VISE REPAIR 101 all vise repairs, lubricants, sources for parts and the tricks to fix

[Fretters]

Size isn't everything DIF.

 

[ALLFAST]

Howdy Drives ! Well, I have people I work with and they make yearly trips to.Seattle,.and.the Sound, so transportation of said beast wouldn't be impossible. What are your thoughts for prospects ? Im willing to go bigger, and.I love the Rocky 542 BX model as well.

Thanks, Shawn

 

[live311]

Finally getting around to posting pictures of that Wilton 950 that gave me some trouble. When I got it the retaining bolts were broken and it had no jaws. I got some brass machine screws locally and some new jaws off eBay and she came out great! One of the pictures is with the 935 I bought off Joe Striper a while back. I think they look great together.

 

[Maui]

Shawn, if you can find a Reed 1C it is built like a tank and is similar in design to the Columbian you mentioned.

 

[Hiatt1991]

Finally getting around to posting pictures of that Wilton 950 that gave me some trouble. When I got it the retaining bolts were broken and it had no jaws. I got some brass machine screws locally and some new jaws off eBay and she came out great! One of the pictures is with the 935 I bought off Joe Striper a while back. I think they look great together.

Awesome job! That vise came out beautiful!

 

[drivesitfar]

LIVE: nicely done on your Wilton restoration. speaking of Joe is he just selling off a few of his extra vises or maybe all of them cause we haven't heard from him in a while?

AF: email me if you can't find a combo vise in your area and i'm sure i have something in your budget, but I usually have to pay to much for quality vises to sell them at YOU **** or GARAGE SALE prices. i'm open to trades sometimes so that might be another option.

Maui: agreed i think the REED 1C or the Wilton C0 might be the best 3.5 inch combo vises available, but usually spendy or non existent. i tend to like the older combos more cause they have that LOOK like the Reed 31 with this huge wing nut.

ALL: anybody else spiffing up a vise or recently did and want to share pictures and their methods please do.

cheers

 

[ALLFAST]

Drives: Thanks for the scoop. I shall be in touch

Maui: Thanks for the hint on that.

 

[drivesitfar]

AF: thanks for the email and maybe i'll find something that you can't in your area, but i bet if you really want one of these big (or little) pipe jaw vises you'll own one before too long.

Fretters: are we still talking about vises or VICES or maybe something else?

 

[va.grouseman]

Organ Rock Crusher, didn't know you had got your hands on a SJ 600 till I saw the post.---That makes 3 that I know of and all of them surfaced over on the West Coast.---I bought the one that Drive had, and it's one of my finest treasures.---Drive ask me in one post if I could check for a date stamp and I would love to know myself but currently my wife has a ton of (well we'll just call them things) in front mine, so it would be unwise for me to toss her stuff aside.---Just wondering if you would mind going to the trouble to check yours for a date stamp so we could put my curiosity to rest.---Thanks in advance.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

I have looked it over pretty well grouseman and so far no sign of a date stamp. I will be stripping it for paint in the next week or so and will look closely for anything that could date it. I have looked over the slide pretty well and it really isn't worn much but there's not a mark on it. I'll let you know what I find either way. Seems the original color on these was kind of a royal blue....not sure I can bring myself to paint it that color. Ed.

 

[drivesitfar]

ORC: we're pretty sure that American Scale built these Wilton 600 SJ's aren't we? that said since AS went out of business in the early 60's and there are so few of these 600 SJ's (3 to my knowledge) i wonder if they were only samples or a small run? or were the other ones made and sold beat on so bad that they ended up as scrap?

what colors do you prefer or are you liking BLO or maybe a mix of real linseed oil, beeswax, japan dryer and thinner that i'm going to try some day in the near future?

VA: i'm glad you are happy with the Wilton 600 SJ i found and shipped to you and hard to believe it's so cherished by you since you have so so many wonderful vises in your possession.

cheers

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

ORC: we're pretty sure that American Scale built these Wilton 600 SJ's aren't we? that said since AS went out of business in the early 60's and there are so few of these 600 SJ's (3 to my knowledge) i wonder if they were only samples or a small run? or were the other ones made and sold beat on so bad that they ended up as scrap?

what colors do you prefer or are you liking BLO or maybe a mix of real linseed oil, beeswax, japan dryer and thinner that i'm going to try some day in the near future?
cheers

I think the AS 79 and the Wilton 600sj are so similar that at the very least they were cast in the same foundry using minimally modified molds. I doubt many were made but I don't yet have a good theory on why so few or any were made at all. Given the dovetail issue I found I wouldn't doubt a similar failure in other vises is likely resulting in high attrition. I would like to know more.... As for the color I'm still open but I painted a 5" bullet a while back and I like the way it turned out. I do like a natural finish on many vises but not on this one, it will get paint. Ed.

 

[va.grouseman]

Appreciate that ORC.---Stands to reason if AS did cast the SJ600s, that they would be less likely to stamp a date than Wilton would.


Yep Drive, 3 gold monkeys won't move it.---It will have to be acquired at my estate sale.

 

[Shiftless]

Drives:
since you asked...

Here is my first Versa Vise project.
After a 2400 mile journey in a cardboard box from CRSINMICH it is getting a refresh before gifting it to my son-in-law. Disassmbly was not obvious (???) so I decided to use brush on rather than rattle can Rustoleum (Regal Red)
I used a Scotchbrite wheel on a 3/8 inch drill motor to polish the handle, nose, main nut, anvil surface, and the bare portions of the slide. The edges of the jaws were pretty dinged up so they got a few seconds on the stationary belt sander.

 

[Jason1972]

Been reading posts on the forums past few months discussing vise restorations, decided to register to garagejournal today. Lots of info on here. Not easy finding info on old vises online.

 

[CRSINMICH]

Drives:
since you asked...

Here is my first Versa Vise project.
After a 2400 mile journey in a cardboard box from CRSINMICH it is getting a refresh before gifting it to my son-in-law. Disassmbly was not obvious (???) so I decided to use brush on rather than rattle can Rustoleum (Regal Red)
I used a Scotchbrite wheel on a 3/8 inch drill motor to polish the handle, nose, main nut, anvil surface, and the bare portions of the slide. The edges of the jaws were pretty dinged up so they got a few seconds on the stationary belt sander.

Looking good Shift! Glad you could make use of it. I had too many of those things laying around and kept tripping on them. SIL should enjoy using it.

 

[Jason1972]

My first vise refurb. Wilton 835.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Jason1972:
Very nice restoration! I notice new jaws and a new swivel base lock handle. Please give details on your repair.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Mark:

even though the hole in the slide doesn't effect the use if it hasn't mushroomed the slide what in the hell was the user doing or thinking when he did that?

please take a few pictures if you have time and post up how you fix that which really isn't a common issue, but i'm sure there are dimples on a lot of old vises that could be cleaned up with your methods.

Drives & All:

My attentions had to be focused in places other than my vise restorations for the past few weeks. I was able to get back to working on my 1938 Reed 204 yesterday. Concerning the hole in the slide, here's how I repaired it:

1st. Picture; The slide with a hole in the end and a couple of drill bit bites near the jaw.

2nd. Picture; Since the hole in the end of the slide was drilled through, I plugged it with a small screw. This saves time and solder/braze.

3rd. Picture; Using an oxygen/acetylene torch, I filled the holes with flux core silver solder after cleaning. Silver solder is my choice because I have a couple of large rolls of it. Flux coated brazing rods or even JB Weld will work fine. This repair is just for aesthetics.

4th. Picture; The excess solder is sanded down. Next will be more polishing with the ScotchBrite.

On a side safety note: When sanding metal, be sure to have a fan behind you to blow the dust away and wear a dust mask. Even for small jobs like this one.

Another safety note: When doing hot work (welding, brazing, etc) write the word HOT on the workpiece with chalk or soap stone. This hopefully, will prevent non-shop savvy people from touching it.

 

[drivesitfar]

ORC: i'm sure whatever color you pick for your Wilton 600 SJ will be fine and as you know if you don't like it you can always repaint it a different color later. i love a naked vise, but i also appreciate a good color and paint job too.

VA: I hope that estate sale doesn't happen until i'm long gone cause you have quite a collection. speaking of sale do your boys have the vice for vises bug or does your bride or is it your love and they just support what you enjoy?

Shift: so i have to ask you to post up more details if you actually took your versa vise apart or did you? i heard and have maybe seen a few, but i always like more pictures and member's versions of the challenges and how they spiffed up their vises if you have some time please do. you've probably seen this video, but it sold me on these cool vises once i saw it so here it is for the other members to watch and see if they agree it's a COOL and USEFUL VISE.

CRS: I hear you about tripping over some cool vises and i'm GETTING ORGANIZED to get mine up off the floor and onto shelves and in cabinets now. looks like Shift will benefit from your early estate sale find cause i know if he has a spot on his bench for that versa vise he'll love it.

Jason: welcome to the forum first of all and happy you might have found some of our vise information useful. i agree with Mark if you might want to share how you made the jaws or did you buy them and where?
nice job restoring your wilton and do you have any before pictures to post too?

Mark: nice pictures and tips on how to fix an abused old REED. just curious how long does it take for the slide to cool down after you heat it up to do the welding/brazing? thanks for posting the SAFETY TIPS too and i'm hoping it will save some members and readers from getting hurt or cutting their lives short breathing in all that dust and or fumes.

ALL: this is one of my favorite threads on GJ even though i haven't made much time to spiff up, repair or fix many of my vises yet i still enjoy reading about how all of you do and thanks for posting up yours. anybody else doing some general cleaning, repairs or have questions feel free to post them up and we'll try to help.

Hopefully after reading a lot of these posts members and readers will learn that a vise isn't a press or an anvil and not an ALL IN ONE TOOL so use it as it's designed and get some of the other tools you need for those jobs or maybe borrow a friend's until you can afford to.

 

[Shiftless]

Jason:
Welcome to the group.
Nice job on the bullet. Did you fabricate the new jaws yourself?
Details please

Drives:
I did not take that VV apart. There seems to be a lock preventing separation of the dynamic and I didn't want to fool with it so I used brush on paint. The rustoleum levels out pretty well under the conditions in my garage so it came out well enough for a user. I used an artist's natural bristle paint brush.
No nickel plating or powder coating for this one.

 

[Jason1972]

Mark, I picked that vise up in Indianapolis with no jaws on it but 3 broke screws where the jaws were supposed to be, all broken off flush of course. I didn’t replace any lockdown handle however, I just straightened em out in my other vise and buffed em up.. the dust cover had been beaten into to back of the vise pretty good too. I broke the thing completely down and visited a buddy for a total bead blasting, then I pounded the dust cover back into shape, worked on removing the broke jaw screws for a few days, lol, straightened the handles out best I could, then buffed what needed it, hit a few spots with the sander and painted everything, lubed it, and re-assembled it. I did have to place a part of the swivel mechanism underneath that holds the dowel pin. It was made of cast iron and had been dropped or thrower and had a huge part missing from it, including the dowel pin. That piece and new jaws cost me $99.....so the whole thing ran me $180 which wasn’t terribly cheap but I brought an old vise back and I’m happy with the project, and I enjoyed it, so it’s all good.

 

[drivesitfar]

Shift: yep i think JAKE is the only person i know that has taken the Vise Versa vise apart and i'd have to do a long search to try to find his posts or maybe PM'ing him might be easier. that said you did a great job and are you going to find a spot to mount it on a bench and use it?

i bet you've seen the video before cause it sure sold me?

Jason: sounds like you bought an abused one and brought it back to life. WELL DONE!!

 

[Jason1972]

Btw I got the jaws on eBay from autopts I believe, well made. I do have a few fellas I could’ve probably had make me some new ones but it was pretty easy to research, find, and buy them. I’ve got a couple vises I’m working on now and I just got off the phone with a friend bout fabricating me a few pieces for them. Picked up a Record #4 and the lockdowns were seized, once I got em free and got it apart I noticed both cast iron lockdown nuts were broke. Also have a reed 113 1/2 that is missing a knob on the handle. It’s ready to go back together once I get the handle squared away. I have noticed acquiring parts for these old vises isn’t exactly a walk in the park.

 

[Jason1972]

Here’s a few others I tore down and re-did. A Columbian and a Dunlap. Picked em up cheap as a pair on eBay just to tinker on. My brother already claimed the Dunlap and took it home. Both are small and I spent a day restoring the pair, no parts to hunt down on them.

 

[va.grouseman]

Originally posted by Drivesitfar.


VA: I hope that estate sale doesn't happen until i'm long gone cause you have quite a collection. speaking of sale do your boys have the vice for vises bug or does your bride or is it your love and they just support what you enjoy?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Drive, it's the latter, but since they have seen what vises are going for these days, I'm getting a lot more respect for my addiction than I used to.---The wife doesn't even hit me with the usual ("just how many vises does one man need anyway"), anymore.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Jason1972:
Considering what kind of a vise that you would get for 180$ at the big box store, you're still money ahead. Still impressed with the lock handle. Also, your other vises look great.

Drives:
For the slide to cool down after that small repair, maybe 1/2 hour. Usually I go off and do something else for a few hours after doing hot work.

 

[chrisnazzy]

Here is my Athol 624N in primer. This is the 4th vise I've taken apart and cleaned. The first I had media blasted but on the last 3 I've done it myself at home using a 24-48 hour soak in a 50/50 solution of Simple Green followed by a lot of wire wheeling.

This Athol had a total of 4 color layers. The outer 2 were thick almost latex type paint that you could peel big pieces off. Needless to say this one made quite a mess of me and my surrounding workspace.

I've been wearing a painters style mouth and nose mask and a face shield to protect myself. I never thought of the fan before. That is a great idea that I will definitely try.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[Jason1972]

That Athol cleaned up nicely

 

[liquidobsession]

3 vises I’m restoring... inspired by this thread.

I’ve had this Colombian vise for years but haven’t been able to get info on this particular model. It was repaired by the previous owner and their weld broke a few weeks ago. Had a friend weld it up for me again in the hope I can keep using it simply because I love this vise. Making a custom aluminum sandwich plate to try and take the stress off of the weld itself. I’m still not sure how I’m going to restore it as I kind of like the patina as is... I just want it to look a little cleaner.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[drivesitfar]

LO: man how in the world did that old wood vise break there? i haven't seen one abused like that before so wondering if it was on a bench that was hit with a forklift or something dropped on it that weighed a ton?

in any case i like the patina too and suggest some form of LINSEED OIL after you clean it up maybe with SIMPLE GREEN or just soap and water might work cause doesn't look too dirty.

instead of BLO (boiled linseed oil) some of us are using or talking about using REAL LINSEED OIL with some turpentine, beeswax and a japan dryer mix to avoid some of the chemicals they put in BLO.

glad you liked the thread and best of luck with your old columbian wood vise. sorry i don't have any information on it, but i do like it's patina and design.

cheers

 

[liquidobsession]

LO: man how in the world did that old wood vise break there? i haven't seen one abused like that before so wondering if it was on a bench that was hit with a forklift or something dropped on it that weighed a ton?



in any case i like the patina too and suggest some form of LINSEED OIL after you clean it up maybe with SIMPLE GREEN or just soap and water might work cause doesn't look too dirty.



instead of BLO (boiled linseed oil) some of us are using or talking about using REAL LINSEED OIL with some turpentine, beeswax and a japan dryer mix to avoid some of the chemicals they put in BLO.



glad you liked the thread and best of luck with your old columbian wood vise. sorry i don't have any information on it, but i do like it's patina and design.



cheers

I was wondering the exact same thing when I bought it. Got it from an older woman whose husband had passed so she had no info. I use it purely for wood projects (no big stresses) so I’m not sure why it broke on me unless his weld just wasn’t good enough.

Great idea with the oil... I think I’ll try it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[liquidobsession]

Here are my other two vises. Bought both for $20 total. That gave me the confidence to do my first total restoration. (No photo of the smaller one before I removed the paint)
After removing the paint I decided to try my hand at polishing 101 just for fun. I’m about half way through polishing it. I’m thinking of keeping the red paint between the lettering for effect. I like it so much I’ll probably keep it that way just for fun. Paste wax to keep her from rusting. I’ll post a photo when I’m finished.
I’ll most likely restore the larger vise normal with paint.
Thoughts?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[drivesitfar]

LO: if you are able and have the time to spiff up the bigger craftsman like you did the smaller one i'd like to see how you do on your second effort cause i also like those shiny spiffed up vises.

i'm guessing you might not have done much to break the weld on your old wood vise cause it didn't look like that good of a weld or brazing. i wonder if you might be able to maybe put a piece of 1/8 or 1/4 inch steel plate in it and either weld it or bolt it to your vise's existing part that is broken to give it a bit more support?

good luck!!

 

[live311]

LO: I'm hoping to do the same with my Craftsman vise. If it comes out well I'll try a couple coats of clear Shellac and see how it holds up.

On another note, what do some of you do with your restored but unused vises? I have a Columbian D44 with no swivel base that looks nice but isn't really usable without the base, and it's too heavy to display on a shelf in the living room. Any ideas? Maybe I could turn it into a planter or something? It's too big to be a doorstop and would probably be a tripping hazard for my 3 year old.

 

[drivesitfar]

LIVE: that columbian is probably too big to make into bookends like a few members do with their smaller open screw vises. since yours could probably be mounted and used by someone that needs an old USA made vise you can maybe sell it and use the funds to pay for some of your future finds or wait until you find a broken columbian with a good swivel to put the two vises together since they are fairly common.

good luck on the shiny vise and if you do it please post up a few pictures and maybe the process and some before, after and during pics.

cheers

 

[CRSINMICH]

liquidobsession: My guess as to how that 5D got broken is that when it was originally mounted there were only screws going up through the bottom plate and didn't have any going into the face of the bench through the rear jaw of the vise. Breaking the second time was most likely due to a poor braze.

Great job polishing that Cman! Those can really be tarted up nicely.

live: I wouldn't think shellac would be a good finish for metal. It's alcohol based and when dry it can flake off easily. The upside is that it could be easily be removed with denatured alcohol.

 

[Shiftless]

Nice job on the polishing

I concur with CRS about avoiding shellac for the same reasons.

Many of us use clear coat. Rustoleum sells it in an aerosol either gloss or satin.

 

[Shiftless]

This is the finishing touch on the versa vise I posted 2 days ago.

With the help of Boatman53 and CRSINMICH I was able to get sizing and coloration for my label guy to do a small run of Versa Vise labels. Peel and stick on glossy label stock so they aren't the original decals, but they are good enough for me. I may coat the label with some clear coat for protection... I don't know.
This project won't get into my collection but will end up in Santa's bag destined for my son-in-law who has been using (... gasp) a crappy Chinese big box store vise.

A big thanks again to CRSINMICH and also to Boatman53

 

[454ragtop]

Shift, looks great! Any chance you have an extra label you could sell me?