evintho
Well-known member
Here it is. This was a pretty straightforward restoration. Thank God, 'cause it's also my first! When I picked up this 4.5" Wilton, model #9145 off of craigslist it was in pretty good shape. It opened and closed smoothly with no binding and virtually zero play. Over the years it had been beat on and the tops of the jaws were very chewed up. It was pretty crusty looking but definitely a sound starting point.
I won't go into the disassembly process. It's basic common sense. Soak everything in penetrating oil, remove the appropriate nuts and bolts, drive out pins, etc. Take photos so you remember how it goes back together!
After disassembly, I washed everything in the parts washer to remove any gunk and grime. Then, on to the bead blaster to remove all rust, paint, scale, etc. Here it is after blasting.
You can find the date of manufacture underneath the moveable jaw, stamped on the drift key.
Mine was made 11/30/56. This puppy is 53 years old!
The only real problem I had with disassembly was jaw removal. Note the condition of the jaw screws in the 3rd photo. The screwheads were smashed, chewed up and virtually unrecognizable. What to do?
First, I drenched them liberally in PB Blaster and let them soak overnight. The next day I tapped all around them with a ball peen hammer and hit 'em again with PB Blaster. Someone here on GJ recommended these, some time ago for removing screws with mutilated heads.
I was in Sears one day and saw these on sale for something like $8.99. I figured what the heck, maybe I could use them someday. Well, someday came! They made quick work of those jaw screws! Simply chuck a bit in a reversable drill, flick it to counterclockwise and SLOWLY apply power. They came right out!
A small bit of fabrication. The 2 pins on the right are what holds the rear collar and inner screw tube (sorry, I don't know the names of all the parts!) in place. I don't know if they're factory or not, but that's what came out. The one on the far right is missing the head. I found a 6 penny nail to be just the right shaft diameter and has the proper head. I just hacked off the bottom of a couple of nails and there were my collar pins!
I straighted the handles on the swivel holddown nuts and painted all these pieces with Alumablast spray paint. Grabbed some stainless steel screws for the spindle retainer ring also.
Now I'm ready for paint. I decided to go with Rustoleum Carnival Red. I decided against spray paint and went with an oil base brush on enamel. I've got plenty of paint left for the next project!
I washed everything liberally with grease and wax remover, brushed on a coat of primer and followed that with 2 coats of color. I waited 24 hours between each coat.
Before I reassembled the vise I decided to replace my workbench top. I had built this bench 15 years ago and installed an insert of hardboard as a working surface. I did this knowing I could replace it after a few years when it became too crusty. I think it's time! Note cheap chinese piece of **** vise. Looks pretty.........utterly useless!!
Half hour later.....................
On to reassembly! Very easy! First installed the collar over the screwtube. It only goes on 1 of 2 ways. Make sure the pin holes both line up.
Next, insert the collar and screwtube assemble into the rear of the vise. Again, it only fits 1 of 2 ways. Makes sure ALL the pin holes line up.
Insert the 2 pins. They can't extend past flush with the screwtube or else they'll run into the jackscrew assembly.
Now you're ready for the moveable jaw. I filled this cup with 90 weight gear oil and dunked the shaft into it. Slide the moveable jaw into the main vise body.
Now liberally grease the jackscrew with multi-purpose grease and screw it into the screwtube. Install the spindle assembly retaining ring.
Flip the vise over and insert the 2 swivel base carriage bolts. Screw on the retaining nuts on the other side.
The jaws were pretty torn up but the faces were in good condition (see
pic 3). After pricing out replacement jaws and seeing that they cost twice as much as the vise, I decided to simply flip the jaws over and file the ends somewhat flush. The jaw bottoms were pristine! Now the pristine part is on top! Thanks Rory Bellows for that tip!
I found some good Dorman allenhead screws at NAPA auto parts but the heads were just a hair too thick. I remedied this by grinding off about 1/8" off each head, allowing them to sink below the face of the jaws. I added a dab of Loctite before installing them.
Now all that was left was to drill mounting holes in my new benchtop work surface and mount the beast! Here it is in all it's splendored glory! Note, I chose to highlight the raised letters. Why not?! Ya only go around once in life!
All in all, it was fairly easy and a lot of fun! It should tide me over and take care of all my needs until I'm able to acquire this bad boy! Now that'll be a restoration!!
I won't go into the disassembly process. It's basic common sense. Soak everything in penetrating oil, remove the appropriate nuts and bolts, drive out pins, etc. Take photos so you remember how it goes back together!
After disassembly, I washed everything in the parts washer to remove any gunk and grime. Then, on to the bead blaster to remove all rust, paint, scale, etc. Here it is after blasting.
You can find the date of manufacture underneath the moveable jaw, stamped on the drift key.
Mine was made 11/30/56. This puppy is 53 years old!
The only real problem I had with disassembly was jaw removal. Note the condition of the jaw screws in the 3rd photo. The screwheads were smashed, chewed up and virtually unrecognizable. What to do?
First, I drenched them liberally in PB Blaster and let them soak overnight. The next day I tapped all around them with a ball peen hammer and hit 'em again with PB Blaster. Someone here on GJ recommended these, some time ago for removing screws with mutilated heads.
I was in Sears one day and saw these on sale for something like $8.99. I figured what the heck, maybe I could use them someday. Well, someday came! They made quick work of those jaw screws! Simply chuck a bit in a reversable drill, flick it to counterclockwise and SLOWLY apply power. They came right out!
A small bit of fabrication. The 2 pins on the right are what holds the rear collar and inner screw tube (sorry, I don't know the names of all the parts!) in place. I don't know if they're factory or not, but that's what came out. The one on the far right is missing the head. I found a 6 penny nail to be just the right shaft diameter and has the proper head. I just hacked off the bottom of a couple of nails and there were my collar pins!
I straighted the handles on the swivel holddown nuts and painted all these pieces with Alumablast spray paint. Grabbed some stainless steel screws for the spindle retainer ring also.
Now I'm ready for paint. I decided to go with Rustoleum Carnival Red. I decided against spray paint and went with an oil base brush on enamel. I've got plenty of paint left for the next project!
I washed everything liberally with grease and wax remover, brushed on a coat of primer and followed that with 2 coats of color. I waited 24 hours between each coat.
Before I reassembled the vise I decided to replace my workbench top. I had built this bench 15 years ago and installed an insert of hardboard as a working surface. I did this knowing I could replace it after a few years when it became too crusty. I think it's time! Note cheap chinese piece of **** vise. Looks pretty.........utterly useless!!
Half hour later.....................
On to reassembly! Very easy! First installed the collar over the screwtube. It only goes on 1 of 2 ways. Make sure the pin holes both line up.
Next, insert the collar and screwtube assemble into the rear of the vise. Again, it only fits 1 of 2 ways. Makes sure ALL the pin holes line up.
Insert the 2 pins. They can't extend past flush with the screwtube or else they'll run into the jackscrew assembly.
Now you're ready for the moveable jaw. I filled this cup with 90 weight gear oil and dunked the shaft into it. Slide the moveable jaw into the main vise body.
Now liberally grease the jackscrew with multi-purpose grease and screw it into the screwtube. Install the spindle assembly retaining ring.
Flip the vise over and insert the 2 swivel base carriage bolts. Screw on the retaining nuts on the other side.
The jaws were pretty torn up but the faces were in good condition (see
pic 3). After pricing out replacement jaws and seeing that they cost twice as much as the vise, I decided to simply flip the jaws over and file the ends somewhat flush. The jaw bottoms were pristine! Now the pristine part is on top! Thanks Rory Bellows for that tip!
I found some good Dorman allenhead screws at NAPA auto parts but the heads were just a hair too thick. I remedied this by grinding off about 1/8" off each head, allowing them to sink below the face of the jaws. I added a dab of Loctite before installing them.
Now all that was left was to drill mounting holes in my new benchtop work surface and mount the beast! Here it is in all it's splendored glory! Note, I chose to highlight the raised letters. Why not?! Ya only go around once in life!
All in all, it was fairly easy and a lot of fun! It should tide me over and take care of all my needs until I'm able to acquire this bad boy! Now that'll be a restoration!!
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