Columbian 603 Project

[jrgmercado]

I've been lurking in the site for a while checking out the restorations. My sister in law likes to hit the garage sales and I asked her to keep her eyes open for a bench vise since I didn't have one yet. Well lo and behold, she found this one at the curb in her mobile home community. The guy who chucked it said it was broken, and since I didn't tell her to find me and operational one, she pick it up.

Bunch of rust, but not really bad. The reason it wasn't working was because the main screw's collar was missing a set screw. The swivel lock is missing it's handle but I've found quite a few posts on how to make a replacement.

Based on the information I've found on GJ, it's probably 60 years old...so wish me luck as I start my first vise restoration. Fingers crossed.

 

[Shelbylex]

Welcome!
Looks like a great project!
The question is the color...

 

[Crabman]

Looks cool, good luck with it. Post pictures!

 

[thehorse13]

That vise lead a very easy life but was stored in a bad place. It will clean up beautifully and last well beyond your lifetime. Your sister in law grabbed a great project off the curb!

 

[jrgmercado]

Well was able take apart the vise completely. Found damage on the slide and there was some gouges on the jaws, all from a grinder. I don't know what I'm going to do about the jaws but I'll figure something out.

 

[454ragtop]

Post some pics of the actual "damage". If that 1 pic of the jaw is any indication, it's nothing to worry about.

 

[thehorse13]

This vise looks better than 95% of the ones that show up here. I can't see any damage in the pictures above but what I do see is a great specimen for a full restore.