Can anyone Fabricate a Vice Nut For Me?

[Frede162]

I have a DESMOND STEPHAN SIMPLEX 31s vise that belonged to my wife's grandfather. It has two issues....tongue is missing and the nut is broken. I used vise with the broken tongue but now the main nut has broken.

At this point I am looking for someone to fabricate the nut while I peruse the internet looking for the main body at a reasonable price. I should the nut was repaired before....looks like it was brazed at some point. I will post a photo when I get 5 posts.

Can Anyone Fabricate a Vice Nut For Me?

 

[Frede162]

 

[captain14]

Maybe post this in the fabrication thread for more views?

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=29

 

[Mgdoug3]

Can you determine the threads? I'm assuming it's Acme threads. Might be able to find a nut on McMaster-Carr.

Edit: you can go to their website and search for Acme

 

[slowtwitch73]

You would have to send the shaft to someone to figure out what thread the nut is. Don't worry about it until/if you find the rest of the vise.

Or try making your own wit this method:

https://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/acme-thread-with-evanut.50527/

 

[SweetD]

You would have to send the shaft to someone to figure out what thread the nut is. Don't worry about it until/if you find the rest of the vise.

I did just that several years ago for the same problem, cracked main nut on a rare vise I felt should be saved.

I found a young guy in central MA that is a machinist by trade and does side work as well. I sent him my lead screw complete with handle, and the cracked original nut, and he was able to machine me a new nut from cast iron. Came out awesome.

Here is his website, and if you do reach out to him, tell him Dave from RI referred you. A couple of other GJ members have used him (Eric is his name) for machining jobs and have been very happy.

https://ecmanufacturing.weebly.com/about-us.html

P.S. - if you go under the "Photos" tab on his site, you can see several pics of a replacement vise nut in progress (not mine but similar). Good luck.

 

[M635_Guy]

What kind of treatment/hardening would a nut like that require?

 

[macgee]

Thats awesome info SweetD,

Thanks for posting, pretty impressive work by E.C. Manufacturing.

Looks great, hate to ask the the price (?) but does mean the difference fixing a good vise that is only good as a boat anchor or a really good daily user in you shop.

 

[SweetD]

Thats awesome info SweetD,

Thanks for posting, pretty impressive work by E.C. Manufacturing.

Looks great, hate to ask the the price (?) but does mean the difference fixing a good vise that is only good as a boat anchor or a really good daily user in you shop.

Yeah, that's exactly right. It was the difference in saving a rare Illinois Iron & Bolt vise, or having it be useless.

I don't want to say what I paid because I'm not sure what he charges for such work currently. But I will say it was so reasonable that I rounded up with my payment to him because I didn't think it was enough. And I'm pretty cheap with most things. Great guy to deal with.

 

[Frede162]

Many thanks to all for the responses and suggestions

I did just that several years ago for the same problem, cracked main nut on a rare vise I felt should be saved.

I found a young guy in central MA that is a machinist by trade and does side work as well. I sent him my lead screw complete with handle, and the cracked original nut, and he was able to machine me a new nut from cast iron. Came out awesome.

Here is his website, and if you do reach out to him, tell him Dave from RI referred you. A couple of other GJ members have used him (Eric is his name) for machining jobs and have been very happy.

https://ecmanufacturing.weebly.com/about-us.html

P.S. - if you go under the "Photos" tab on his site, you can see several pics of a replacement vise nut in progress (not mine but similar). Good luck.

Thanks I sent Eric a message. I checked out his photos and the nut he fabricated looks very impressive. Hopefully he can make mine.

 

[SweetD]

Excellent, happy to help out. I hope it works out and please come back and post your results!

 

[Frede162]

Eric got right back to me. He seems like a good guy. Unfortunately, said he's swamped with work an unable to take it on.

 

[SweetD]

Well that' too bad. I guess you can always check back in with him if you have the patience to wait it out...and you can't find another source...good luck!

 

[Dumber than lumber]

Would that be the left nut? Or the ....

 

[slowtwitch73]

What kind of treatment/hardening would a nut like that require?

Generally none.. keep the nut soft and somewhat expendable so it doesn't toast the screw. The screw may or may not be hardened.