I enjoy reading your posts, I’ve picked up several wiltons over the years and have them all, one is restored and I’m going to clean up the 41-45 model I just got last night. . I also recently picked up a prentiss anchor line vise that I’m not going to hang onto, if you know anyone.. I like this picture, was the vise designed this way for a specific purpose or did an enterprising soul modify it?
Thanks for the note and kind words! Vises like this Prentiss were designed largely for people working with sheet metal. The shape of the jaws allows you to bend the metal, and get tight angles. I also noted that the local blacksmith shop has one like this for use hand-filing parts. The shape of the jaws lets your hands get closer to the work piece, than thicker, traditional jaws. It’s probably not a great vise for all-around use, but for sheet metal, filing and even some woodworking, can come in really handy.
I enjoy reading your posts, I’ve picked up several wiltons over the years and have them all, one is restored and I’m going to clean up the 41-45 model I just got last night. . I also recently picked up a prentiss anchor line vise that I’m not going to hang onto, if you know anyone.. I like this picture, was the vise designed this way for a specific purpose or did an enterprising soul modify it?
Hi Justin,
Thanks for the note and kind words! Vises like this Prentiss were designed largely for people working with sheet metal. The shape of the jaws allows you to bend the metal, and get tight angles. I also noted that the local blacksmith shop has one like this for use hand-filing parts. The shape of the jaws lets your hands get closer to the work piece, than thicker, traditional jaws. It’s probably not a great vise for all-around use, but for sheet metal, filing and even some woodworking, can come in really handy.