Recent content by matt1027

All right. I'm trying to figure out the "correct" hardware stack to use to couple the dynamic jaw to the lead screw on a vise I am working on... The hardware that was present when I got it needed to come off to refinish, and there was no way to do that non-destructively. What was there looked...

Hi experts. It seems like there is a strong preference for E-clips over snap retaining rings here. Is there a reason? It seems like they do the same job. Thanks! Matt

Hi Mark, The slop was largely lateral. Some rocking of the dynamic jaw during motion. When I disassembled, the nut had a LOT of play in the dove tail. There aren't really any "dead turns" or backlash to speak of. But this is my vague memory of what it was like before... Since I painted it this...

After restoration photos. My friend was very pleased.

Restoring a moderately rusty but otherwise pretty sound Rock Island 571 for a friend. There is a little slop in the the main nut. Any recommendations on how to steady it up? Here are the before pictures. Thanks! Matt

Thanks, Tool_Scrounge! I'll try and pop the plate off then. Located some numbers stamped into the top of the slide. Am I correct in interpreting 842 as August 1942? Thanks! Matt

Hi All, I took in a friends Rock Island 571 for clean up/paint/Shinning up. My question here is what to do about the badge. My friend has (rightly) requested that I keep the badge safe. I'm concerned about dinging it up when I go to town with the scotch brite/wire wheels. Is there a good way...

Ha! Somewhere about 15 years back I bought this birthday card, and never gave it to anyone... Found it yesterday while cleaning my closet. It is almost like I knew what I would one day become. Happy holidays, everyone! Matt

Thanks, Grouseman. I think I might just go have a look. See how well it moves. I'll let you all know how it goes... If it would be 4th in the queue for my attention, does that mean I have a vise problem? M

Hi All, My cousin, who knows that I like to make old rusty hunks of useful metal look as nice as they are useful (but don't like to spend a lot of money on them), sent me this picture from an estate sale they are brokering. I've never seen a vise this shape before (but hey, I'm new here)...

My pleasure. If I don't use my calipers every day i go into withdrawal! M

I pulled the bolt off my 4" shop king. (see photo). Head diameter is 3/4" Shoulder diameter is 15/32" (1/2" will probably work fine) Shoulder length is 3/8" Thread is 3/8-16 (3/8" UNC) Thread length is 1/2" Button head height is hard to measure, but as near as I can get, looks like 3/16. If...

Here are some after-ish pics of the American Red Seal 63N I started to restore (see #7459 – sorry not to have taken #7460). Well, I just couldn’t leave well enough alone, and in some respects I’m glad I didn’t. I left the nut in place as advised, but took off the jaws. One screw had come out...

Thanks everyone for the sage advice. There is nothing wrong with the nut so I will leave it in place. I mostly wanted better access to that cavity to make it easier to clean and paint... Clean in there is important, pretty not so much. I'll leave nut in. Also gonna leave the jaws as they are...

Working on my first vise restore in need of assistance. The vise is a American Red Seal 63N (4", swivel base). The jaws are smooth (no serrations) but relatively square to each other. I am hoping not to buy a new pair. All in all, the plan was just to disassemble completely, clean, de-rust...