Help needed rebuilding Athol 624 Vise

[cbb]

Bought a 624 today but need some advise, please, getting the base off. I see the large screw on the bottom but it does not budge. It swivels smoothly but maybe I do not know what I am doing, not surprising. Here are a few pictures...

 

[Joe B.]

My 624 had a set screw in the top piece. It was covered in gunk so one would not even know it was there.

 

[Outlawmws]

Soak around the screw with PB blaster or Kroil, and tap on the screw every time you go by it for a while. if you have a Drag link socket, and a Hammer impact, that is the hot setup for that rusted in screw. (I had one like that and that was exactly how I got it out.

 

[cbb]

Yes, thank you. I see the screw now but it is not budging with layers of yellow paint over the original red. I scraped most of the paint out. I will soak over night with PB Blaster in hopes it will penetrate.

Now does anyone remember how the 2 washers and the spring go back in? It was a mess in dis-assembly and it was hard to even know they were washers/spacers. I would think that the washers go on either end of the spring but not sure which one goes/faces what (one has a lip at one end).

Thank you for the help!

 

[Outlawmws]

If this uses a preload spring you want a washer on each end of the spring, and you need to replace the keeper if you messed it up getting it out. if it's in fair shape you can reuse it.

 

[cbb]

OK, I think I understand. I have re-assembled the washers and the spring on the lead screw, is this correctly installed? The retainer/keeper seemed to still be there, it is just now the length of the diameter of the bar now, I suppose I sheared the ends off taking it apart unless each side should be unequal to make a longer keeper. So if not, the helpful hardware man should have this piece or will a cotter pin work as long as the length allows the bar to spin freely?

So to complete this assembly I will have to put everything on except the pin/keeper and finish with the lead installed. Sorry for the lack of understanding!

 

[Joe B.]

Now does anyone remember how the 2 washers and the spring go back in? It was a mess in dis-assembly and it was hard to even know they were washers/spacers. I would think that the washers go on either end of the spring but not sure which one goes/faces what (one has a lip at one end).

Getting the spring and washers back in was the hardest part of putting mine back together. I think the washers are interchangeable and the lip you see might just be because of wear. It is a pain to compress the spring but I was able to do it with several picks at a time. You also will probably need a new cotter pin to hold the spring on. Before you put the pin in, you will need to cut it to a length that will allow you to rotate the screw so you can bend down the tabs on the cotter pin after you put it in.

I would recommend an impact screwdriver for getting out the set screw.
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-impact-driver/p-00947641000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

 

[Outlawmws]

Yep, on what Joe said about the cotter pin.

The link he gave you is what I was talking about as a Hammer impact, but you DON""T want to use the bits that come with it; you will just chew up the slot and the bit if you do. Get a 3/8 drive drag link socket which looks like a giant screwdriver tip.

 

[ZRX61]

I just used cotter pins in the 3 or 4 Athols I've restoed. Easiest way to compress the spring is to put it in a vise & then tie it off with safety wire. release spring from vise, rotate 180deg, compress again & then tie it off with a 2nd piece of safety wire opposite the first.
Once you have it all assembled, with the cotterpin in place, just snip the safety wire to release the spring compression.

Piece of cake

& yes, that screw that locks the big bolt into place is a bear to get out, but once it's out you can just about undo the big bolt with your fingers.

 

[ZRX61]

Pics:

 

[cbb]

Wow, you guys are amazing! This is exactly where I am. Spacers and the spring on but needing the spring compressed. Great pictures too. I chose to leave the swivel base on as it is moving smoothly, a fight for another day I suppose.

Got this old guy cleaned up, paint stripped and lubed for assembly, pictures coming if anyone would like to see after I get the cotter pin seated. Wife has been helping 100% of the way, a real trooper.

Do not have any safety wire handy are there any good alternatives?

 

[ZRX61]

Do not have any safety wire handy are there any good alternatives?

Possibly a couple of REALLY small zip ties?

 

[cbb]

Help needed rebuilding Athol 624 Vise | Finished!

So the wife suggested we use bread ties, this worked, and we also used some small beaded zip ties on the spring. Thinking about leaving in the natural finish and wiping it down with oil every now and then.

Thank you for all the help and I hope this helps others as well with their Athol!

 

[biscuit141]

Cbb, how much did you pay for the vise originally?

 

[Sims159915]

My 624 doesn’t seem to have the same set screw. Do some years have it and others not? Trying to remove the bottom bolt.

 

[Packard V8]

Re: Help needed rebuilding Athol 624 Vise | Finished!

Thinking about leaving in the natural finish and wiping it down with oil every now and then.

X2 - I never paint any of my vises because they're going to be used as intended. It's yours, so do what pleases you.

jack vines