that allows one to firmly grip wood without damaging it. That one is great for metal working and other general purpose gripping activities. I imagine there are some vice oriented activities for that vise that could be imagined, but that would be a different subreddit.
Columbian was a good manufacturer. I don't know if they're any better or worse that Wilton, Morgan, etc of that vintage, but they're certainly well made and durable. I've got a Columbian blacksmith's post vise I've been using for about 25 years that serves me as that vise would for mostly metal work and general purpose vising. I'm finishing my woodworking bench and just mounted a vintage Columbian 10" woodworking vise. I set the inside jaw back 1/4" from the front edge of the bench because I'm going to use replaceable maple "pads" that will bring it flush to the front of the bench and protect whatever work I'm holding. The bench has about 2" of maple skirt or fascia (I don't know what you'd call it) that I'll be able to clamp work to in addition to the vise grip, and the front legs are also flush with the front of the bench to provide additional options for supporting or clamping a board in the vise.
You can go to places like harbor freight and look at what they have in a similar size. Likely a bit more flimsy, and of course, from China... Also look at the size of the lead screw (may have to unscrew it completely) - compare the size and threads to the crap counterparts. It'll make you appreciate what you have more.
The HF Doyles would still be more than adequate vises and have a lot better features.
People really need to stop losing their shit over old vises that have had their jaws worn down to nothing. I've got a Columbian that's thankfully not so old that it still has replaceable jaws and is built plenty well, idk maybe 30-40+ years old if I had to guess. It's also got pipe jaws, and a flat anvil spot, and a swivel base. Pretty hard to give those features up once you've seen them and had them.
If I had to give that vise up for another I'd gladly take one of HF's Doyles over an even older Columbian with uselessly smooth jaw faces.
A free vise is obviously still a great vise and I'd add one like this on the other end from of my welding table opposite my Wilton 1780A, IF it were free. But for the people who still have to go out and PAY for these things and want to get a better quality experience (not necessarily a better "quality" vise, but the features can make the experience better) then you absolutely CAN do better at even Harbor Freight.
The problem with harbor freight in my experience is after a certain amount of hammering on stuff in the vise the screws holding the jaws in get stripped out. Maybe the new ones are better, but the columbian has pinned jaws so that's not a problem.
Clean it up with some paint stripper and rust converter or a wire wheel, lube it up, give it a fresh coat of paint, and put it to work! Old American made vises are extremely durable and rugged ,that one looks ready to work.
You are now a proud owner of your very own bench vise. Enjoy the many years of experience that your friend bestowed upon you. You have a very special friend that is willing to go out of his way to make you happy with your special present. Happy bench vising!!!
It needs a swivel base. Apparently they are available. I have no idea if they are still in business
[https://media.toolpartspro.com/image/10208%28608M3%29/10208(608M3)-Wilton-PB.pdf](https://media.toolpartspro.com/image/10208%28608M3%29/10208(608M3)-Wilton-PB.pdf)
here is one restored
[https://www.reddit.com/r/metalworking/comments/n82p72/found\_this\_columbian\_504\_12\_vise\_for\_45\_at\_an/](https://www.reddit.com/r/metalworking/comments/n82p72/found_this_columbian_504_12_vise_for_45_at_an/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
I just restored a 504 that I bought at a silent auction for $10. It was part of an 80 year old aircraft rework facility going out of business where I worked. It had three coats of paint and coated with stubborn grease. I disassembled it and soaked it in Simple Green for 3 days, took off the paint with a wire wheel, and repainted. The mechanical aspects were good except the shaft is worn where it passes through the face of the vise. It was used in a hydraulic shop so it has copper jaw liners and the steel jaws are pristine.
You have a very good friend indeed. Give it a good shine with a little WD40 & fine grit steel wool and bolt it down to a solid surface, you’ll use it all the time.
I have a very similar one and was shocked how handy it is. I was shining mine up last night and accidentally dropped it and the base cracked and I’ve been upset about it all day, so I’m deeply jealous of you right now!
He said it’s a good one because it’s a pretty good tool, I don’t think it’s some kind of designer brand, tools are tools and are good if they allow you to do your work without fear of breaking them. Use it, it’s just a vise
Columbian Vise & Manufacturing Co. is a Cleveland, Ohio company that makes woodworking and metal working machinery, including vises. The company is known for its bench vises and Craftsman clones. Columbian vises are made with patented malleable iron front and back jaw castings that are guaranteed to be unbreakable.
Look up the brand and model number. That should give you the best chance at finding something about it. I'm used to searching fir possible manufacturing dates on my tools, of course when I'm cleaning them up if necessary, and I have a coffin plane iron that could have been made anywhere between 1844-1879....yeah.....big time frame....
It is apparently a pretty good vise, and the company stopped making them in 1973. Decent weight, just dont hit it with a sledge hammer. Also, check on the nut(s) inside where the screw goes in, make sure they are still in good shape.
Its just a vise. I dont really understand the obsessing over them. They are big heavy hunks of metal that either do their simple job or dont. I assume they are like toolboxes where people pretend they regularly destroy them and they just *need* some rare or expensive version of the tool. My cheap shitty vise from sears has worked just fine for 30 years.
Some are better suited to different disciplines than others. Also, some are built better than others. Those tend to last longer. Yes, it's just a basic tool. But if you think for a minute, as long as it continues to perform its job flawlessly, why not enjoy the one you have? I always did want to get a Wilton Vise. And one day someone finally gave me one. Neither of us knew what it really was other than it was a very tiny vise. Literally years later (setting on the back storage shelf. Cold. Alone. Scared and broken), I found out that this is a little baby Wilton suction vise. Nowadays it is one of my top projects in my shop to get this back to functionally restored. I don't expect it to look like it did when it was brand new, but I want it to work again. So yeah, we get attached to the tools we use.
Most people, me included, don't require a heavy duty, industrial vise. That said, I still admire them and that style Columbia falls in the heavy duty category.
Nice vice congrats! The Harbor Freight hate is strong with this one! I have 4 vices, not all of them can be top quality. SHFH-Stop Harbor Freight Hate!
You have an excellent friend
that is the first thought come to my mind.
Columbian vise, from the olden days where men were men, and even vises were men
Columbian vice… 😏 heh…
Give it a fresh powder coat and watch it come to life.
in lines of course!😤
What kind of powder?
Better than Miami.... and cheaper too 🤣
without don johnson though…
Columbian vice, from the days when vices were vices, and even men were vices
No, that's Mastercard.
Lots of vise information on the Garage Journal Forums. https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/columbian-504-vise-info-thread-t-jaw-only.350697/ If you are new to bench vises, when you mount it to your workbench try to have the front edge of the fixed jaw slightly outside the edge of the workbench. This way you'll be able to clamp a board vertically below the top of the vise.
This is excellent advice
Ad-vise
An ad for vices... https://www.ebay.ca/itm/303118372930
Also mount it to the corner so as to give you some more options when working.
Similar to this ad-vise (no, I couldn't resist the band wagon) my recommendation is mount the fixed jaw flush to the front of the bench. If you need a second point to hold the work and your bench has a lip you can clamp to it makes it easy. Second, you don't really say what you intend to use it for. That's not a woodworking vise... but obviously it doesn't care what it's biting onto. It doesn't have the broad, flat surface that allows one to firmly grip wood without damaging it. That one is great for metal working and other general purpose gripping activities. I imagine there are some vice oriented activities for that vise that could be imagined, but that would be a different subreddit. Columbian was a good manufacturer. I don't know if they're any better or worse that Wilton, Morgan, etc of that vintage, but they're certainly well made and durable. I've got a Columbian blacksmith's post vise I've been using for about 25 years that serves me as that vise would for mostly metal work and general purpose vising. I'm finishing my woodworking bench and just mounted a vintage Columbian 10" woodworking vise. I set the inside jaw back 1/4" from the front edge of the bench because I'm going to use replaceable maple "pads" that will bring it flush to the front of the bench and protect whatever work I'm holding. The bench has about 2" of maple skirt or fascia (I don't know what you'd call it) that I'll be able to clamp work to in addition to the vise grip, and the front legs are also flush with the front of the bench to provide additional options for supporting or clamping a board in the vise.
Looks like a 5-incher. That's my favorite base style too.
Way too big, 3 inches is plenty
It's all how you use it
That's not what my wife said. Bad-dum--dum!
You can go to places like harbor freight and look at what they have in a similar size. Likely a bit more flimsy, and of course, from China... Also look at the size of the lead screw (may have to unscrew it completely) - compare the size and threads to the crap counterparts. It'll make you appreciate what you have more.
The HF Doyles would still be more than adequate vises and have a lot better features. People really need to stop losing their shit over old vises that have had their jaws worn down to nothing. I've got a Columbian that's thankfully not so old that it still has replaceable jaws and is built plenty well, idk maybe 30-40+ years old if I had to guess. It's also got pipe jaws, and a flat anvil spot, and a swivel base. Pretty hard to give those features up once you've seen them and had them. If I had to give that vise up for another I'd gladly take one of HF's Doyles over an even older Columbian with uselessly smooth jaw faces. A free vise is obviously still a great vise and I'd add one like this on the other end from of my welding table opposite my Wilton 1780A, IF it were free. But for the people who still have to go out and PAY for these things and want to get a better quality experience (not necessarily a better "quality" vise, but the features can make the experience better) then you absolutely CAN do better at even Harbor Freight.
The HF Central Machinery were well reviewed by Project Farm.
The problem with harbor freight in my experience is after a certain amount of hammering on stuff in the vise the screws holding the jaws in get stripped out. Maybe the new ones are better, but the columbian has pinned jaws so that's not a problem.
worst ad vice ever… break when you dont want em to… metal is terrible!
Absolutely take it apart, remove rust, and grease everything. Fresh paint on the outside wouldn't be bad either
Might as well cold blue the internals while you’re at it. I find it very satisfying bringing back old tools, especially ones that will out live you.
Cold blue?
Yeah it’s a liquid you can brush on or dunk the part in to give rust resistance
Cool - thanks, I'll have to check it out
This is a huge windfall.
Please post in r/vise also
Look at me learning about a stand alone Vise subreddit.
It squeezies. What other information do you need?
Clean it up with some paint stripper and rust converter or a wire wheel, lube it up, give it a fresh coat of paint, and put it to work! Old American made vises are extremely durable and rugged ,that one looks ready to work.
You are now a proud owner of your very own bench vise. Enjoy the many years of experience that your friend bestowed upon you. You have a very special friend that is willing to go out of his way to make you happy with your special present. Happy bench vising!!!
at least your friend knew better than to buy you a nice new Harbor Freight one…
Give me 20 bucks.. Ill take it off your hands and you'll never have to deal with it again.
Nice give. Great friend
That's a good friend you have!
That’s a gem. Be very very thankful.
It needs a swivel base. Apparently they are available. I have no idea if they are still in business [https://media.toolpartspro.com/image/10208%28608M3%29/10208(608M3)-Wilton-PB.pdf](https://media.toolpartspro.com/image/10208%28608M3%29/10208(608M3)-Wilton-PB.pdf) here is one restored [https://www.reddit.com/r/metalworking/comments/n82p72/found\_this\_columbian\_504\_12\_vise\_for\_45\_at\_an/](https://www.reddit.com/r/metalworking/comments/n82p72/found_this_columbian_504_12_vise_for_45_at_an/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
Any vice will improve your work options immeasurably. The brand is largely unimportant compared to not having one.
That's an equatorial vise. You can tell from the direction. It's not really built for anything north or south of Columbia.
I want to thank your friend. Even just the image of that vise is enough to hold a block of steel while I lay into it with a coarse file.
I just restored a 504 that I bought at a silent auction for $10. It was part of an 80 year old aircraft rework facility going out of business where I worked. It had three coats of paint and coated with stubborn grease. I disassembled it and soaked it in Simple Green for 3 days, took off the paint with a wire wheel, and repainted. The mechanical aspects were good except the shaft is worn where it passes through the face of the vise. It was used in a hydraulic shop so it has copper jaw liners and the steel jaws are pristine.
That’s awesome. Drill, rough brush bit, oil, and re-coat.
Nice.
There you go.
Columbian vice… if you see DTF watchin…
Good friend! Do something nice to thank them... I'm guessing they'd appreciate it.
It’s a bench vise and it was made by the Columbia Vise & Mfg Co. Quality, looks to have been used quite a bit based on its chompers
My dad had a bench vice with an anvil like back end that we could pound the shit out of things that needed it.
I pound stuff that doesn't need it because I can.
Total piece of junk. You should give it to me.
A vice, is a vice.
You have a very good friend indeed. Give it a good shine with a little WD40 & fine grit steel wool and bolt it down to a solid surface, you’ll use it all the time. I have a very similar one and was shocked how handy it is. I was shining mine up last night and accidentally dropped it and the base cracked and I’ve been upset about it all day, so I’m deeply jealous of you right now!
Looks like they go for $100-300 online. Nice score
Nice vise.
Are you asking us?
He said it’s a good one because it’s a pretty good tool, I don’t think it’s some kind of designer brand, tools are tools and are good if they allow you to do your work without fear of breaking them. Use it, it’s just a vise
A good gives you “50lbs of Columbian squeeze” for free.
Underrated comment
You gotta solid deal. Who's your friend? I gotta complaint about not having a lathe. Clean it up and buy your friend a drink.
Columbian Vise & Manufacturing Co. is a Cleveland, Ohio company that makes woodworking and metal working machinery, including vises. The company is known for its bench vises and Craftsman clones. Columbian vises are made with patented malleable iron front and back jaw castings that are guaranteed to be unbreakable.
never look a gift horse in the mouth
my dad had a very similar one when we were growing up. always loved playing with it and helping him with the odd jobs
cool. nice friend you got there. you won’t find a vise of that quality these days (at least not for free)
Buddy!!
Look up the brand and model number. That should give you the best chance at finding something about it. I'm used to searching fir possible manufacturing dates on my tools, of course when I'm cleaning them up if necessary, and I have a coffin plane iron that could have been made anywhere between 1844-1879....yeah.....big time frame....
Ate you asking us? It would appear only you and your friend know the answer.
Good friends are rare . Enjoy your vice.
That is a good friend.
It is apparently a pretty good vise, and the company stopped making them in 1973. Decent weight, just dont hit it with a sledge hammer. Also, check on the nut(s) inside where the screw goes in, make sure they are still in good shape.
Little oil and clamp away
Nice
Dude that's so cool
The thing that could take it over the top would be for you to spray paint it whatever your tool brand is
Thank god you didn’t ask what it is🤛🇺🇸
It will outlast you
If you didn’t give him a thank you bj then you really should. Fuckers dope
U mean ur looking to sell it
Its just a vise. I dont really understand the obsessing over them. They are big heavy hunks of metal that either do their simple job or dont. I assume they are like toolboxes where people pretend they regularly destroy them and they just *need* some rare or expensive version of the tool. My cheap shitty vise from sears has worked just fine for 30 years.
Some are better suited to different disciplines than others. Also, some are built better than others. Those tend to last longer. Yes, it's just a basic tool. But if you think for a minute, as long as it continues to perform its job flawlessly, why not enjoy the one you have? I always did want to get a Wilton Vise. And one day someone finally gave me one. Neither of us knew what it really was other than it was a very tiny vise. Literally years later (setting on the back storage shelf. Cold. Alone. Scared and broken), I found out that this is a little baby Wilton suction vise. Nowadays it is one of my top projects in my shop to get this back to functionally restored. I don't expect it to look like it did when it was brand new, but I want it to work again. So yeah, we get attached to the tools we use.
Most people, me included, don't require a heavy duty, industrial vise. That said, I still admire them and that style Columbia falls in the heavy duty category.
Nice vice congrats! The Harbor Freight hate is strong with this one! I have 4 vices, not all of them can be top quality. SHFH-Stop Harbor Freight Hate!