October 1943 Rocky 542-BX 98% Finished Today

Hello All,

I've been busy with life but wanted to drop back in and say thanks to all of you who inspire me with your fine examples of work to get me moving forward . I'm not sure if this should be in The Vises of GJ (or repairs ? But I can't locate either at the moment). This vise has quite the back story, but I'll save the whole write up for the coming weeks when she gets her new reproduction Birtman Badge installed , along with newly machined duplicate pipe jaw inserts. For now she is back in the game and is going to my good friend (and coworker) tomorrow to grace his workbench for hopefully another 77 plus years.

I'll save all the before , during, after shots and rehab details for later , but she's dressed in Duplicolor Zinc Green self etching primer and three coats of their Alpine/Detroit Diesel Green Ceramic Engine enamel. The photos don't do that beautiful color justice, nor do any online. I did the letters with Testors Enamel paint pens..... easy as pie !

Enjoy, and thanks !

Shawn

This old workhorse had brand new bare cast iron under the Birtman Badge, but was slathered in very old (and extremely tough !) hand brushed mallard green, black, red-oxide , and faded tan all over. That paint didn't survive her simple green soak, but the coloring jnside the dynamic jaw pocket did. I gently cleaned that with a soft toothbrush and clear coated that area with the Duplicolor clear gloss engine enamel. I then taped it off for painting and feathered the area in. I thought it was a nice way to honor her interesting past work history , by preserving that section of colors in that inconspicuous spot. I sure like it!

Shawn,

It looks great! I don't see too many of these around. How much do you want to make an extra pipe jaw? I was going to have a cousin of mine water jet it for me, but if you are already tooling up to do it.....

Thanks!

Nice resto job! Always good to see an ole timer tool brought back up to snuff and put back to work.

Thanks Bonneyman and Pelletman ! Pelletman your BX has PERFECT overall character and patina. I would only spot clean it and keep it wiped down with Gibbs or something of a similar nature. And make sure the lead screw and nut don't have grit and grime ! That is a dream condition IMHO. What is your production year? Greenie is 10-43, and the little brother is 4-45 !

Warm Regards, Shawn