The VISES of Garage Journal

[Outlawmws]

I strongly doubt its a bore issue. Why? because it would probably be interfering all the way.

The cylinder is the most likely culprit and starts where it starts to bind. As mentioned, Mic it for roundness there, and check it for straight with a good straight edge or roll it on a flat surface if you can swing the jaw over the edge. it could also be a raised spot where something hit it.

 

[bagged89s10]

Shiftless, its probably not the bore that is the problem. But it is easy to measure with bore gauges. All machinists will have them and any shops that rebuild engines.



I have several Willy bullets and none have close enough tolerances to cause sticking. My guess is the keyway. Either there is **** wedged in the slot or the keyway itself is burred or needs to be ground down where it's sticking.



Like someone said earlier, paint blue dye on the insert, including the keyway and slide it in. Preferably without the screw installed. That way you can slide it back and forth easily and get some good marks on the dye where its sticking. Cheers, Bill

Yeah check the keyway. There could be something stuck between the keyway and the slide. The last Wilton I restored, I had to shim up the keyway as it was worn. When I put too thick shims, the slide wouldn't go in all the way. That could be an issue, take the keyway off and see if it slides in smoothly.

 

[mali]

I've just finished renovation of my first old vise Columbian 603

 

[Shiftless]

All good suggestions!
I already removed the key as soon as I saw a problem. It was clean underneath. I reinserted the slide without the key and it still binds just as much.
I'll get a jumbo magic marker and proceed with testing for the spot of binding. I think I could use a 2 inch drum sander on an extension to remove a thousandth or 2 from any problem areas inside the bore, right?

I have to resist the urge to strip it and pretty it up before making it function.
And another thank you to CRSINMICH for sending a needed front horseshoe washer from his parts vise. I pledge to get this vise together and operating smoothly.

 

[Fraggles]

Hello Gentlemen, thanks for the compliments on the Samsonia


These are the two other vices from a couple of weeks ago.

1) a second SEVO Swedish made drill vice (in the foreground) together with the earlier one.




The 4 jaw plates — flat on one side and rounded on the other — are attached to a swivel point. By rotating the plates into various positions you can create almost infinite grip shapes. A cam locks the jaws in position.




2) Parkinsons Ball Base vice

Before


After a quick wash with petrol reveals its original paint and fantastic condition. The vice swivels in all directions and can be locked into a given position by the cam handle on the side

 

[Outlawmws]

All good suggestions!
I already removed the key as soon as I saw a problem. It was clean underneath. I reinserted the slide without the key and it still binds just as much.
I'll get a jumbo magic marker and proceed with testing for the spot of binding. I think I could use a 2 inch drum sander on an extension to remove a thousandth or 2 from any problem areas inside the bore, right?

I have to resist the urge to strip it and pretty it up before making it function.
And another thank you to CRSINMICH for sending a needed front horseshoe washer from his parts vise. I pledge to get this vise together and operating smoothly.

if you have some "high spots" I'd do any material removal from the slide not the bore.

Crocus cloth strips, or if a dinged up high spot, a stone and oil.

 

[WallyKowalski]

Finally got the Wilton vise i ordered today. Since when was this **** made in china? "made in china to Wilton's specifications" Like heck it is! so much slop in the axis.

 

[Shiftless]

I'm not sure when they started, but I know that many Wiltons were made in China 10 years ago.
Lots of vintage made in USA precision machinists vises are available. If you prefer it to look like new, the whole process of restoration can be lots of fun.

 

[CRSINMICH]

I'm having problems with my laptop today so I'm not sure this will go through. My brother and I went to another estate sale early this morning. I got these two for a total of $22. The Red Arrow is for my Depression Era sub-collection. The Stanley is made in USA.

 

[Outlawmws]

Finally got the Wilton vise i ordered today. Since when was this **** made in china? "made in china to Wilton's specifications" Like heck it is! so much slop in the axis.

Which one? I assume not a bullet...

 

[Outlawmws]

Fraggles, you have some of the coolest vises!

 

[Outlawmws]

I'm having problems with my laptop today so I'm not sure this will go through. My brother and I went to another estate sale early this morning. I got these two for a total of $22. The Red Arrow is for my Depression Era sub-collection. The Stanley is made in USA.

CRS they came through OK.

Those vises - what sizes? I had a 3" red arrow but discovered it was broken (slide to jaw pocket busted out) so I welded it up and sold it. There is a "how I fixed this mess" thread somewhere as I used it to document the repair/process.

 

[CRSINMICH]

Outlaw: The Stanley is 4 inches and the Red Arrow is 3 1/16 (No kidding. I measured it 3 times)

 

[CRSINMICH]

Craptain: When you posted the picture of your Pennypincher I was going to tell you about my collection of inexpensive homeowner's vises. They were designed to keep costs down so as to be affordable during lean economic times. The Red Arrow I posted above was definitely on my list as are Pennypinchers.

 

[MikeF2316]

I took advantage of the not so fun winter storm that is blowing through today and cleaned up a CM drill press vise that I picked up a couple months ago. I still need to pick up some wire wheels for the Dremel as I could not get into the smaller areas with the bench grinder. But I do like using the wire wheel on the 3/4HP CM grinder as it almost impossible to bog down that big dog!

Did these vises come unfinished as I was expecting to find some color under all the crud? Would BLO be a good option as I do like the unfinished look?

Here's one that's original. I remember when this came into the house back in the early '70s. It's the vise on my drill press today.

 

[McBrownie]

Why? and why is it usually done with red?

https://cleveland.craigslist.org/tls/5366239236.html

 

[454ragtop]

Must be drill press vise time, just got back with this compound angle vise. Looks like there was a tag riveted/drive screwed on to it at one time. Has a hammered green finish, reminds me of an SK box. Looks to be very well made, anybody ID it? Probably import?
Jim
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=510579&stc=1&d=1451427372
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=510580&stc=1&d=1451427372
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=510581&stc=1&d=1451427372

 

[drivesitfar]

Mali: nicely done. did you make that jaw and do you have any more before, during pictures to post? do tell us what machine you used to cut the new jaw in if you did. thanks

Fraggles: a few sweet vises in one post. all are keepers in my book and probably will never see any like them over here. any family photos to post either here or over on the vises of 2015 because i think their might be a family photo winner to pick too?

Wally: pretty sure Wilton has had some of their vises made in China since the 90's and maybe even the 80's. any pictures to post of yours and is it brand new? what model??

454: i'm curious how you used your 20 ton press to repair your Wilton bullet. any chance you had pictures or can you give us a description of how you did it? i'm guessing the slide was bent?

 

[454ragtop]

Sorry Drives, didn't take any pics, it was kind of a let me see if this will work deal. It was definitely bent, just enough to bind up in the last 1/2" or so of travel. I took the key out and replaced it with a piece of HSS lathe cutting bit, located about the same distance from the bend as the jaw casting was from the bend. So basically the slide was supported by the jaw casting on one end and the lathe bit at the other, with the bend centered between them. I put a piece of aluminum scrap on top of the bend, between the press and the slide tube, so as to not mark up the slide tube. Scariest thing I've ever done on that press, took all 20 tons, yanking on the handle as hard as I could. started off easy, press, release, check for straight, press again with more force, check again, etc till I finally got it. Was worth it in the end, jaw slid in and out like butter, but hope I never have to do another.
Jim
On edit, pics of the finished vise here http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=244617 along with some info on Wilton pipe jaws that might be of some use to someone.

 

[jakemac]

Why? and why is it usually done with red?

https://cleveland.craigslist.org/tls/5366239236.html

Because everyone knows that Red makes it go faster.

 

[454ragtop]

Because everyone knows that Red makes it go faster.

No lie, this seller even revealed that secret trick in his ad copy http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevrolet-C...yOcAAOSwHPlWgENN&item=321959982578&rmvSB=true

 

[zkling]

Why? and why is it usually done with red?

https://cleveland.craigslist.org/tls/5366239236.html

Either that slide is broken in half or that is one hell of an optical illusion. :

 

[Uncle_Charlie]

Why? and why is it usually done with red?

https://cleveland.craigslist.org/tls/5366239236.html

At least it's not baby poop yellow like this C0 I'm working on...

 

[dutchgray]

Fraggles
Nice drill vices and the wonderful Parkinson's ball, something that eludes me, never ever seen one for sale.

 

[Outlawmws]

Why? and why is it usually done with red?

https://cleveland.craigslist.org/tls/5366239236.html

Because everyone knows that Red makes it go faster.

No lie, this seller even revealed that secret trick in his ad copy http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevrolet-C...yOcAAOSwHPlWgENN&item=321959982578&rmvSB=true

Either that slide is broken in half or that is one hell of an optical illusion. :

By CL Fool: Columbia Bench Vise Good Condition-Except Handle is Broken.

"Broken Handle" Hmmm looks more like a broken main screw... and ZK may be on to something...

They never even bothered to clean it before rattlecanning it...

 

[bluebolt]

Either that slide is broken in half or that is one hell of an optical illusion. :

Maybe that red paint is hiding the welds from the dynamic jaw being broken from the slide and repaired badly LOL!

 

[mtwaterguy]

Picked up Wilton C3 this afternoon. I'll get some pics after I get my cherry picker out to unload it.

 

[topop101]

I didn't find any markings on it. Was hoping to find something.
Top-is just the base marked, or is the vise itself?

Still came out nice and usable for a Monday night. e-tank and oil on this instead of blo.

EG both the base and the vise is marked.

 

[wrenchguy]

Because everyone knows that Red makes it go faster.

yep, plus its a Columbian 2 boot!

 

[Shiftless]

Sorry Drives, didn't take any pics, it was kind of a let me see if this will work deal. It was definitely bent, just enough to bind up in the last 1/2" or so of travel. I took the key out and replaced it with a piece of HSS lathe cutting bit, located about the same distance from the bend as the jaw casting was from the bend. So basically the slide was supported by the jaw casting on one end and the lathe bit at the other, with the bend centered between them. I put a piece of aluminum scrap on top of the bend, between the press and the slide tube, so as to not mark up the slide tube. Scariest thing I've ever done on that press, took all 20 tons, yanking on the handle as hard as I could. started off easy, press, release, check for straight, press again with more force, check again, etc till I finally got it. Was worth it in the end, jaw slid in and out like butter, but hope I never have to do another.
Jim
On edit, pics of the finished vise here http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=244617 along with some info on Wilton pipe jaws that might be of some use to someone.

454:
I hope I don't have to do that to mine!
I will keep all you guys up to date as I progress. (next week)

 

[bagged89s10]

Bagged-I'm looking at a drill press today to buy. an alien head Dunlap like your craftsman. No vari speed..it's not exactly what I'm looking for, but it's a client of mine, and he has vises as well to check out.

What are the make of your dp vises?

I'm not sure the brand. Maybe craftsman?

 

[topop101]

Shift: you're the first person i know to have that issue or if others here have had it they didn't mention it on this or the 101 thread that i can remember. I guess there always has to be a first timer for almost anything so hopefully you and maybe a few of us can help you find a solution because it's a cool vise.

ALL: anybody have a Wilton Bullet not go all the way closed if it isn't broken or welded?

Drives I sure have. The early ones especially ! It seems when opened enough that the end of the slide TILT up into the hollow jaw of the static when tightened . This would leave a score mark on the top of the slide. I have seen several that had multiple marks or gouges in the slide from this. A couple so bad they were frozen. When I see these old ones frozen I always know what it's from. It's a easy enough fix but nothing will stop it from happening if it's over extended and over tightened.

The newer bullets no longer have an opening to the hollow jaw in the static. I don't remember when they changed this practice but I think it was early.

I don't know if this is the reason shift 's vise is hanging up, it could be a metal shaving was pulled in scoring the barrel . I've seen this issue as well.

 

[va.grouseman]

Maybe that red paint is hiding the welds from the dynamic jaw being broken from the slide and repaired badly LOL!

Bondo and a rattlecan can cover a multitude of sins.---Ask me no questions, I'll tell you no lies.

 

[Outlawmws]

I'm not sure the brand. Maybe craftsman?

If Craftsman, that is still the question. IIR, both Stanley and Palmgren made them for Sears under the Craftsman brand....

 

[va.grouseman]

Here's a vise that's very common but priceless to me.---This little Columbian was my Grandfathers who died in 1979.---He was a dairy farmer, ran a small dairy, was self sufficient, in that he grew everything that the cows and his family of 10 ate.---You can imagine the machinery and tools that were always breaking and needing repair.---Here is the vise and anvil he used as far back as I can remember as a child.---I was 8, my brother was 10, and we drove that old man nuts.

Also, my Father bought the farm from all the siblings after Granddads passing, and then they were in his possession until he passed away last January 2 of this year.---So you can see how I'm bound by the history.---I even kept the original square head mounting bolts.

Vise weighs 38.9. lbs., anvil weighs 9 lbs.---Granddad came through the depression and he wasn't big on spending money.

 

[Craptain]

Craptain: When you posted the picture of your Pennypincher I was going to tell you about my collection of inexpensive homeowner's vises. They were designed to keep costs down so as to be affordable during lean economic times. The Red Arrow I posted above was definitely on my list as are Pennypinchers.

I am starting to look at these vises more and more. Firstly because they are still affordable. But they also tell a part of history that is often overlooked in favor of the big and heavy school of vises. I now have a small selection of clamp vises that are quite attractive and take up far less room in my already overcrowded shop. Then there is the just look cool factor of the "Deco" vises. Maybe I will find a "Red Arrow" sometime.

 

[scooternut]

I picked up these 3 drill press vises today with a craftsman drill press. I have way too many drill press vises and need to sell like 5.

I have a palmgren swivel base with a center vise mounting hole that could really use a DP vise. I cant seem to run across one. The one I've seen on here like this, maybe yours, was an adjustable angle piece.

 

[bagged89s10]

I have a palmgren swivel base with a center vise mounting hole that could really use a DP vise. I cant seem to run across one. The one I've seen on here like this, maybe yours, was an adjustable angle piece.

Pm me if you are looking to buy one.

 

[topop101]

Here's a vise that's very common but priceless to me.---This little Columbian was my Grandfathers who died in 1979.---He was a dairy farmer, ran a small dairy, was self sufficient, in that he grew everything that the cows and his family of 10 ate.---You can imagine the machinery and tools that were always breaking and needing repair.---Here is the vise and anvil he used as far back as I can remember as a child.---I was 8, my brother was 10, and we drove that old man nuts.

Also, my Father bought the farm from all the siblings after Granddads passing, and then they were in his possession until he passed away last January 2 of this year.---So you can see how I'm bound by the history.---I even kept the original square head mounting bolts.

Vise weighs 38.9. lbs., anvil weighs 9 lbs.---Granddad came through the depression and he wasn't big on spending money.

That's what makes the ordinary, extraordinary ! Tools are heirlooms. They keep us connected to the past. To those we cared so much about and those we will pass them on to.

 

[wrenchguy]

Here's a vise that's very common but priceless to me.---This little Columbian was my Grandfathers who died in 1979.---He was a dairy farmer, ran a small dairy, was self sufficient, in that he grew everything that the cows and his family of 10 ate.---You can imagine the machinery and tools that were always breaking and needing repair.---Here is the vise and anvil he used as far back as I can remember as a child.---I was 8, my brother was 10, and we drove that old man nuts.

Also, my Father bought the farm from all the siblings after Granddads passing, and then they were in his possession until he passed away last January 2 of this year.---So you can see how I'm bound by the history.---I even kept the original square head mounting bolts.

Vise weighs 38.9. lbs., anvil weighs 9 lbs.---Granddad came through the depression and he wasn't big on spending money.

nice, real nice.