Vise Question

[Mickey81]

I bought this vise today at a moving sale. Had no idea what brand it was but it looked interesting and I got it cheap. I just started messing around with this evening trying to find a makers mark and to see if it was usable. Haven’t cleaned it or anything. As I go to turn the spindle to open the jaws all the way to take out the slide (I don’t know the proper names for every part please bare with me) it stopped opening about 2 inches out. I figured the screw was probably worn or damaged. I continued to turn the spindle and pull on the front jaw when I noticed a small piece under the slide that appeared to be moving. Anyway, I kept turning until it came out and saw “PV CO” mark on one side and “19” on the other. Turns turns out it’s a Prentiss No. 19. That small piece slides into the chamber and from what I can tell, there’s a small hole full of dirt and grease behind it where I’m guessing a small pin held it into place.

The jaws are just about 4 inches wide and I’m guessing it weighs about 50 lbs. The little knob on top isn’t budging but if it came out, the back jaw would swivel. The button on the swivel base turns, but I can’t press it down to get it to work. I’m planning on giving it a thorough cleansing but I would appreciate any suggestions as to what to do or what not to do. I was planning on taking it apart, and sticking it in a bucket of Evaporust for a day and then using a wire brush and wire wheel.

Also, how hard is it to replace that pin that holds the piece in place? Any input on anything would be appreciated. The attached photos will surely do a better job of explaining everything.

 

[RTM]

You might have better luck in the big vise repair thread, I suspect your question is already answered. Just a bit of searching. You don’t need Prentiss specific answers for 2 of 3.

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

I'm starting this thread to help me because i'm going to restore quite a few vises and I've only paid to have that done or done some basic repairs so far in my 60 years. as with all tools different manufacturers all do things a bit different and some makers even do different things on their own...

www.garagejournal.com

I am pretty sure your swivel lock pin pulls up to allow it to swivel.

if you main nut pushed out the back, yes you are missing a pin

there are lots of ways to extract the swivel jaw pin from the inside, with varying degrees of force.

 

[Mickey81]

You might have better luck in the big vise repair thread, I suspect your question is already answered. Just a bit of searching. You don’t need Prentiss specific answers for 2 of 3.

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

I'm starting this thread to help me because i'm going to restore quite a few vises and I've only paid to have that done or done some basic repairs so far in my 60 years. as with all tools different manufacturers all do things a bit different and some makers even do different things on their own...

www.garagejournal.com

I am pretty sure your swivel lock pin pulls up to allow it to swivel.

if you main nut pushed out the back, yes you are missing a pin

there are lots of ways to extract the swivel jaw pin from the inside, with varying degrees of force.

Hey thanks, I don’t know why I didn’t even think of pulling up the swivel lock pin. Now I have to go down to my basement and try it haha. And yes, the main nut screwed out the back as I turned the spindle.

 

[Mickey81]

You might have better luck in the big vise repair thread, I suspect your question is already answered. Just a bit of searching. You don’t need Prentiss specific answers for 2 of 3.

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

I'm starting this thread to help me because i'm going to restore quite a few vises and I've only paid to have that done or done some basic repairs so far in my 60 years. as with all tools different manufacturers all do things a bit different and some makers even do different things on their own...

www.garagejournal.com

I am pretty sure your swivel lock pin pulls up to allow it to swivel.

if you main nut pushed out the back, yes you are missing a pin

there are lots of ways to extract the swivel jaw pin from the inside, with varying degrees of force.

Yes, I can confirm that you’re supposed to pull it up. Tried it and moved and clicked into the next position lol

 

[Roberts210]

Nice vise. I don't know who made it, but somebody here knows all about it, and has already restored 2 or 3 of them.

 

[Joe Huld]

I bought this vise today at a moving sale. Had no idea what brand it was but it looked interesting and I got it cheap. I just started messing around with this evening trying to find a makers mark and to see if it was usable. Haven’t cleaned it or anything. As I go to turn the spindle to open the jaws all the way to take out the slide (I don’t know the proper names for every part please bare with me) it stopped opening about 2 inches out. I figured the screw was probably worn or damaged. I continued to turn the spindle and pull on the front jaw when I noticed a small piece under the slide that appeared to be moving. Anyway, I kept turning until it came out and saw “PV CO” mark on one side and “19” on the other. Turns turns out it’s a Prentiss No. 19. That small piece slides into the chamber and from what I can tell, there’s a small hole full of dirt and grease behind it where I’m guessing a small pin held it into place.

The jaws are just about 4 inches wide and I’m guessing it weighs about 50 lbs. The little knob on top isn’t budging but if it came out, the back jaw would swivel. The button on the swivel base turns, but I can’t press it down to get it to work. I’m planning on giving it a thorough cleansing but I would appreciate any suggestions as to what to do or what not to do. I was planning on taking it apart, and sticking it in a bucket of Evaporust for a day and then using a wire brush and wire wheel.

Also, how hard is it to replace that pin that holds the piece in place? Any input on anything would be appreciated. The attached photos will surely do a better job of explaining everything.

Nice Prentiss, I had to replace the pin that holds the nut once and if I recall correctly I just used a piece if drill rod of the correct diameter. The swivel jaw pins usually respond to a good soaking in penetrating oil and gentle tapping from the side all around, but hard cases might need some heat on the casting along with some wax or parrafin at the base of the pin.