1919 Reed 204 1/2 restoration

[Aldochina]

Well, this turned into a full blown project, but I've been loving it. Been loving the site aswell. I already started a thread in the vintage section, but since it has morphed into a project I wanted to post it here aswell. I will try to link the other thread here, or maybe the admins can do it. Not sure if it would be better in the vises thread. Cant believe its 4000+ pages! I'll put a link there too.
I'll start here where I left off in the other thread. So after a thorough cleaning and degrease, I pressure washed it good. After too much thought, I decided to try an electrolysis dip. Always wanted to try it, realized I had everything on hand. Should have done it from the get go. Thinking of going with a raw look finish, but havnt decided yet. Cant wait to see what It looks like when it comes out.

 

[Aldochina]

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=457739

Link to original thread.

 

[Aldochina]

Couldnt get the 2 pieces together, the niks and peens on the corner of the slide were binding, little file work and it went together nice. Anyone who wants to post their process of finishing after the bath as far as shining up the machined surfaces. Or any before and after are welcome. I just cant sift through any more pages of the vices of GJ lol!! I burned out on vise repair 101!

 

[Aldochina]

Changed my electrodes out for some raw steel plates. In for its second dip. What's the best way to remove the black carbon for finishing? Suppose you could get as fussy as you want. Looked really good after an overnight soak, but still some rust around the lettering. How long would you guys soak a vise in this shape?

 

[Aldochina]

Got the copper hanger out of the dip and replaced it with some raw steel.

 

[Aldochina]

So after about a day in the tank, a good brushing and a rinse with water this is what we have. Still some rust present, should I expect all this to be gone after some more time in the tank. There was a ton of nasty sludge in the water and on the electrodes, going to clean it out and re submerge. Been working on cleaning up the main swivel bolt that I had welded the nut on. Call it good. Got the really badly pitted swivel nut cleaned up as much as I'm going to. Have to fab a new handle. I have some round stock that fit perfect with a slight ream of the hole. Was just going to weld some nuts on the ends and shape them down. I'm sure the round stock is mild steel, but I wont be pounding it tight with a hammer. I could source a long collar grade 8 bolt and use that if needed.

 

[MileHighRover]

You could try a socket extension. That's what I used to replace the missing lockdown handle on my Rock Island vise. A 6 inch 3/8" worked perfectly. Figured it was hardened and would hold up better than mild steel rod.

You could go a few routes with it depending on the look you're trying to achieve. Stick with chrome, grind it down to bare metal, or pick up a black oxide one from Harbor Freight or the like. I went the black oxide route.

 

[Aldochina]

You could try a socket extension. That's what I used to replace the missing lockdown handle on my Rock Island vise. A 6 inch 3/8" worked perfectly. Figured it was hardened and would hold up better than mild steel rod.

You could go a few routes with it depending on the look you're trying to achieve. Stick with chrome, grind it down to bare metal, or pick up a black oxide one from Harbor Freight or the like. I went the black oxide route.

Funny, I mentioned that for the main screw handle.

 

[Aldochina]

After a re arrange of the tank it's going good. Added an additional electrode. Pic of the blast cabinet, which I thought about throwing it in a bunch of times. Its loaded with garnet, and I wanted to see the finish the electrolysis produced anyway.

 

[Aldochina]

Lots of work done on the vise. I am digging the finish. Preheated the parts to around 400 then put the BLO on, let it set for 10 min. Wiped off the excess, back in the oven for 20 min, then another hot coat let sit for 10, then buffed it out and let cure. Base came out darker, kinda burnt looking. Thinner metal, so got hotter quicker, should have pulled it a bit sooner. Looks kinda cool though. Finish is definitely baked right on. Wont scratch with a fingernail.

 

[Aldochina]

Got the sliding jaw all done. Buffed out the main screw end.

 

[Aldochina]

Got the swivel nut done, stick welded the ball back on the main screw handle, reshaped it best I could. All reassembled. Main scew lubed with dry moly spray, machine oil on the sliding surfaces, never seize on the threads of the main base and swivel screws. Opens and closes like butter. No in and out play on the main screw, just a bit of up and down. It was quite addicting doing this project. I had a ball. Think it turned out pretty awsome!

 

[Aldochina]

The official before and after