a quick question about an old Allied 5" vise

[sprocketman]

Hopefully I am posting on the correct forum. And I apologize for not having the exact lingo for vise parts.

I have an old Allied 5" swivel vice that I bought 10 years ago at a garage sale. I immediately greased it and have used it without issues until now.

One annoying problem. There are two screws on the side of the base to tighten the vise body into a given position. One always stays locked but the other one loosens. Inside the swivel is a washer and bolt that sticks up to accept the little t-handle tightener - see the first attached picture.

I have seen pictures online showing square headed bolts inside the swivel, and seen other vises with serrated pieces that get pulled up against the inside of the base when the bolt is tightened.

My question - what is the best method to ensure these stay locked?

Thank you for your help!!

 

[GeoBruin]

Is there a nut that threads on to the bolt? Is it a conventional nut? Is it engaging with something that stops it from turning so the handle actually tightens?

You're right that most vises use a larger dedicated "nut" that maximizes the friction or else has some kind of teeth that engage with the base.

If those nuts were lost or damaged, and a conventional nut was threaded on, it could not be tightening or else could just not be providing enough force to remain tight and clamp. Can you get a photo of the nut?

 

[sprocketman]

Thank you GeoBruin!

Yes, the little t-handle and integrated nut used to tighten the base is threaded and uses a standard coarse thread. But I don't see anything that engages or holds the head of the bolt that is mounted inside the base and sticks up to connect to the t-handle.

That explains why it continues to spin. I'll get you a photo when I'm in the shop tomorrow.

Do you know of any good sources for a bolt with a head suitable to engage the base? Maybe a square headed bolt or something else?

More to come, thank you

 

[GeoBruin]

Thank you GeoBruin!

Yes, the little t-handle and integrated nut used to tighten the base is threaded and uses a standard coarse thread. But I don't see anything that engages or holds the head of the bolt that is mounted inside the base and sticks up to connect to the t-handle.

That explains why it continues to spin. I'll get you a photo when I'm in the shop tomorrow.

Do you know of any good sources for a bolt with a head suitable to engage the base? Maybe a square headed bolt or something else?

More to come, thank you

Something like this?

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[RoninB4]

^ This^

-They can be made or purchased. It's a nice/small project to make them, just don't use all-thread from the hardware store.