VISE REPAIR 101 all vise repairs, lubricants, sources for parts and the tricks to fix

[RTM]

squeeze the jaws together right (not overl

Cheap DIY hack I would use, if you can’t see it using the dynamic.

Looking at this pic, with the nut out, I would take a large flat file and a Sharpie, and start coloring. Paint every flat bearing surface with sharpie, then use the flat face of your file as a straight edge, and make sure the internal bearing surfaces are co planar with the external ledge. Wiggling the file back n forth will mark up the sharpie, telling where a high spot may be.

Next, a height gauge, (maybe made out of a piece of card stock) tall enough to hit the entry portion, or to match the riding height of the dynamic jaw, slide it along those same bearing surfaces, see if you are hitting something up top. Repeat with the width, traversing the whole inside volume where the dynamic slides, making the card the width of the opening. Stand it up to make sure your opening isn’t a parallelogram, trapezoid or rhombus ( those who scoffed at geometry being useful later in life, take note).


I’m wondering if your jaw shelf is lower than the internal riding surfaces, or the dynamic is cocking a bit going into the opening, and catching on the exit somehow. Sharpie marking the depth the slide is into the static can give you clues on where to look once you pull the slide out.

 

[PowerWagonBuilder]

Picked up with Wilton 09-600 two weekends ago and have been slowly cleaning it up. One of the swivel locks was cracked, and when I was actually investigating it further, it fall apart in my hands so I was just glad that the pieces and the part stayed together long enough for me to recover it. I did a very deep (but ugly) gas braze repair on it.



^Someone had commented in another thread that the screw looks badly worn in this photo; after I cleaned the grease and grime out of it, it looked a bit different and even measuring the threads there isn't a lot of wear actually. I think the grease made it look worse than it is. There isn't much backlash from open to close either.

Tacked the pieces to a plate to help hold it in shape to start the braze, then cut it loose to finish the bottom.



The blue ended up being more of a blue than I had hoped for. Once it gets dirty again, it'll look fine.
I am debating on pulling the jaws and putting them in the mill and taking some light face cuts to get everything square. There is some slight wear on the key because when I go to tighten the vise at the very end, the dynamic moves over about 3/32" as seen in the jaw misalignment.

 

[drivesitfar]

PWB: that vise is a beast and even though i'm pretty sure you can purchase that part your brazed I commend you on not only being able to do the work, but remembering to take pictures and tell us all how you did it. this might help several members and onlookers that have old vises that there are not any parts for any longer.

good luck on the machining and post up a few pictures if you have time of your finished pieces.

 

[LTkev1n]

Hey guys,

I have two parkers that I intended on fixing one to replace my small Hollands.

No. 300 - needs a lead screw (broken thread)
Figured to post up here to see if anyone might have parts before I try to repair it, its a .995" OD ACME screw.

23x - needs a front saddle/retainer and the swivel base. I can probably fabricate a retainer easy enough but I'd like to get a base.

 

[Shiftless]

I got a great deal on a vintage March 1952 Craftsman 5196
The previous owner painted it in white primer and then black including the handle, slide and even the jaw faces.
I will reserve the next few spots here for my progress.

 

[Shiftless]

(reserved for progress pics)

 

[Shiftless]

(Reserved for more progress pics)

 

[Shiftless]

(Reserved for more progress pics)

 

[drivesitfar]

I think I’ll always love these craftsman 519x’s so nice find. I also love watching you and others restore these old vises especially using another vise to hold the parts.

Good luck!!

 

[fishwatcher]

I’m getting ready to paint this Craftsman 506-51840.

What paint would best match this silver Craftsman toolbox?

I’m thinking Rustoleum Stops Rust hammered silver or grey or Rustoleum Universal hammered antique pewter.

 

[Patrickm82]

I would use hammered silver, but that’s just me!

 

[Outlawmws]

I'm so done with silver/grey tools - I'd go Hammered Black - I did a 3" Wilton bullet, and it looked great.

 

[fishwatcher]

I'm so done with silver/grey tools - I'd go Hammered Black - I did a 3" Wilton bullet, and it looked great.

Like this? I love the hammered black on my 3” Wilton too. I agree it looks more like a dark grey than a black. But I was trying for something closer to the toolbox grey/silver.

 

[Outlawmws]

There you go...

 

[NBraun]

I started working on my Athol 613 that I picked up. Stripped the paint and then wire wheeled it. It seems to be in pretty good shape, though I'm impressed with how worn the jaws are. Not sure if I want to put a bunch of work into it right now, or just give it a nice paint job and call it good.

 

[Shiftless]

NB:
Athol vises are rugged. It will serve you well.
That one has seen some hard work indeed.
Are those big casting voids or ???. What else could cause those craters?

 

[NBraun]

I think the void by the jaw was inflicted after manufacture at some point in it's life. But I believe the rest are just casting voids. I could be wrong, but It appeared to have some sort of filler on it.

You can see here the they're not all that noticeable. Under the green paint was a black layer that was much harder to take off than the paint. Could have just been primer though too.

 

[Outlawmws]

The black was likely factory; was there black paint in the voids?

 

[NBraun]

The black was likely factory; was there black paint in the voids?

I believe there was. I wasn't paying super close attention! It was definitely the bottom coat though.

 

[Patrickm82]

That must of of gone through the QC department on a Friday afternoon!

 

[Midwest Shop Supply]

NB:
Athol vises are rugged. It will serve you well.
That one has seen some hard work indeed.
Are those big casting voids or ???. What else could cause those craters?

Looks like a previous owner was cutting with a torch on it as some stage.

 

[E. H.]

Hi all, I have a Craftsman vise with 3.5" jaws that I think is a 519x - the only numbers I have found are on the spindle nut and they are:
5V 7813 S. Unfortunately the spindle nut is broken - a common disease for these units I'm told. This vise came from my Dad's garage and maybe my grandfather's before that and I currently need a vise so would like to fix this. Does anyone know of a source for such a spindle nut? Thanks for any assistance you can provide, E. H.

 

[drivesitfar]

Post up a few pics and maybe we can give ideas? There is also a craftsman 5198 vise thread here in vintage section you can compare yours too if you can find it.

Also if you measure the width of the jaws (side to side) we can tell you which model you gave if you can’t see model number on end of main screw.

 

[Shiftless]

E.H.:
Yes, post a few pics so we can identify.
If it has 3 1/2 inch wide jaws it might be a 5191 which is a non swivelling model and the smallest in the series. Does it weigh about 50 pounds?
One good identifier the 3 ring pattern around the nose as seen in my post #10,246 a few days ago.

edit: changed model numbers previously posted in error

 

[Maui]

In case anybody here is looking, I have the intact swivel base for a Sawyer No. 24 bench vise made in Oswego, NY. PM me if interested.

 

[Outlawmws]

In case anybody here is looking, I have the intact swivel base for a Sawyer No. 24 bench vise made in Oswego, NY. PM me if interested.

There is a "Vise parts swap" thread for this type of post.

 

[Maui]

I thought this WAS that discussion. My mistake.

 

[E. H.]

Post up a few pics and maybe we can give ideas? There is also a craftsman 5198 vise thread here in vintage section you can compare yours too if you can find it.

Also if you measure the width of the jaws (side to side) we can tell you which model you gave if you can’t see model number on end of main screw.

Jaw width is 3.5 inches. 5198 thread sent me here. From info on that thread I think it is a 5195 or 5191. It does swivel. I am attaching some photos

 

[Outlawmws]

Jaw width is 3.5 inches. 5198 thread sent me here. From info on that thread I think it is a 5195 or 5191. It does swivel. I am attaching some photos

Swivel base is a 5195, this should be stamped on the end of the main screw bead. the screw nut you show is definitely 519X series as it has the (broken) thread lash adjuster - a common thing for those to be broken. The nut is likely unobtainium, so either use as is, or some thought for how to repair needed.

 

[Shiftless]

The 5191 is fixed base. Here is a pic of mine.

 

[Shiftless]

Here is what that nut is supposed to look like. I am currently in the middle of a refurbishment of a 5196.

 

[drivesitfar]

EH: yes you’ve got one of the cool old rock island made Craftsman 519x’s and I think the guys mentioned which number correctly. If you look on the end of the big hub on main screw there should be 519 and the last number to confirm.

I’m pretty sure your vise should work ok with that piece broken off or I’m guessing it might cost you a bit to have a machinist make you one if you’re not a machinist that can do it yourself.

Maui: I’m ok with you posting old vintage vise parts on this thread cause I’m not sure more than a few of us even know about the vise parts thread. Since this thread is about repairs and it’s where new members and old check to see how it might as well be parts too cause we all need some unobtainable one. if regular posting members want to post their spare parts on this thread to give it a little more reason for others to stop here and participate that's ok by me.

 

[colmal]

1930/40's Dawn 6" Quick Release, 48kg / 103 lb

Just an idea that may help someone else, I keep pulling the slide all the way out when using the QR, it's a pain in the **** to reset it being this heavy and when I bolt it down in my garage it's really going to annoy me.

I drilled a hole in the QR bar, reassembled with a split pin and a shock absorbing foam pad.

Works brilliantly, and more importantly I won't get annoyed with it again.
I may add a aluminium washer between the split pin and foam pad at some stage, I'll see how it go's

 

[Midwest Shop Supply]

Hey All, i'm wondering if anyone here can help me with when this Charles Parker No.87 vise might have been manufactured? I got a replacement dynamic pipe jaw from Autoparts, and i'm really pleased with how this vise functions!

 

[drivesitfar]

Midwest: most of the guys with the old catalogs watch these kinds of posts over on the big vise thread so you might post over there. I'm not a huge fan of Parker (they made great vises for about 100 years), but mainly because they are rare here and most were beat to **** that I saw. AND if I liked all the brands I'd probably be divorced and have 500 vises.

I think I recall Parker maybe took over Prentiss (another old vise company) around WWII and I think Parker was bought by another company in the mid 50's that made a lower quality version of their vises and then stopped production before 1960. glad Autopts was able to find you a good dynamic to make a decent looking old vise work correctly again.

I'm thinking you are a machinist? don't you make parts for vises for yourself and maybe other members? post up a few pics of what you are able to make if you have any or just post a list?

 

[Outlawmws]

when this Charles Parker No.87 vise might have been manufactured? I

1932 catalog:

 

[Midwest Shop Supply]

1932 catalog:

thanks!

 

[Midwest Shop Supply]

Midwest: most of the guys with the old catalogs watch these kinds of posts over on the big vise thread so you might post over there. I'm not a huge fan of Parker (they made great vises for about 100 years), but mainly because they are rare here and most were beat to **** that I saw. AND if I liked all the brands I'd probably be divorced and have 500 vises.

I think I recall Parker maybe took over Prentiss (another old vise company) around WWII and I think Parker was bought by another company in the mid 50's that made a lower quality version of their vises and then stopped production before 1960. glad Autopts was able to find you a good dynamic to make a decent looking old vise work correctly again.

I'm thinking you are a machinist? don't you make parts for vises for yourself and maybe other members? post up a few pics of what you are able to make if you have any or just post a list?

Yes I do make these parts, basically I wasn't sure the specs on the dynamic jaw because i've never seen one before. So Auotparts bailed me out on it.

I have tried, but I got banned from this site when it did it about a month ago. GJ told me not to advertise anything so I'm scared to do it again lol

 

[Midwest Shop Supply]

Midwest: most of the guys with the old catalogs watch these kinds of posts over on the big vise thread so you might post over there. I'm not a huge fan of Parker (they made great vises for about 100 years), but mainly because they are rare here and most were beat to **** that I saw. AND if I liked all the brands I'd probably be divorced and have 500 vises.

I think I recall Parker maybe took over Prentiss (another old vise company) around WWII and I think Parker was bought by another company in the mid 50's that made a lower quality version of their vises and then stopped production before 1960. glad Autopts was able to find you a good dynamic to make a decent looking old vise work correctly again.

I'm thinking you are a machinist? don't you make parts for vises for yourself and maybe other members? post up a few pics of what you are able to make if you have any or just post a list?

Would you mind sharing a link to the Big Vise Thread? I can't seem to find that

 

[drivesitfar]

Sorry to hear that because we need more machinists that like to make parts for our great old tools. I think in some of the first few posts of this thread I created an idea of which members to contact if you need parts and if I did I’ll add your name to it.

Glad to see outlaw had a catalog page for your vise. I had 3 computers crash the last couple decades that had a lot of information and catalogs on vises so instead of gathering them all now I just do my best to recall what I read and learn.

here's the link to the big vise thread that might be a good read for a year or so cause it's got more than a million posts give or take. https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/the-vises-of-garage-journal.44782/

I just added your name to post #6 of this thread mentioning that you make old vise parts. hope that is ok? in case you have time to read there are a few pages of all the vise companies we knew of at the time on a few of the early posts too along with lubricants and other things, but it hasn't been updated in a few years.

glad to have you posting on this thread and GJ!!