Canedy Otto vise help

[bungy42]

I picked up this partial Canedy Otto vise this afternoon. However, it's missing the screw/nut/handle. It shouldn't be too hard to make something that will work, but I thought that maybe one of the vise collectors on this forum might have some spare parts. So, how about it? Anybody got a screw for this vise?

 

[autopts]

You've stumpped the band!

 

[bungy42]

So it seems!

 

[WWIIjeep]

What's the jaw width, and are the castings in good shape?

Canedy-Otto was primarily known for their drill press line, but in their early years, they also made blacksmithing forges and blowers, portable hoists, anvils, arbor presses, vises, and various other metalworking products.

I'd guess your C-O vise dates from before the 1930s, and is fairly rare compared to other old vise brands. You'll likely have to make whatever parts you need, or modify parts from some other brand. It could be worth it, if the castings are in good shape, and even if you're not interested in doing that, there are people around who collect and use old Canedy-Otto blacksmithing and metalworking tools who would probably do it.

 

[Carla]

What's the jaw width, and are the castings in good shape?

Canedy-Otto was primarily known for their drill press line, but in their early years, they also made blacksmithing forges and blowers, portable hoists, anvils, arbor presses, vises, and various other metalworking products.

I'd guess your C-O vise dates from before the 1930s, and is fairly rare compared to other old vise brands. You'll likely have to make whatever parts you need, or modify parts from some other brand. It could be worth it, if the castings are in good shape, and even if you're not interested in doing that, there are people around who collect and use old Canedy-Otto blacksmithing and metalworking tools who would probably do it.

I'd concur............making the parts would just not be cost or time-effective, but its certainly worth a try to see whether some Canedy-Otto collector might be willing to trade a good serviceable Reed, Prentiss, or Parker vise for that elegant little collectible rarity.

You might try advertising in the 'antique machinery' section of the 'practicalmachinist' internet board.

cheers

Carla

 

[bungy42]

The jaws are just a hair over 3" wide. Sorry I omitted the obligatory soda can in my pictures. I didn't have one handy. You can get acme threaded rod from places like McMaster-Carr, so it really wouldn't be all that much work to make up a screw/handle assembly. Perhaps I'll put some feelers out over at PM just for kicks. This thing was destined for the dumpter when I stumbled upon it. The castings seem to be good, but it's hard to tell with all the rust. It's possible that I might stumble upon a crack when I start removing the rust. Thanks for your input.

 

[Outlawmws]

Is the nut inside the vise still there? If so nail down the TPI and major diameter before buying any Acme threaded rod.

I Like interesting projects like that. minimal cost, especially getting the vise for free, and just your tile and the small cost of some Acme rod, and possibly a coupling nut. (Oh for the good old days when the local hardware store actually stocked acme rod and nuts...)

 

[bungy42]

No, the nut is amongst the missing as well. I think that will be hardest part of the fabrication.

 

[Catalyze]

Very nice find! In the world of vises, you have an unusual one. You have sort of walked into a Ford dealership and asked for Fiat Abarth parts. As a project, I think the main nut will be the hardest to find/fabricate. You will have to determine what will fit your body's mounting system. If you can post a couple of photos, maybe we can see what we think migh modify and work. It could be something simple like a Columbian nut or ??

On the other hand....I didn't want to miss posting in a thread that had Carla posting in it. I have followed Carla's advice many times on another board.
Craig

 

[kukko]

Just saw this thread. Let me know if I can get any dimensions or measurements for you. I have a similar, but slightly smaller Canedy-Otto vise. Mine's marked 2 1/2 and the jaws are about 2 11/16" wide.
Regarding the threaded shaft: mine is 1/2" 5 Acme thread, which I guess is way obsolete since I can't find it anywhere. The shaft on mine is also broken. I am replacing the shaft with currently available 1/2" 10 Acme threaded rod and am fabricating a nut for it too.

The handle rod is steel, but the balls on the end appear to be cast pot metal or lead.

Here are old pics of mine: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1913071&postcount=3270

I will be taking pics of the clean up / resto, and will start a thread about it in the not too distant future.

 

[Outlawmws]

What ever happened with this? Did you get it working?

 

[Packard V8]

Give the board some clues. What is the diameter of the holes in the moveable jaw? Is it one diameter or stepped?

FWIW, the screw is the easiest part of the vise to replace, since it's somewhat generic.

Just me or does the C-O have an unusually short slide/moveable jaw?

jack vines

 

[bungy42]

Sorry about the radio silence on this one. I forgot all about this project. A Canedy-Otto enthusiast saw my post on another board and offered to buy the vice. So, this is now a project on someone else's to-do list. Thanks for the feedback/help, though!