problem wilton 400s!

[jskeen]

Ok, I've got a problem that I can't find an answer to using the search tool, so I thought I'd toss it in here and see if it floated.

I requested my dad to activate the geezer tool acquisition network a while back and find me a decent bench vise, since the 7 inch leg vise was kinda in an awkward location back by the forge, and the little wilton tradesman I had inherited from my granddad would not stand up to the kind of banging I needed to do. There ensued much grumbling and grunting, and muttered threats of sending me chiropractors bills, but eventually he duly produced the pictured 6-80 model 4 inch bullet. Great, no cracks, reasonably well treated, and all that, but there was a bit of a problem with the lead screw and collar. No matter how clean and lubricated I got it, and how carefully I tried to dress the bottom of the retainer ring socket, as soon as I tightened the screws down, the lead screw bound up and refused to turn. After much wailing and gnashing of teeth I finally just snugged the screws up enough that the collar was snug and the screw turned with a tolerable level of drag. Not the correct solution, but it worked for the time being. After a couple of years took down the forge, rearanged the shop and eliminated the countertop with the 12 inch square hole that the baseplate for the vise, the grinder/buffer and a couple of other assorted tools swapped in and out of. So, it sat on a shelf under the radial arm saw and (without my knowledge) grew a moderate coat of surface rust. Argh.

So, now I've reconfigured the shop again to accommodate my "new" 1954 dewalt radial arm saw, and decided to inlet a home for the vise again. But, I thought I'd see about fixing that annoying bind in the lead screw collar.

So....... After looking at all the 400s's I could find online (most of which were here, oddly enough) I decided that something fishy was going on with the retaining ring on mine. (sorry for the crappy pics, but the wife has the good camera again)

Anybody recognize the configuration of this one, and have suggestions on how to either fix it, or replace it with the correct hardware?

Thanks
James

 

[Davefr]

I requested my dad to activate the geezer tool acquisition network a while back and find me a decent bench vise, since the 7 inch leg vise was kinda in an awkward location back by the forge, and the little wilton tradesman I had inherited from my granddad would not stand up to the kind of banging I needed to do.

Wilton machinist vises are precision instruments. There not for "banging" on!!

Take it apart and post the images. Most binding problems are the result of decades of **** inside the lead screw or cylinder.

 

[spongerich]

That collar definitely looks like it's something that someone fabricated.

Wilton/Jet has replacements for 10 bucks.

https://parts.maam.waltermeier.com/Parts.aspx?part=2904010

 

[autopts]

If the vise travels in and out ok, I would replace the collar. That collar doesn't look OE. Very nice 400S underneath that crud!

 

[jskeen]

I went ahead and pulled the screw and collar, and it's fairly pristine in there, but from the back side, that collar is definitely not according to hoyle. I would rather buy one from somebody from a busted vise or old stock than a new off the shelf replacement. Not necessarily because it might be cheaper, I'd just rather buy from an individual than a company, and prefer somewhat closer to the correct vintage. I guess I'll post that in the wanted to buy/trade forum.

I just hope whoever southern engineered that collar made it to fit the casting, and not the other way around.

 

[spongerich]

If you have a metal cutting bandsaw or a dremel, you might be able to make that collar work with a little bit of tweaking... Grind the opening just a little larger and cut the slot wider so it slips down onto the lead screw.

 

[jskeen]

Re: problem wilton 400s! (Refurb update)

UPDATE: I'm just about as finished as I'm gonna get on this little project, so I thought I'd post some pics of the relatively renovated item.

After a nice overnight soak in the electrolysis tank at "250A" (yea, right) on the battery charger to get rid of the rust and several layers of old paint, a little wire brushing and a little paint, it's looking a bit better than the earlier pics. I ended up having to brute force that collar out of the groove, bending it all to heck in the process. After a bit of pounding (on my real anvil, not a vice) I took a cut off wheel to it and reshaped it closer to the correct 60% fit, then a little hand work with a file, and it dropped down into the groove almost like the original. Even then, if I just tightened the screws down to pull it all the way down into the recess, it wanted to bind a little. So, I followed a bit of advise from a PM DWise sent me and added a star washer onto the back of each screw between the casting and the collar, and Ta Dah... One finger, all the way out, and all the way back in. Thanks for the clue, ****!

A small drill bit cleaned out the allen sockets of the cap screws holding the jaws on so the backs and bottoms could be wirebrushed clean, along with the support shelves and inner faces, and then a quick grind on the sides and top faces that took out most of the grooves and dings, a little touch of nickel antiseize on the jaw backs, along with the threads and keyway, and it was ready to mask off and paint. I decided to leave the lock nuts and handles, along with the main screw and handle in the white rather than try to paint them silver or anything. They are all a little battered and dinged up, but quite functional, with just a coat of linseed oil to ward off the rust monster.

I'm probably going to leave it on the cast iron stand, butthe mdf mounting plate is very temporary, till I can convince my neighbor up the street to weld me on a steel deck at least 1/2 in thick, and possibly an old truck tire to the bottom to raise it a bit and make it a little less top heavy.

All in all I gotta consider the original $20 well spent. Let me know what you guys think.

 

[twincam00]

what color rustoleum is that?

 

[jskeen]

I was looking for Verde green hammertone, but couldn't find it anywhere. I believe that one is called vivid green, but I might be wrong. something like that though.

 

[BuckHenry]

I think you did an excellent job, and will get years of service out of that vise.