Recent content by bungy42

Yes, that's true, but fixing a worthless vise gives me an opportunity to practice welding cast iron, which I don't get to do much. Then when something breaks that's more difficult to replace, I'll be able to fix it.

I picked up this little Rock Island vise today, but it's got two broken mounting flanges. I'm comfortable heating the casting and welding the flange back on that was still with it. However, I'm not so confident fabricating the rear flange from scratch. Can I weld steel to the cast iron using...

Here is the Harbor Freight version: http://www.harborfreight.com/300-lb-capacity-mobile-base-95288.html I have a couple of them. They work alright, but not great.

It's interesting to me that your casters were originally steel-on-steel. Mine were equipped with bronze bushings. Perhaps that's one thing that makes the 767 different from the 882.

I guarantee that someone can get that working again. It's not too far gone. If I were closer, I'd pick it up myself.

Got it fixed! I "borrowed" a ball and spring from a 3/8" - 1/4" adapter, placed them in the hole, and smacked it with a punch, which rounded over the outside of the hole. Thanks everybody for the help!

Sorry about the radio silence on this one. I forgot all about this project. A Canedy-Otto enthusiast saw my post on another board and offered to buy the vice. So, this is now a project on someone else's to-do list. Thanks for the feedback/help, though!

Seconded. Here's what my 784 looked like when I got it, and a second picture of the jack after the refurb.

The hole is 1/8" in diameter.

That's a great jack. I have the same one, but mine definitely needed a rebuild when I got it. It turns out that the main ram seal was split, so it wouldn't lift at all. It's all good now though! These things were definitely built to last.

I managed to drill out the hole a bit, and get the ball and spring pieces out. My current plan is to steal the ball and spring from a more recent ratchet (that I can easily get rebuilt at Sears). Unless someone else has a better source for these parts.

I've already hosed it down with PB Blaster. The ball moves just fine. It's just that the spring doesn't push the ball out. I may try the repair that jakemac suggested. We'll see.

I picked up this old 1/4" ratchet the other day, and when I got it home, I realized that the ball detent that holds on the socket is broken. Well, the ball is ok, but the spring behind it is obviously not working. So, it's not really usable as it is. I brought it to Sears, and the guy even...

I bought the similar 12-ton version, and had the same trouble with it racking under load. I kept re-squaring it and it kept racking. I finally got fed up and welded all the corners. Now it's permanently square and works great.

Here is what's on their "contact us" page: "Important notice: there will be no spare parts shipments during the month of January. You are still welcome to place orders, which will then be shipped in February."