While not the one who originally abused it I do admit to neglecting it for a couple years and allowing it to become almost covered in pine straw, all the time amongst Brads protests of "Man I can't believe you're just letting a Wilton lay under a pine tree like this" Glad it now has a caring home and may again proudly grace someones work table.
Took a few shots of it before it left. Hopefully someone will explain why the screw shaft just screws out without opening the jaws. In other words I guess I just don't understand the workings of a vice.
That horseshoe collar on the front of the screw is supposed to be bolted to the front jaw of the vise. As the threaded rod unscrews, it moves away from the nut inside the main body's housing. That collar rides over a recess on the end of the screw, and as the screw moves out, the collar pulls the movable jaw along with it.
This vise is locked up--it looks like someone tried to force it open, which first bent that collar, and then snapped the heads off the three screws that hold the collar to the jaw.
That part is a relatively easy fix... getting the static and dynamic jaws separated is what's going to be the hard part.
I stood it up on end, and filled the seam between the two with PB Blaster last night. Came out this morning and the level had gone down a very little, so hopefully its working its way down between the halves. A little heat from a torch on the outter body to expand it, putting it in the sun, and letting the cool of night contract everything, should hopefully work the oil down into the rust.
I've got the screw out, and the swivel base off already. (which also required heat to get the lock-downs off the bolts).
I'm just glad I don't have to look at it sitting in the flower bed anymore!!
I may see about trying to remove the end cap, which would let me soak it from the back side as well. I'd rather not remove the cap if I don't have to, though.
-Brad
