Bent columbian

[Oldtuleguy]

Bent the dynamic on my old Columbian. Thought about putting it in a 50ton press to straighten. Not sure if worth fixing. Any ideas?

 

[Shelbylex]

What are you loosing by trying, OTG?
Seems it's not usable in current condition anyway. If you straighten it successfully, you can restore or sell it. If not - can sell it for parts...

 

[Mallen]

Is that one of the kind where the slide is made from steel I stand of cast as part of the dynamic jaw?

 

[LXCam]

Well you yourself said ya bent it. So how much force could you really put on it. 1000lbs with the help of some leverage? I’d crib it it under the slide so the force isn’t on the connection point to the front and center up the cribbing and push point at the apex n give it a go.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Is that one of the kind where the slide is made from steel I stand of cast as part of the dynamic jaw?

Slide is steel, so I thought bending It back might be possible. This thing has been abused in the shop since long before I got there. Was coated in layers of grease and grime. Soaked it for 3 days in a bucket of that nasty purple stuff I use on the floors and it cleaned up. I will pull it apart and take a shot at straightening it.

 

[Mallen]

That's plausible. If you can apply for e at the right spots, it might be fixable. There a few other ways too, but let's get a good look before deciding. Get it cleaned and apart, and then upload a picture of the slide against a ruler or strait edge so we can see better how it's bent.

If that slide is a piece of steel chanel stock, and it can't be straitened, you might be able to make a new one, get the old one out and braze or silver solder it in place.

 

[thehorse13]

You 100% can straighten that slide. The small homeowners Craftsman vises have the same steel U channel slides. I've straightened half dozen of them over the years.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Better pic of the bend

 

[tool_scrounge]

Wow - that is a lot of bend. I would be surprised if other components were not over stressed with that much deformation. Usually the handle is designed to bend like a pretzel before anything else breaks.

 

[Shiftless]

I would toss it. IMHO, you’ve already spent too much time trying to fix a low value bench vise. Continue only if you enjoy a challenge.
The base looks fine and the jaw inserts seem not too worn. Save the little screws that hold the jaw inserts on. Maybe somebody needs parts.

 

[2oolhound]

You could also machine a new jaw face that is beveled and a bit higher so when the vise closes the new insert lines up properly to the static jaw.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Appreciate the suggestions. I will mess with it a bit and see what happens.

 

[drivesitfar]

I agree with the thinking that this vise isn't worth a lot, but if you like a challenge maybe get a torch (hotter the better) to warm up the slide before you bend it back. did the screw survive without bending or the vise nut not break?

lots of these out and about so finding a parts vise might work or selling off or trading your decent parts for cash or another tool could be your best option.

just curious what you were doing and how you bent it this much?

good luck!!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Involved a sledge hammer. I was thinking torch it up nice and hot and stick it in the press

 

[drivesitfar]

yep just BEE CAREFUL not to hurt yourself with fire or with something snapping.

good luck!!!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Ten minutes in the press at 20 tons and this is where it's at. Maybe a little tweeked but works ok

 

[drivesitfar]

while you have the press at the ready how about straightening the handle that was probably bent with a hammer or pipe?

nicely done!!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Yup handle is bent alright

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Ok, she's back in action!

 

[Mallen]

I agree with the thinking that this vise isn't worth a lot, but if you like a challenge maybe get a torch (hotter the better) to warm up the slide before you bend it back. did the screw survive without bending or the vise nut not break?

lots of these out and about so finding a parts vise might work or selling off or trading your decent parts for cash or another tool could be your best option.

just curious what you were doing and how you bent it this much?

good luck!!

Here's what I'm thinking. Get a big piece of steel. Like an I beam, or a piece of heavy channel stock. Get a second piece of metal that's a bit thicker than the difference between the bottom of the slide and the bottom of the jaw. Measure that distance. Cut up some thin sheet metal.Your making shims. You will stack enough shims to make up for the hypothetical space under the jaw, with the metal bar under the slide, when it's all sitting on the I beam. Clamp it down, heat the bend with an acetylene torch until it starts to glow. Use harbor freight clamps, because this will not be kind to them. Tighten the clamps, heat some more.


All of this makes perfect sense if you have an old I beam, and some metal bars and some sheet metal and some clamps and an acetylene torch. If you don't, then it's not worth the expense.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Treated it to a coat of paint after another soak in the purple floor cleaner

 

[Shelbylex]

Great save OTG! Bravo!
Sometimes its not about museum piece restoration, but giving a tool a new life!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

No just wanted to get it functional again. I am sure the vise experts here could have done better!

 

[drivesitfar]

You did great. We’ll done!!

 

[Indexmill]

Ah, it's still a *************...

 

[vhol5]

Ah, it's still a *************...

Damn. Brutal.

 

[Matt018888]

Nice work!

 

[larry_g]

No just wanted to get it functional again. I am sure the vise experts here could have done better!

You have now made it perfectly functional and YOU are now the expert. I'd be proud to have that on my bench.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Ahhh shucks