Columbian 3.5" vise help

[Blackmarket]

Scored on a 3.5" columbian vise this last wknd. $5 was exchanged, which I thought was great. One problem. The handle for tightening the jaws has been replaced with threaded rod and nuts. Any ideas for a replacement similar to factory style?

 

[CNGsaves]

Gotta see your $5 purchase . . . . pictures are worth a thousand words.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Pics + Model # would be most helpful...

 

[Blackmarket]

Sorry it took so long but here's a couple of pics

 

[toomanytoyzz]

I think I have a lead screw with handle that would fit it. Gotta get it from the shop on Sunday. I'll shoot you some pics. You can have it for the price of shipping if you want.

 

[Outlawmws]

I usually post this for he swivel nut and handle replacement; tweaked for a main screw handle::

Get a 8-10” bolt in 1/2” (Or whatever your hole is...); also get a matching Jam nut. Grind the points off the hex of the bolt (cosmetic cleanup), and string it through the hole drilled in the main screw.

Run the jam nut down and jam it into the bottom of the threads of the bolt. Cut off most of the excess bolt. Peen the remainder of the bolt threads into the nut as flush as you can, and file flat.


The last step is again cosmetic: Grind the points off the now captive Jam nut. You have just made a new handle for the vise…

 

[Outlawmws]

ps: for a light duty vise like that the grade of screw won't matter much. I think even a grade 3 would do the trick...

 

[G_P]

If you have a tap/die set you can get a legnth of rod in the correct diameter and thread the ends. Then search around for some steel balls that you can grind a flat spot on. Then drill/tap a hole in them and use some locktite to thread them onto the rod.

Avoid large ball bearings. They will be hardened and will be a nightmare to work with.