The VISES of Garage Journal

[Beerhippie]

I agree with Beerhippie.
After stripping off old paint, I wash with acetone and always use primer before the finish coat. Do you guys use primer or just shoot a few coats of the finish color?

One of the reasons I use primer is to do a final inspection of the surface. With a uniform coat of primer, any flaws that I want to deal with are then more noticeable. Plus of course, adhesion is supposed to be better with primer.

When painting metal, I generally use Rustoleum without primer. I've found in the past that the paint tends to chip off at the surface of the primer, where an unprimed finish would just show a scratch.

I use sanding primers where needed.

 

[fishwatcher]

I agree with Beerhippie.
After stripping off old paint, I wash with acetone and always use primer before the finish coat. Do you guys use primer or just shoot a few coats of the finish color?

One of the reasons I use primer is to do a final inspection of the surface. With a uniform coat of primer, any flaws that I want to deal with are then more noticeable. Plus of course, adhesion is supposed to be better with primer.

With my limited experience, I’ve used Rustoleum Universal spray paint with built in primer once without any other primer and I’ve used primers with several other repaints. I think I like it with primer better. Just feels more protected. Paint sticks a little better.

When you use a primer, do you wait a few days before applying the top coats? I’ve pretty much applied the top coat within an hour of priming. Patience is tough for me. I think this is also a way to ensure better bonding between the primer and top coat. True?

 

[Outlawmws]

Now that GJ and the rest of the world has unfortunately lost Cudachick

Did I miss something? What happened to Cudachick?

 

[Beerhippie]

With my limited experience, I’ve used Rustoleum Universal spray paint with built in primer once without any other primer and I’ve used primers with several other repaints. I think I like it with primer better. Just feels more protected. Paint sticks a little better.

When you use a primer, do you wait a few days before applying the top coats? I’ve pretty much applied the top coat within an hour of priming. Patience is tough for me. I think this is also a way to ensure better bonding between the primer and top coat. True?

I do the same thing, then usually--depending on the size of what I'm painting--oven-cure the paint for an hour or so. Not only does this give me a fully cured paint job in less than a day, but it does an amazing job of smoothing the paint.



Some of my custom Colemans. Each one of those two-tone, candy-apple paint jobs took an afternoon, start to finish. The red lantern has a primer coat, the others don't.

 

[Outlawmws]

Did I miss something? What happened to Cudachick?

Damn - Leanna - Cudachick, passed away last November. Cancer got her from what I read.

RIP Leanna.

 

[Shiftless]

Damn - Leanna - Cudachick, passed away last November. Cancer got her from what I read.

RIP Leanna.

Yeah, she was a master of her craft and an artist as well. R.I.P. Leanna

 

[PghJKB]

Ditto, RIP Leanna

 

[jawstight]

I agree with Beerhippie.
After stripping off old paint, I wash with acetone and always use primer before the finish coat. Do you guys use primer or just shoot a few coats of the finish color?

One of the reasons I use primer is to do a final inspection of the surface. With a uniform coat of primer, any flaws that I want to deal with are then more noticeable. Plus of course, adhesion is supposed to be better with primer.

When painting metal, I generally use Rustoleum without primer. I've found in the past that the paint tends to chip off at the surface of the primer, where an unprimed finish would just show a scratch.

I use sanding primers where needed.

On my vises, when using Rustoleum Hammered I start and end with it. With the PPG Metallic I paint with self etching primer first, then brush on the PPG, four coats.


Rustoleum, no primer.



Primer then PPG Metallic, four coats brushed on as soon as the primer and then each coat is dry to the touch. Only time will tell how both methods will hold up to actual use.

 

[fishwatcher]

I do the same thing, then usually--depending on the size of what I'm painting--oven-cure the paint for an hour or so. Not only does this give me a fully cured paint job in less than a day, but it does an amazing job of smoothing the paint.



Some of my custom Colemans. Each one of those two-tone, candy-apple paint jobs took an afternoon, start to finish. The red lantern has a primer coat, the others don't.

When you’re baking/curing with the oven, are you using the oven in your kitchen? Or a dedicated garage oven? I read that the VHT engine paint I used, recommends baking in the oven for 1 hour at 200 degrees for full chemical resistant curing.

If there’s a risk that anything from my vise smells up the house after baking.. that’s a risk I probably shouldn’t take.

 

[Beerhippie]

^Being a bachelor has it's upsides and downsides, but I do have a dedicated toaster/convection oven for curing paint on smaller projects. My little 3" Columbian vise



required some rigging to support the parts in the little oven--and some aluminum foil to extend the oven.

The toaster oven also comes in handy for re-heating afternoon snacks. A little tang of paint just makes 'em better.

 

[Beerhippie]

PS: I wouldn't advise that you cure paint in a gas-powered oven. Not sure why, but I've heard it could have bad outcomes.

Worriers just gotta worry, I guess.

 

[Outlawmws]

I would not use the food oven to cure paint as the paint out-gasses and that has to condense somewhere. likely the inside of the oven. then, when used at higher temps its likely to out-gas again possibly into food? I have a dedicated toaster oven for shop use like Timm, and a larger electric planned for a rolling cart stored in my shed (an old remodel castoff)

Other options include out in the hot sun, maybe with a foil reflector on cardboard; heat lamps - can be a smaller desk lamps with an articulated arm - I several times have done a smaller project with a 40 watt mini work lamp. and back in HS used a big cardboard box for my "paint booth", and a clamp on heat lamp for "baking"

 

[jawstight]

When you’re baking/curing with the oven, are you using the oven in your kitchen? Or a dedicated garage oven? I read that the VHT engine paint I used, recommends baking in the oven for 1 hour at 200 degrees for full chemical resistant curing.

If there’s a risk that anything from my vise smells up the house after baking.. that’s a risk I probably shouldn’t take.

Happy wife happy life.

Those pieces look fantastic! What kind of paint, and how did you apply it?

 

[Tom Graham]

…Other options include out in the hot sun, maybe with a foil reflector on cardboard…

With the heat dome being experienced presently by so much of the U.S., it would be interesting to know whether this would actually be a practical solution to reach temperatures high enough to accomplish much.

 

[Outlawmws]

With the heat dome being experienced presently by so much of the U.S., it would be interesting to know whether this would actually be a practical solution to reach temperatures high enough to accomplish much.

Have you put your hand on the hood of a car parked in the sun? keep it there and you will get burns. You can cook eggs on it...

I've done this with a bottom roller, painted thick with silver hammertone, - notoriously slow to cure. It worked great - yes it tooks a couple of days, but it did work and cured hard. No sun or other baking? Hammertone stays soft for months...

 

[Beerhippie]

For things too big to fit my little toaster oven (I'm always looking for a larger one), I've gotten creative with a heat gun, aluminum foil and boxes.

I like to cure the paint at about 225 F.

 

[fishwatcher]

With the heat dome being experienced presently by so much of the U.S., it would be interesting to know whether this would actually be a practical solution to reach temperatures high enough to accomplish much.

Surprisingly.. in California where I live, it’s only getting to the mid 70s this week. But when things do heat up.. this vise will go in the sun for sure.

 

[Outlawmws]

Air temp here is currently 63 deg F using my temp gun the hoods of 2 of my cars are over 150F, and the AM overcast only burned off less than 2 hours ago,

I have used solar heat to get the water in my camp wash stations (SS tanks painted flat black on one side) to over 105 F on days it was only 75 tops.

Mid 70's will cure the paint...

I'l report back on the car hoods after it hits peak -forecast for 68F today - My concrete in the shade is 65F in the sin >100. hmmm, ahve to check the blacktop...

Edit Blacktop - this early, was almost 10F higher thsn the concrete next to it. in the shade under my van? 67 for both.

 

[fishwatcher]

Happy wife happy life.

Those pieces look fantastic! What kind of paint, and how did you apply it?

Yep.. and she’s not a fan of my vise vice .. so it’s best not to push it. lol.

I’m done with my refreshed C0. It’s far from perfect.. but I’m happy with it, esp given how it was when I bought it. Also.. I’m limited to basic hand tools, sand paper, files, a bench grinder and drill with wire wheels. My garage lacks more sophisticated shop machinery.

I wire wheeled the paint off, used household degreaser and acetone. For some parts, I used Rustoleum rust dissolver.

On the jaws and anvil, I used various sandpaper grits to get a nice near mirror polish. I went from 120 grit to 2000. Therr were some gouges I couldn’t get out without investing a lot more sweat and time.. so it is what it will be.

There were a few gouges and dents that I filled with epoxy putty. I primed and painted with VHT engine enamel in Titanium Silver blue. I will have to naturally cure it with sun powered heat this summer.

The last picture is a reminder of what it looked like after I broke it free from being rusted frozen.

Thanks again to the GJ’ers who provided tips and encouragement.

 

[fishwatcher]

Air temp here is currently 63 deg F using my temp gun the hoods of 2 of my cars are over 150F, and the AM overcast only burned off less than 2 hours ago,

I have used solar heat to get the water in my camp wash stations (SS tanks painted flat black on one side) to over 105 F on days it was only 75 tops.

Mid 70's will cure the paint...

I'l report back on the car hoods after it hits peak -forecast for 68F today - My concrete in the shade is 65F in the sin >100. hmmm, ahve to check the blacktop...

Edit Blacktop - this early, was almost 10F higher thsn the concrete next to it. in the shade under my van? 67 for both.

Okay, this is encouraging!

 

[Shiftless]

I bet if someone built an open topped box from inch and a half styrofoam insulation board, painted the inside flat black, lowered in their freshly painted vise parts and topped it off with a used window sash, they would see temps of at least 200 degrees F. after a few house in noontime sun.

 

[jawstight]

These vises mostly don't, and don't need to, look pristine when we're done rescuing them. But they're likely ready and able to give another 50 years of service with minimal care. They were certainly designed and built for a long, long life in mind.

 

[Outlawmws]

I bet if someone built an open topped box from inch and a half styrofoam insulation board, painted the inside flat black, lowered in their freshly painted vise parts and topped it off with a used window sash, they would see temps of at least 200 degrees F. after a few house in noontime sun.

Boy scouts have been doing the same with cardboard, aluminum foil, and saran wrap for many decades and baking in them.

 

[TheRealZeus]

Boy scouts have been doing the same with cardboard, aluminum foil, and saran wrap for many decades and baking in them.

Found the video from childhood. We did this in cub scouts.

 

[Shiftless]

Boy scouts have been doing the same with cardboard, aluminum foil, and saran wrap for many decades and baking in them.

Back in my HS Physics teacher days, many of my students built solar ovens for their quarter projects that were due in June. They all used cardboard boxes and Saran Wrap.
But this is Garage Journal right? Let’s go BIG.

One of my favorite Physics demonstration for the solar energy lessons was a 36 inch diameter polished aluminum parabolic reflector that on a clear day could set a length of 1x2 on fire in only a few seconds.

 

[Tom Graham]

I’m not about to use one of my telescopes (neither parabolic mirror nor lenses) for this project, but already have two parts of a Craftsman grinder stand that I’ve set on the sidewalk on the west side of my house. They started off at 96F (ambient in my garage) and I’ll take my first temperature reading soon and report back.

Edit: After 20 minutes, the parts now measure 131.6F simply sitting in direct sunlight. (Weather conditions here are partly cloudy skies and 88 degrees.)

Edit 2: Nothing more than a cardboard box lined with aluminum foil and Saran Wrap over the top and the temp quickly rose to 172.2 F. (I can easily imagine 200F + just by adding a black base and any type of insulation to the exterior.)

Unless we need much higher temps, if we have a sunny day, we may not need any tyoe of oven. Thank you all. I learned something valuable today!

 

[Beerhippie]

I bet if someone built an open topped box from inch and a half styrofoam insulation board, painted the inside flat black, lowered in their freshly painted vise parts and topped it off with a used window sash, they would see temps of at least 200 degrees F. after a few house in noontime sun.

I'll second that bet!

A solar oven is the perfect solution... when the sun shines. I've baked stuff in them at 300-400F--good enough for crispy-crust bread.

 

[fishwatcher]

These vises mostly don't, and don't need to, look pristine when we're done rescuing them. But they're likely ready and able to give another 50 years of service with minimal care. They were certainly designed and built for a long, long life in mind.

I agree with this wholeheartedly. It does make me wonder though.. how vises often get so totally ignored and abused they look like the before picture I shared or worse.

I'll second that bet!

A solar oven is the perfect solution... when the sun shines. I've baked stuff in them at 300-400F--good enough for crispy-crust bread.

While I don’t have time to fashion a home brew solar oven right at the moment .. I have employed the use of the afternoon sun thanks to everybody’s suggestions.

 

[jawstight]

Once upon a time, as kids we would leave the house on Saturday mornings and not come in til lunch. Then out again until dinner.
Working with the hands is no longer a right of passage for much of today's youth. So Dad's tools are left unused and uncared for. And with boomers now getting into their final laps some of us don't spend nearly as much time in the shop as we once did. Tools become infrequently used, and even forgotten. As well as the skills to use them.
Your C0, like the vises I have restored doesn't look brand new, but I'd wager the farm that it will serve you well for the rest of your life so long as you don't exceed it's design limitations, and provide a good home for it.

 

[Beerhippie]

I agree with this wholeheartedly. It does make me wonder though.. how vises often get so totally ignored and abused they look like the before picture I shared or worse.



While I don’t have time to fashion a home brew solar oven right at the moment .. I have employed the use of the afternoon sun thanks to everybody’s suggestions.

A cardboard box lined with aluminum foil and covered with something transparent is all it takes. If'n you want to get all fancy and all, add an oven grate supported a few inches from the bottom for better heat dispersion.

 

[Beerhippie]

Once upon a time, as kids we would leave the house on Saturday mornings and not come in til lunch. Then out again until dinner.
Working with the hands is no longer a right of passage for much of today's youth. So Dad's tools are left unused and uncared for. And with boomers now getting into their final laps some of us don't spend nearly as much time in the shop as we once did. Tools become infrequently used, and even forgotten. As well as the skills to use them.
Your C0, like the vises I have restored doesn't look brand new, but I'd wager the farm that it will serve you well for the rest of your life so long as you don't exceed it's design limitations, and provide a good home for it.

We took our lunches so we didn't have to be back until supper.

 

[Shiftless]

We took our lunches so we didn't have to be back until supper.

I grew up in the city so the signal to come home for supper was when the street lights came on.

 

[colmal]

i was already convinced by some of the nutters on here, been using my Kitchen oven for a few months now to pre heat and cure parts.

A cute little convection oven with French doors arrived this week so I can cook stuff to eat, kitchen oven is better for vices, the bigger the better and has a rangehood above it to remove the paint fumes. With a lathe in my kitchen as well and encouragement from my partner, it's a useful little workshop, LOL, she finds it amusing , and yes she has her own place, don't think she would find it amusing if she lived with me fulltime.

 

[TheRealZeus]

I grew up in the city so the signal to come home for supper was when the street lights came on.

Herds of Mongoose, rolling the streets and hills.

 

[Beerhippie]

I grew up in the city so the signal to come home for supper was when the street lights came on.

We worked in the fields from about age eight. Picking berries, peas and beans for the most part. Some farmers were great to work for, others were slave labor (they had cute tricks to avoid paying us kids--word got around and those folks had trouble getting the harvest in).

Herds of Mongoose, rolling the streets and hills.

We had Schwinn Stingray Kraters:



That was essentially the same bike I had--right down to the springer forks and softtail--and imagine my surprise to see it's still being sold today--almost 60 years later!

We'd build jumps. We'd jump the bikes. We'd make the jumps higher. Lather and repeat until a bone or bike was broken. Move across the hill about ten feet and start work on a new jump next to the now-new "widowmaker".

Broken bike frames were taken to old farmer DiMartini, who'd stick-weld 'em back together. The frames, of course, always re-broke adjacent to the weld so eventually you had a giant knot of weldment on the frame--or several.

 

[fishwatcher]

A cardboard box lined with aluminum foil and covered with something transparent is all it takes. If'n you want to get all fancy and all, add an oven grate supported a few inches from the bottom for better heat dispersion.

Good suggestions. I’m working.. so just had time to run out of the house and put it outside for now.

Once upon a time, as kids we would leave the house on Saturday mornings and not come in til lunch. Then out again until dinner.
Working with the hands is no longer a right of passage for much of today's youth. So Dad's tools are left unused and uncared for. And with boomers now getting into their final laps some of us don't spend nearly as much time in the shop as we once did. Tools become infrequently used, and even forgotten. As well as the skills to use them.
Your C0, like the vises I have restored doesn't look brand new, but I'd wager the farm that it will serve you well for the rest of your life so long as you don't exceed it's design limitations, and provide a good home for it.

That makes a lot of sense.

My C0 and a few other fun vises I have in my garage will be more than enough vise-age for my lifetime - that’s for sure.

 

[Tom Graham]

As a suburban kid, my first bike was a fabulous surprise gift from an older brother on leave from ‘Nam. It came from an auction from the local police impound lot…it had no form of shocks, but, of course, we still jumped it! And long before BMX and dirt tracks, and before reading Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, I learned how to repair a stripped handlebars/gooseneck using a temporary shim cut from a Coke can -- and then how to use a jam-nut strategy to address a stripped rear axle. Only one of us ended up with a concussion from asphalt and concrete curbs.

 

[RTM]

When you’re baking/curing with the oven, are you using the oven in your kitchen? Or a dedicated garage oven? I read that the VHT engine paint I used, recommends baking in the oven for 1 hour at 200 degrees for full chemical resistant curing.

When I need heat. I haul out a pair of 500w halogen lights, and or my 1500w Porter Cable heat gun. When it's just cool I can cope, but the damp weather, or high winds of late make it hard. I may need to try the solar oven soon, cuz our weather isn't getting any better.

 

[Outlawmws]

I desperately wanted a Sting Ray when they came out - what I got for Xmas that year was high rise handlebars and a banana seat and short sissy bar for my totally uncool 26" "big boy" bike. that later became my paper route bike. I pretty much killed that bike about 8X over...

Jumping bikes became all the rage when Evil Knievel was going to jump the snake river IIR. I had moved on to cars and racing by then, but I helped a young step brother and his friends build "jumpers". One kid was phenominal! He had this jerk up on launch and another jerk up on landing that gave him more lift and a longer jump. I held them to a 12" tall X 4' long ramp to keep them from killing them selves. As it was several bikes broke.

We were gauging how high/far; and that one kid, with that short and short ramp, would have been clearing a car parked sideways. he was good!

 

[Tom Graham]

..Jumping bikes became all the rage when Evil Knievel was going to jump the snake river…

For those that didn’t live this experience, don’t waste your time looking for a YouTube on the Snake River disappointment /fiasco…but his many jumps before that did inspire a generation of us and set the bar high for all the X-Games and other motocross stunts and theatrics that many of us love watching still.