Ratchet for a vise handle on my Wilton C1

Mohawk Dave · Apr 16, 2018

I don't like vise handles.

Bandsaw
Extra Gearwrench 1/2" 29mm deep impact socket
Scotch DP420 epoxy
Cut off wheel on rotary tool
Polished when done (no longer black oxide)

Pretty self explanatory with pictures.

The Scotch DP420 has been tested to something like 1.5" adhered section holding 10,000 lbs static. I have been using this stuff a lot and it kicks ***.

Sorry about sideways pics...it's something with the Android going wonky...

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Mohawk Dave · Apr 16, 2018

More pics.

flushcut · Apr 17, 2018

The guys in the vise thread are going to poop themselves. Nice I hope it works well for you.

nutjob · Apr 17, 2018

How much for the old handle and the 2 rubber bumpers?

Kevin

matt_i · Apr 17, 2018

I am mildly confused. Is there the shell of a socket (or other tube) as the finishing chromed piece with the markings on it?

I followed cutting off the square drive and also the cross-hole from the original pressure screw.

I think I would have welded the square drive to the pressure screw and then put on the chrome tube with epoxy (if I'm understanding this all correctly).

If you had an impact driver with a 1/2" socket adapter you could have powered rapid traverse on the vise

Mohawk Dave · Apr 17, 2018

Nutjob, keeping those parts. Sorry.

Matt, I just polished the end of the lead screw that has the socket part epoxied to it. The part that shows CRMO 29 is the impact socket. ..it's just no longer black oxide.

I can use any 1/2 drive tool on it. Ratchet, t handle, battery tools, etc

Automag88 · Apr 18, 2018

That's pretty neat! Make sure to fill us in on it in 6 months or so to let us know how it's holding up

Maui · Apr 18, 2018

Hmm...I'd probably do this a little differently. Cut one of the balls on the end of the handle off to remove the handle from the lead screw. Make an adapter on a lathe to slide over the nose of the lead screw and pin it in place through the hole where the handle used to be. If you decided you wanted to put the handle back in place later on (if you wanted to sell the vise for example) remove the adapter and slide the handle back in place. Thread the end of the handle and screw the ball end back on it.

Maui

pilotmotor · Apr 18, 2018

i bet youll get awfully tired of having to flip the reversing lever back and forth to make adjustments. That's why most good ratcheting screwdrivers have a center lock position. Now if you made a counter weight to balance out the ratchet handle and put some of that DP420 inside the ratchet head you would be on to something!!

Mohawk Dave · Apr 18, 2018

Maui said:
Hmm...I'd probably do this a little differently. Cut one of the balls on the end of the handle off to remove the handle from the lead screw. Make an adapter on a lathe to slide over the nose of the lead screw and pin it in place through the hole where the handle used to be. If you decided you wanted to put the handle back in place later on (if you wanted to sell the vise for example) remove the adapter and slide the handle back in place. Thread the end of the handle and screw the ball end back on it.

Maui

Maui, I've actually done that before. However, it adds too much length to the front of the lead screw and I end up hitting it when walking by or whatever.

I gave good pause to cutting this lead screw, but I figured I will always keep this vise, can't take it with me when I leave, so I did what I wanted. :beer:

Now, my 450SJ from DOD, that will not get cut up. Maybe I'll see if a regular 450 screw fits and cannibalize that...

454ragtop · Apr 18, 2018

Strange, I don't ever remember using a vise and saying to myself "I wish this vise had a ratcheting handle". Always thought a handle with a yoke that could flip side to side instead of a sliding bar would be cool.

Trey T · Apr 18, 2018

This is quite an interesting mod. I'm not sure if I should high-five you or back-hand you.

davethorik · Apr 18, 2018

I love it, can hear the Wilton fanboys crying themselves to sleep!! Also a good idea from a practicality standpoint!

Bottlecapdigger · Apr 18, 2018

Great idea, the regular vise handles are often in the way. I might do this to one of my secondary vices. BCD

crankshaftdan II · Apr 18, 2018

Mohawk Dave said:
More pics.

Nice Wilton, quality vise, Nice Snap-on Ratchet or J.H. Williams rat--Chrome Vanadium socket? Must have been a Cost consideration at the last Moment?? :lol_hitti

Mohawk Dave · Apr 18, 2018

crankshaftdan II said:
Nice Wilton, quality vise, Nice Snap-on Ratchet or J.H. Williams rat--Chrome Vanadium socket? Must have been a Cost consideration at the last Moment??

lol..I know, I know. All the other extra sockets in the box were either wrong size or beat to snot. An old Proto or Williams would have been nice. But, alas, it is a user. :thumbup:

dwasifar · Apr 18, 2018

I don't understand why you didn't just grind the vise shaft down to a hex after cutting off the end with the hole. Then you could just drive it with a socket. Epoxying the socket in place would be optional and the epoxy wouldn't have to take the shear strain.

Mohawk Dave · Apr 18, 2018

That was definitely another option. I have a dividing head and mill. I choose not to do that as I didn't want a socket to be detachable or fall off in use.

200, 300, or even 400 lbs of force is nothing for the epoxy. Even in torsional... I haven't ran numbers but I dare say the epoxy is stronger than the Acme screw, nut, and vise itself.

Edit: thinking about the hex more. If the hex were cut all the way toward the collar, then epoxy a shortened socket on that, the length would be similar or shorter than what I have now...Maybe I'll do that on the next one.

loranger · Apr 18, 2018

Nice job. I think its awesome!

Fcvapor05 · Apr 18, 2018

I have a Kurt vise setup up for the same purpose. I just took a 1/2" drive square socket, drilled the wall for a 3/16" cup point set screw, and tightened 'er down. Works awesome.

Fretters · Apr 19, 2018

454ragtop said:
Strange, I don't ever remember using a vise and saying to myself "I wish this vise had a ratcheting handle". Always thought a handle with a yoke that could flip side to side instead of a sliding bar would be cool.

That's they type of design I went for with one of my Swindens. The handle now consists of a D shackle. Short, flips over, and you can pass a rod through it if you need a bit more grunt on tightening, though I can't see that being necessary much, if at all.

RG Rude · Apr 21, 2018

loranger said:
Nice job. I think its awesome!

I think so too. Wish I had a band saw. I need to cozy up to one of the local shops and get someone to make the required two cuts for a few Shekels.

Fialaja · Apr 23, 2018

I did something similar with a socket and sliding t bar after my bro in law bent my craftsman bench vise...

Mohawk Dave · Apr 25, 2018

Little update : I've been using this a lot.

1. I was holding two separate things that needed to be fairly parallel / level w/ each other. I was able to position them using both hands and move the ratchet handle with my knee, it swings back, and snug with knee. Very convenient.

2. A ratchet with a very large selector would be nice for when wearing heavy gloves (kind of like lineman switch size, but the style I have on the Snap on)

Anyways, I really like this set up. YMMV.

Ratchet for a vise handle on my Wilton C1

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