Morgan Aurora - Worth Rebuild?

[Built To Work]

Morgan Aurora 88
Hi All - was recommended to post here about an old vice I was gifted, link to my original post below:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/morgan-aurora-88-rebuild.522210/

My question to the experts is, should I (and can I) rebuild this vice? I am trying to source parts this week.

I intend to use the heck out of it, so it will get paint "federal safety blue" and new jaws (if I can find them) but will not be show room quality.

Is it a fool's errand to try and find parts?

 

[exmaxima1]

Morgan is still in business but moved their address to Milwaukee. I don't believe that Morgan Milwaukee still makes the model 88 but maybe the jaws are the same as used on their standard machinist vises.

 

[Roberts210]

A great thing about these old vises is their wounds, which show their decades of work. Your's doesn't look too abused--looks like its wounds are all superficial. New jaw inserts would spiff it up for sure, but even without new inserts it would be a great vise to clean up and repaint and use.

 

[Jayman17]

That will clean-up real nice, jaws don't look real bad to me.

 

[Built To Work]

Technical Question(s):
How much play should there be in the handle screw?
I can push and pull the handle about a quarter inch, leading me to believe I need a new collar and set screw.
Also, Do I need a washer between the collar and rail? There was a washer between the screw handle and the rail.
Maybe I can just shim a bunch of washers between the collar and rail to stop the slop (free play).



Next Question:
The Main vice nut also has about 1/4" free play, despite having a pin wedged in behind it.



The pin does not touch the main nut assembly - just keeps if from sliding out. Is this normal?

I had a heck of a time trying to beat it out.

 

[Cleave]

I've shimmed the screw with washers before, and also you can make a little shim to go between the pin and nut to keep the nut from moving around so much. These are simple and worthwhile improvements.
As for your jaws I'd just touch up any major dings or protrusions with an angle grinder if needed.
I wouldn't paint it myself, just wipe it down, clean and oil the inner workings, do the shim fixes above and mount it.

 

[Built To Work]

I've shimmed the screw with washers before, and also you can make a little shim to go between the pin and nut to keep the nut from moving around so much. These are simple and worthwhile improvements.
As for your jaws I'd just touch up any major dings or protrusions with an angle grinder if needed.
I wouldn't paint it myself, just wipe it down, clean and oil the inner workings, do the shim fixes above and mount it.

Love it. Fix it and send it, no messing around. The more I think about it, the more I am going to stop messing around and put it to work.
Those lawn mower blades aren't going to sharpen them selves. -lol

 

[Built To Work]

I am going to have to find replacement screws for the jaws, they are too bent. Home Depot here I come!

 

[1982fxr]

I am going to have to find replacement screws for the jaws, they are too bent. Home Depot here I come!

Go to Ace. You'll probably have to grind the heads down.

 

[Built To Work]

Go to Ace. You'll probably have to grind the heads down.

Yeah, that what I figured. Found some on Etsy for :
"Screws for holding the original factory hard jaws onto Columban, Reed, and Rock Island vises - specifically the 606M3 (606 M3), 3C, 2C, 577, 574, 593 and likely multiple other makes and models"

Link:
Esty - Vice Jaw Screws

They look the same, will have to measure and thread count tonight.

 

[1982fxr]

Link doesn't work but that's a major score if they fit.

 

[Built To Work]

Vise Jaw Retainer Screws 5/16-18 Reed Rock Island Columbian - Etsy

This Vises item by FliesLikeABrick has 2 favorites from Etsy shoppers. Ships from Leesburg, VA. Listed on Aug 24, 2023

www.etsy.com

 

[Built To Work]

Update:
Measured out the bolts I'll need - and the Esty screws will work. Most likely I will end up buying from mil tool anyway. on the fence

 

[Built To Work]

Cleaning has started. Set up a bucket wit zep and parts, soaked overnight. Set up an oil bucket to store the small parts that I will not paint. And set up a rinse bucket. lots of rags, gloves and brushes. (and an adult beverage plus music)

 

[Built To Work]

Let the dirty work begin!

 

[Built To Work]

For the big pieces, my plan is to set up a paint area outside. I scrubbed the big pieces and put them back in the zep for safe keeping until ready to paint. On paint day I will rinse them off, dry them good, and paint before they rust. Will probably spray them with brake cleaner after drying then paint. Any suggestions welcome - this is my 1st go at it.




Had some friends try and help me clean:





All clean and now just waiting for paint day:

 

[1982fxr]

It's so much faster to do all that with the wire wheel on a bench grinder and drill, imho.

 

[bonneyman]

Whoa! I think we should name you the "Vise Man"!

 

[FliesLikeABrick]

Just happened across this thread -- great work so far! and thank you for buying the screws I make/modify, peoples' projects keeping these classics alive is exactly why I keep making these.

Did you ever end up putting a paint job on it? If so, what kind of paint did you go with?

 

[Shiftless]

Just happened across this thread -- great work so far! and thank you for buying the screws I make/modify, peoples' projects keeping these classics alive is exactly why I keep making these.

Did you ever end up putting a paint job on it? If so, what kind of paint did you go with?

Hey FliesLikeABrick,
Thanks for posting. I see you don’t post very much and this is the first time I’ve “seen” you on GJ.
If you modify existing screws to fit our old vises, you might want to post over on the big vise thread or the vise parts wanted thread in order to get more business.
I have been collecting and restoring vises for about 10 years now and often run into the need for new screws. Do you have a website or a listing of screws you keep in stock or do you just do custom orders? Some of my vises are 100 years old so sometimes things get weird.

 

[Built To Work]

Just happened across this thread -- great work so far! and thank you for buying the screws I make/modify, peoples' projects keeping these classics alive is exactly why I keep making these.

Did you ever end up putting a paint job on it? If so, what kind of paint did you go with?

@FliesLikeABrick
I never did paint, but did use the screws.


Going to move it to a better workbench (that I scored for free) in my larger shed:

 

[2oolhound]

A lot of guys that don't paint will still paint a coat of BLO (boiled linseed oil) on it everywhere to prevent rust. It also looks really good.

 

[Built To Work]

Got my vice moved to it's new home. Also took an old ping pong table and re-purposed it as a workbench top.