DavidB
Well-known member
Nightshift, your restos turned out great! Those jaws look nice too. Can you post another picture showing the entire pedestal?
This is timely, not helpful, but timely. I bought 2 Record vices recently; a No. 3 and a No. 8. Both work well but the handles are rusty and 1 is bent. I took the No. 8 (bent handle) into 2 machine shops today. I asked if they could machine a new handle for me. Coincidently both shops had several Record vices so I figured they would at least show some interest. There was none. Both suggested I straighten the handle. One suggested a press and the other suggested a heavy hammer. Between us we felt that the knobs were pressed on. Neither felt it was worth making new handles. To them they were vices that they figured I would just be beating on. Both of these shops were quite good with a variety of machinery that appeared to be in good shape and well maintained. I guess they didn't have much time for what they felt were amateurs.Mjozefow, I just picked up a D45 Columbian in nice shape, but the handle is bent. I've searched for the answer to what seems a simple question, but can't find it: How do you remove the handle? Are the ball ends treaded on?
Thanks for the help, and all of the great info you and others have posted!
dho
Does anyone know how to disassemble the movable rear jaw on a Parker?
That's a good question. I'm not convinced yet that they are pressed on but it seems reasonable and expanding them with heat to take them off would probably work. I think if I can get standard rod and either weld, press or screw on new knobs I can dupliate the look and it should work well. I don't have a lathe so I'll probably have to farm this out. The 2 shops I mentioned above basically felt it wasn't worth doing. Neither would even tell me how they would do it or give me a price quote.Thanks, PC06. If they're pressed on, how do you get them off? Heat?
dho
That's a good question. I'm not convinced yet that they are pressed on but it seems reasonable and expanding them with heat to take them off would probably work.

Bill, now that I've seen pics it looks like if you get that pin out that goes crossways through the vise, the rear jaw should just come straight up. I bet it is almost exactly like this one: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=68478. I'm really curious now to see if you can get it. Good luck!
I agree, that's an important safety issue.
I'm restoring the vices and the handles on both are rust pitted and one is bent. Both vices work well and it's hard to believe the previous owners let the handles get so bad. My guess is that they sat unused in damp conditions. Kole,
Here are 2 photos with the parts labeled. Both photos have the body of the vise on it's side. The "pin through body" in the second photo (with the round head) is the one I think holds the rotating jaw in. I'm thinking of heating the vise in the oven and driving or pressing the pin out. What do you think?
Bill
I've read that a lot of people have had success with a 1:1 ATF/acetone mixture when trying to free up seized parts. I've never tried it, but I think this would be a great time to. Once you drive the pin out, try rotating the rear jaw so that it looks like it does in the two labeled pictures. Then you could use the corners that stick out to gently tap it upwards.
Kole,
Do you think the jaw needs to be in the non rotated position to press out the pin?
Bill
"Stamped Steel Slide" Vises:
I'll show my method for re-crimping when I actually do it tomorrow.![]()
I just acquired a parker 63 1/2. Its a beautiful little 3 1/2" vice, small, but i am primarily a goldsmith and my shop is in my living room so it suites my needs well. Everything seems to be in good shape, but it seems like the retaining ring on the lead screw is welded on. Is this common or am i just seeing something wrong? Thanks for your input!
Just cleaned up this abused Columbian (504-M2) bench vise. Could barely get the slide out and had to grind a little on it to get it to work smoothly. Apparently a former owner did some pounding on it instead of using the hammer surface. It didn't come with a swivel base and was wondering if it would be possible to find one. I can still use it regardless but the swivel would be handy.
So this vise never came with a swivel base? Can anyone else confirm this?Just my opinion, but a machinist vise shouldn't have a swivel. Every heavy shop I've ever been in had solid mounted vises.
I hope that's not mounted on the table crooked like that. Looks like you can't close it all the way without banging the handle into the table.
Conc: Columbian (504-M2) bench vise
So this vise never came with a swivel base? Can anyone else confirm this?
If it has a threaded hole in the center of the base, it will take a swivel base. I have a Columbian 605 and the vise base has 3 holes so you can mount it stationary.
It didn't come with a swivel base and was wondering if it would be possible to find one