Wilton Bullet Electrolysis Questions

[exmaxima1]

I searched as best I could but cannot find a definitive answer:

Does the Dust Cap on a bullet vise need to be removed in order to use electrolysis?

This will be the first time I tried electrolysis, and my first candidate (victim?) is a Wilton Pat Pend No.4, roughly 1941. It appears all original except for missing one hold down clamp, and came apart very easily. Except for the dust cap.

Do I risk denting the cap trying to remove it, or can it stay there?

 

[drivesitfar]

EX: I'm curious if anybody knows the answer or has tried Electrolysis with the dust cap on. I don't see why it would matter other than maybe not get quite as good of a cleaning. it might actually help because it is probably rust that is holding the dust cover in place.

if Balane doesn't see this thread you might PM him because he has restored more Wiltons than most of us combined. maybe a little PB blaster or Kroil soak for a few days might loosen it up and you might be able to get the dust cover off for a better cleaning.

can you post a few pictures of where you are at in the process of taking your Wilton apart so the Wilton experts can chime in? you might also ask this question over on the Vise Repair 101 thread I started with pictures to get an answer from the guys and gals following that thread.

the only issue i can see is that maybe without taking the dust cover off you might not be able to get the vise nut out for a good de greasing so the electrolysis can just get at any rust.

now if the dust cover is an aluminum freeze plug and not the original steel one then i wouldn't put it in the tank because aluminum and stainless and probably a few other metals are not a good thing to do electrolysis on.

here's a great thread on Electrolysis in case you haven't already read it. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=237752&highlight=electrolysis

good luck

 

[exmaxima1]

if Balane doesn't see this thread you might PM him because he has restored more Wiltons than most of us combined. maybe a little PB blaster or Kroil soak for a few days might loosen it up and you might be able to get the dust cover off for a better cleaning.

can you post a few pictures of where you are at in the process of taking your Wilton apart so the Wilton experts can chime in?

I think I've seen Balane's Wilton on eBay, but under a different seller name. It was a green color and I'm going to emulate that.

I did read that I can push the dust cap out using the leadscrew, but I'm curious if others do it that way. I suppose I will slide in a piece of plastic first to minimize chances of denting. Ideas???

 

[drivesitfar]

Ex: i have used a smallish wood dowel or i have an aluminum piece of round scrap that is on my bench to push out a dust cover as a couple more options for you.

as you mentioned if it's stubborn they are not meant for a big hit so if it doesn't come out with a few taps you might spray some PB Blaster or Kroil on it and let it sit for 24 or 48 hours and try again.

another option you have is to remove the pin or two pins that are holding the vise nut in place and just take off that back piece with the dust cover in place. it would be hard to take the 2 pins out with the dust cover on, but if you have the single pin you should be able to punch it out the other side.

then with that back piece out you can remove the pin holding the vise nut in place inside the bullet and clean it a bit better. i'm not the Wilton expert and haven't actually done a full restore on one yet. I've paid a few pros to do them and watched, but since i own maybe 15 of them now i'm going to start doing my own soon.

check out the vise repair 101 thread about the pins which RayH just took Carla's advise and rethreaded his so the next time he has to remove the pins from the back of his bullet all he has to do is unscrew them.

I hoped i helped you a little and best of luck

 

[drivesitfar]

EX: this is why I haven't taken any of my Wilton bullets apart yet until i know the ins and outs of all the tricks and variations that those vise nut pins were and are installed. Autopts actually posted this last year and i saved it so it reminds me that it is pretty easy to damage a nice vise.

i think maybe 10% or more of the members on GJ have restored a Wilton because there are a ton of threads to read about them. it was one reason i started the Vise Repair 101 thread so the information would be in one thread instead of hours of searching for a simple answer.

this WON'T happen your vise. ok?

 

[exmaxima1]

EX: this is why I haven't taken any of my Wilton bullets apart yet until i know the ins and outs of all the tricks and variations that those vise nut pins were and are installed. Autopts actually posted this last year and i saved it so it reminds me that it is pretty easy to damage a nice vise.
this WON'T happen your vise. ok?

That picture just convinced me to leave the cap alone!

I'll try the electrolysis first and see if I need to go further.

Thanks for all you help.

 

[gilbo]

Yea I popped the dust cap off when I did the Wilton resto,just take your time and use a wooden dowel, I also scored the edge of it with a razor blade, to help free it up

I would also spray some pb blaster to loosen it up

Yea electrolysis will clean that baby right up