Columbian woodworking vise with odd screw

[streetcore]

Hi everyone,

I bought a couple vises at an auction today, including a vintage Columbian 10" woodworking vise with an odd looking screw. It has threads missing on one side and I've never seen anything like it before. I've been on Google trying to find a similar vise and so far I have come up empty.

Does anybody here know anything about this vise and why the thread was made this way? It's completely seized right now, so I can't turn it or take it apart, but I've soaked it in Releasall and hopefully I can get it working again soon.

Here's some pics.

Thanks.

 

[markbugno]

I believe this is a quick release feature. When turned a certain way, you can slide the jaw without turning the screw. I believe you push it to clamping position then give it a slight turn to tighten it up.

Mark


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Shiftless]

Did you check for quick release vises? I believe you have one.

edit: Mark and I hit send at the same time.

 

[exmaxima1]

I believe this is a quick release feature. When turned a certain way, you can slide the jaw without turning the screw. I believe you push it to clamping position then give it a slight turn to tighten it up.

Exactly

 

[streetcore]

Thanks for the quick replies. I thought that might be it, but I always thought quick release vises had a switch to open the nut. I just found an old Columbian ad that describes vises as being available with either a continuous screw or a quick-acting screw. So I guess that's it. I'm even happier with my purchase now!

I still haven't see one with the same front jaw. Any idea how old this might be?

 

[streetcore]

I was able to get the vise torn down and cleaned up a bit today. It actually came apart much easier than I expected. Unfortunately, it looks like it's got some problems, but I'm hoping it can still be fixed and put back to use.

The problem is with the threaded bronze nut or shoe (I'm not sure what you call that part). There's about 1/2" of play and it moves back and forth when the threaded portion of the quick-action screw is engaged. So the jaws won't tighten

I found the blog post below on lumberjocks that describes the rebuild of a similar vice and it looks like there's supposed to be a spring and a nail holding the shoe in place.

http://lumberjocks.com/hhhopks/blog/28620

It shouldn't be too hard to find a spring and nail, but it also looks like the shoe on my vise may have been cut shorter in the past. Maybe it was made that way, but there's definitely some saw marks on the end where the spring goes.

 

[exmaxima1]

That nut looks normal for that type of vise. The last one I rebuilt looked just like that. I suspect that a nail was originally used, but I used a steel dowel and thin spring. I trimmed the spring to get a good tension and fit. The nut will release if the spring tension is stiff enough.

 

[streetcore]

That nut looks normal for that type of vise. The last one I rebuilt looked just like that. I suspect that a nail was originally used, but I used a steel dowel and thin spring. I trimmed the spring to get a good tension and fit. The nut will release if the spring tension is stiff enough.

Thanks for the info. I stacked three smaller springs on a nail and it works! I'm not sure if that galvanized shim is original either, but I added an extra one cut out of aluminum. I think it might help to tighten things up too.

It still feels like it might slip if I really reefed on the handle, but I'm glad it's working.

 

[Fretters]

Thanks for the quick replies. I thought that might be it, but I always thought quick release vises had a switch to open the nut.

English QR vices generally do, but can't say as I've ever noted the lever based QR on any vices on your side of the pond.

 

[jimreed2160]

Good score on the vise and I am glad your clever fix to the QR worked. Looks like you have a nice user. Good luck making shavings.

 

[streetcore]

English QR vices generally do, but can't say as I've ever noted the lever based QR on any vices on your side of the pond.

Interesting. I wonder why that is.

Good score on the vise and I am glad your clever fix to the QR worked. Looks like you have a nice user. Good luck making shavings.

Thanks. Now I just need a bench to attach the vise to