I had whole big story typed up about how I acquire this old vise from a farm shop/garage..Then like I have done to many times hit a wrong tab lost it.
Short story is I now have a bigger vise like always wanted. Don't have a real big solid bench like I took it from. I'm thinking I should put it on a pedestal of some type I can move around for lack of space. Just not sure how heavy it should be to be solid platform.
Also thinking I may just clean the swing handle on this gem so it slides again. I know the vise hasn't been used in several years is why rust on swing handle.
Anyone build a pedestal for their vise works well and have pictures to share.

Man if this thing could talk it have some tails to tell.. No idea how old the vise is but farm was in family for just over 100 years.






Mac

A brass rotary wheel would do wonders for those Rusty areas

Farm disc works well but has is limits you need to work as vertical as you can to avoid tipping it, very portable so it’s give and take.

LawDog
That is kind of what I had in mind something like that. I don't have a disc blade handy but do have car wheel rims? I like that disc though lower profile and may have to scrounge one up.. Have you ever thrown like sand bags or something on the disc. Give you little more weight on base so can lever things?

Mac

I have one on a bench so if I have a bigger job I use that one. A few sand bags and 2X4 overs that disc should help.

I welded mine to a Jack Stand and it works pretty good. I made a plate to fit the foot print of the vise and bolted it to it and then welded the plate to the jack stand.
http://www.sumner.com/sumner/subdisplaya.9.7.9.0.0.0.html

My suggestion would be a build a big solid bench to put it on. You want a big solid vice to hold everything solid so you can really work on it. No need for a big solid vice on something that'll tip over. Even using it to press in U-joints it could tip if the drive shaft stuck out far off one side. $.02

Oh and you should look up some old vice restoration videos on you tube & get that crack welded up in the back. Looks like it could be a very nice project for ya!

Find a metal door and some good 4x4s to build a bench out of always overbuild if you can.

I have a bench in the shop that is 14' long, 4" wooden top, and welded 4" I beams for the base. Its also bolted to the wall and the concrete floor. It was here when I bought the place, hate to think the cost if it needed to be built today. BUT it doesn't have a big old wilton mounted to it, yet. Probably save Mac a lot of trouble to just send me that vice since I have a proper bench in need of it.

What Jayme said. Last thing you want when you put something in a vice is to have to chase it around, and the bigger the vice, the more top heavy it will be. If you really want/ need it to be portable, a plumbers pipe vise stand has long legs that go three directions, but something heavy enough will still tip it. Good luck.

I think that thing will be dangerous for you, Mac. I would be very glad to come over, pick it up, and save you from injury!

That is really a beauty! I would think a very heavy pedestal would work. As mentioned before, a car or truck rim with some added weight might do the trick and you could roll it around to where you need it.

Clean that puppy up and it will last several lifetimes. You may want to check out www.iforgeiron.com It's a site for blacksmiths and you may get some good ideas on there. They have a forum dedicated to vises.

Moosetrot

A vise without a solid foundation is just another clamp. If space is an issue, a pedestal mounted to a solid post would be better stability than a disc or other moveable pedestal. My Wilton lives on the corner of a pretty stout bench that is heavy enough for the majority of my needs. I would not even consider putting it on a free standing pedestal.

you must have a work bench of some sort already. maybe mount the vise on that, and put swivel castors under it, so the entire bench can be rolled out of the way. just a thought.

Heavy bench made out of 2x12's for the top. I always have stuff to set down next to the vice. Having one floating in the middle of the shop would be awkward to work with.

Of course, the 2x12's might cost more than the vice.

Mac-Was just thinking... In the past I have bought steel door seconds at Menards really cheap, and used them for workbenches. They usually have a stack of them and they do make great workbench tops.

Moosetrot

The disc base would work better if you bolted it to a plate or 1/2 sheet of plywood so you could stand on it to stabilize it.

I just don’t see a vice, especially one that size, working on a pedestal. You need a good, solid bench to mount that on.

I mounted a vice not that big on a 2 x 12 shelf attached to the garage wall, almost ripped the shelf off the wall the other day.