Columbian 5-CD Wood Vise: Looking for info

[Jacobs976]

Got this vise today and wanted to see if anybody knows if there's supposed to be any bearings/washers on the spindle.

Dropped the spindle nut screwing the spindle out to remove it from the table it was on and while the debris padded the fall I didn't think to search for anything beyond the spindle nut.

Also I know the plate across the back that prevents the spindle from pulling out is missing. I'm assuming it was removed to install it on the table and wasn't reinstalled due to limited working space/inconvenience. I want to try making a new one but I want to attempt to make it the same thickness and size as the original if anybody has one they could measure.

 

[RTM]

Don’t believe so. I’d check google pics to see if there appears to be one, but I haven’t seen many WW vises w a washer or bearing there from the factory.

 

[Jacobs976]

Don’t believe so. I’d check google pics to see if there appears to be one, but I haven’t seen many WW vises w a washer or bearing there from the factory.

I tried Google along with eBay and the odd sites but I couldn't find any pics that would show a washer other than behind the handle on 7 series(-CD and other variations) vise's. 5-CD pics weren't as detailed.

Going off the 7 series and a Craftsman instruction booklet I'm pretty sure the only washer would be behind the handle but the Craftsman one didn't have one and it looks like the 5-CD doesn't either.

So overall I think the only issue is the drag plate. Pics made it look to be around 1/4" thick but I'm still hoping to find a template to get it the right dimensions. Otherwise I'll just make my own template and try estimating the dimensions from the pics.

 

[Neighbor]

You might take a look at the Columbian documents on vintage machinery

Columbian Vise & Manufacturing Co. - Publication Reprints | VintageMachinery.org

not much for viewing the under carriage bu there are some parts lists.

also there are some pictures

http://www.vintagemachinery.org/photoindex/images/41524-C.jpg

 

[Eric827]

Hey Jacobs976, here are some assembled/disassembled picks from my Columbian 7-CD. The only washer is a 0.08" thick bronze bearing directly behind the handle. The keeper plate is 3/16" thick, 1 1/2" tall, 5 3/8" wide. The pics don't show it, but the keeper plate is held onto the spindle with a roll pin.

 

[Eric827]

Couple more pics after installation (and a couple years of occasional use). I realize it's not exactly the same model, but the design of the keeper plate should get you where you need to be.

 

[fordoz]

I’ve restored a few of them and none of them had washers

 

[fordoz]

 

[fordoz]

 

[fordoz]

As for the plate, some other manufacturers don’t use a plate but put a pin in one of the guide bars to keep it from falling out

 

[Leon bee]

I don't understand the sliding tab on the front jaw of these.

 

[fordoz]

 

[fordoz]

 

[fordoz]

One day I might work up the nerve to drill dog holes into my bench

 

[RTM]

I don't understand the sliding tab on the front jaw of these.

As @fordoz showed, using the bench dog with the vise dog lets you clamp anything as large as your benchtop. You aren’t limited by the vise size, only where you place it. One on the front, one on the end, and you are unstoppable.