Help with Wilton Vise Restoration

[uf-engineer]

I'm thinking about buying this wilton vise as my primary bench vise and restoration project. I'm worried that I won't be able to get the jaws off. If I soak the screws in penetrating oil, do you think I'll be able to get the screws off?

If I can't, what option would I have especially if the screw shears off.

Thanks

 

[BJ42LX]

A few minutes with a sand blaster would clear out those screw heads...

 

[autopts]

A few minutes with a sand blaster would clear out those screw heads...

Impact driver with phillips head with hammer, 5 minutes

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

Impact driver with phillips head with hammer, 5 minutes

Could not have said it better myself.Soak those bad boy's in PB Blaster and go to town with a Impact Driver,Couple of hammer strikes and your done!

 

[RivennHewn]

I had a hell of of time removing the screws on a wilton bullet vise.

Penetrating oil numerous times, pencil torch (2300*) just on the screws, hand-held impact driver.

Finally had to drill and use an extractor.

All that only to find out they weren't the original holes. Someone had alread broke off the original screws and filed them flush, then drilled and taped new holes.

I had to drill out the old holes and re-tap, so I could put new wilton jaws on it.

Pain in the ***.

 

[ZRX61]

A few minutes with a sand blaster would clear out those screw heads...

Minutes? closer to maybe 20 seconds..

 

[Zrexxer]

If you can't get the jaws off, LEAVE 'em. They look like they're fine, work around them.

 

[uf-engineer]

Jaw are fine. I just want to replace the screw so if I ever want to swap out the jaw I can.

Is this wilton's mechanics vise? I think it is. I didn't note the model number.

 

[spongerich]

Jaw are fine. I just want to replace the screw so if I ever want to swap out the jaw I can.

Is this wilton's mechanics vise? I think it is. I didn't note the model number.

I think they referred to the bullets as Machinist's vises. They're excellent vises.

If you're not in a hurry, I'd vote for electrolysis to get those screws out. Sandblasting might just lock them up worse as you pack abrasive into them.

Electrolysis, followed by some penetrating fluid will make them come right out with a few light taps on an impact driver.

 

[uf-engineer]

How do you do electrolysis? Do you have to send it to a specialty shop?

 

[Arachnotron]

How do you do electrolysis? Do you have to send it to a specialty shop?

You can do this at home. Here are a few links from a google search for "electroloysis rest removal"

http://www.rowand.net/Shop/Tools/Electrolysis.htm

http://ct-web2.unh.edu/lee/electrolysis.htm

 

[autopts]

How do you do electrolysis? Do you have to send it to a specialty shop?

electrolysis? sandblasting? Get an Impact driver on them and get back to us if that doesn't work.

 

[mjozefow]

Electrolysis is over rated on vises IMO. Unless you are leaving the vise bare cast iron, it is far too time consuming and sand blasting or wire-wheeling does a better job. I have done at least ten by electrolysis and the balance I have blasted. Blasting is better.

 

[autopts]

I'm thinking about buying this wilton vise as my primary bench vise and restoration project. I'm worried that I won't be able to get the jaws off. If I soak the screws in penetrating oil, do you think I'll be able to get the screws off?

If I can't, what option would I have especially if the screw shears off.

Thanks

Wilton used Fillister head phillips screws to hold down all of their jaws on the older generatiom vises and when something got pinched between the two heads, naturally when pressure was applied, the heads of both screws would flatten on the top. That doesn't mean they are trashed. I've taken more then a few of these flattened head screws out and as long as you have another vise to hold each piece at a time, jaw facing up, you can even get lucky and tap a phillips head screwdriver into them. They might look worse then they actually are. Thats a nice Wilton what I can see of it.

 

[Slip_Kid]

It's a wonderful vise, it will give you many years of service.
Here is mine.............

 

[kc-steve]

. . . Is this wilton's mechanics vise? I think it is. I didn't note the model number.

It could be the Machinist's Vise or the Tradesman Vise. Autopts can correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think we ever got into the differences in the "Wilton Vise History" thread. We just discussed the "Bullet" vise in general terms.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=86615

The Mechanic's Vises are somewhat easier to spot with an anvil for hammering and pipe jaws below the standard jaws. In terms of price, Mechanic's Vises are generally lower in price and status than the others mentioned.

Steve