Can this be repaired? Vice screw
- Thread starter koditten
- Start date
SGKent
Banned
I would look for a junker broken vise of the same brand, and buy just that part from the guy selling it. The threads look deformed also from being over-stressed. If it is a vise that is still made you might be able to buy the part from the manufacturer. You didn't list enough information to know even what kind of vise it is so I can't help much more than that.
Professional Tool User
Well-known member
Time to go hunt for a used part (or new if available) or if that doesn't work out and you don't care how much it costs, ask a machine shop to make you a new one.
If you cannot find another, I'd center drill and thread those two pieces. Lightly center punch the end thread of the threaded plug so there is some resistance to it coming apart. That way you can check the fit on the nut and have things stay put. Then silver solder or braze, and clean up with a file.
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
Ask up above in "The VISES of Garage Journal" forum. Fill in the blanks with the vise info, and someone should be able to hook you up.
matt_i
Well-known member
Im thoroughly amazed that a person can see the thread condition without zoom...my eyes are not what they used to be.
I really like the idea to silver-solder as you have the best chance of getting the entire cross-section hooked back together. I also like the idea to hold it in a collet and center-drill each side, but I wouldn't tap the ends, I would ream for a smooth pin. I also believe its unlikely that the two fractured ends would mate back cleanly on the spiral. If there's any protrusion it would stop and bind before the interfaces mate back.
Making a new one isn't entirely out of the question but if its Acme its follow-rest work. That is a heavy cut on a flimsy shaft.
I really like the idea to silver-solder as you have the best chance of getting the entire cross-section hooked back together. I also like the idea to hold it in a collet and center-drill each side, but I wouldn't tap the ends, I would ream for a smooth pin. I also believe its unlikely that the two fractured ends would mate back cleanly on the spiral. If there's any protrusion it would stop and bind before the interfaces mate back.
Making a new one isn't entirely out of the question but if its Acme its follow-rest work. That is a heavy cut on a flimsy shaft.
SGKent
Banned
it is easy if you spent 50 years working on things, some of it as a machinist. The witness marks show a rounding of the threads and the patina changes. Sometimes I right click the photo, save it and zoom it. You can get sometimes 300 - 600 X if one does that depending on the DPI of the original photo.
Look at how crisp and square the threads are at the green arrow. Then look at the light hitting the threads at the yellow arrow.The light bouncing off shows that the threads are rolled. That tells me that they have been stressed - just like when one over tightens a bolt and the threads stretch and roll. The screw most likely broke from stress. It could be fixed by grinding and welding it but trying to keep the threads lined up, trying to file or grind new threads in the welded area would be hard - and it could just break again at the weld. And, if it broke from being dropped then the steel is too fragile for its purpose anymore.
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chrisnazzy
Well-known member
Can it be repaired?
Sure. I suppose almost anything could be repaired.
Should you bother?
Absolutely not! Even if it could be repaired would you trust it? It certainly wouldn't be any stronger than it was before it was broken and you've found the limit of that.
By the profile of the handle it looks like it came from a Wilton. Can you post pics of the vise it came from? Good possibility replacement parts are available.
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Sure. I suppose almost anything could be repaired.
Should you bother?
Absolutely not! Even if it could be repaired would you trust it? It certainly wouldn't be any stronger than it was before it was broken and you've found the limit of that.
By the profile of the handle it looks like it came from a Wilton. Can you post pics of the vise it came from? Good possibility replacement parts are available.
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Doug Arthurs
Well-known member
Looks like a fun machining project to me.
What model Wilton has that groove several inches from the head? It looks like a cheaper vise that used a circlip in that groove.
Some where in my internet wanderings I came across one guy who bought a section of acme threaded rod and repaired a vise screw by wacking off the threaded portion of the screw and welding the new threaded rod on. New threads and keeps the old handle and bearing surfaces.
lg
no neat sig line
lg
no neat sig line
When I was in High School machine shop, we made vise screws on the lathe to replace broken ones thru out the school.
Older Wilton utility vises used a clip and spring, with the groove.
kald
Well-known member
Is it standard acme rod or are vise threads
different?
different?
Dutch01
Well-known member
My 1st thought was also that it is acme thread. I doubt if welding will do the job. I would look at cheap scissor jacks that have acme thread. If need be, the nut section could be refused in the repair of the vise
rsanter
Well-known member
Buy the right section of acme thread from an online machine supply place.
Core drill and weld the new section of acme thread to the unthreaded section of that handle
Core drill and weld the new section of acme thread to the unthreaded section of that handle
bczygan
Well-known member
It could be repaired or replaced, but how about the nut???
Bill
Bill
Shiftless
Well-known member
I agree that the threads appear to be square threads and not ACME threads. Square threads were very common on old vises but they are harder to cut and have mostly been replaced by ACME threads (which have a 27' or 29' angle on the sides while square threads are straight 90' cuts on the sides). If you're ordering a new shaft make sure you know if your thread type is square or acme or it won't fit in the nut.
Shiftless
Well-known member
And, like Bill said, I’d certainly look closely at the nut before I went to the trouble and expense of getting a new main screw made. And you’d still need a new handle too right?
I can’t think of an instance where making a new main screw AND a new nut would make economic sense. If you’re just looking for a project and will be repaid by the satisfaction of a job well done, then go for it. If you’re just looking for a useable vise, I would just look for a serviceable replacement.
Put an ad in the GJ wanted section. Lots of us have extra vises for sale at reasonable prices. I do.
I can’t think of an instance where making a new main screw AND a new nut would make economic sense. If you’re just looking for a project and will be repaid by the satisfaction of a job well done, then go for it. If you’re just looking for a useable vise, I would just look for a serviceable replacement.
Put an ad in the GJ wanted section. Lots of us have extra vises for sale at reasonable prices. I do.