Need help with a Father's Day Vise project

[drb007]

I posted this in the Vises of Garage Journal, but wanted to ask for some serious help on this one, so I am posting it separate too.

This is an old woodworking vise that was in the shop when my dad used to teach. He was able to get the vise from the school, and it sat in his basement of his old farmhouse for a couple of decades. After a few floodings, the thing was pretty nasty. He tossed it in the scrap pile one day as he was in a bad mood
His neighbor salvaged it and painted it orange, but it is still pretty rough and the dog is stuck hard. When he saw it cleaned up and was in a better mood, dad asked the neighbor if he could buy it from him as it did have sentimental value. Being a good guy, the neighbor gave it to him.

As Father's Day is around the corner, and my dad is finally retired and getting to build his own wood shop, I thought it would be nice if I could blast the orange off and get everything working again. I would like to do the clean metal finish like the one posted 3 above, but need suggestions on how to do that.
There are no markings on the vise except for 10B. Likely just a casting mark. If anyone has ANY idea on what this is, age, brand, original color, etc, I would REALLY appreciate the help!

 

[Outlawmws]

I'd get that thing apart as far as you easily can, and get it into an Electrolysis bath for a day or two. Then see what if any markings you can find. you should get most if not all of the paint off, as well as the rust.

You may need to wire wheel a couple of spots for the steel wire you will hang it with in the E- bath so you get good contact.

 

[drb007]

Will the ebath take the paint off too? I was going to bead blast it...

 

[darkk]

Bead blast it. Quiker, easier and it will get everything of first shot.

 

[Outlawmws]

Will the ebath take the paint off too? I was going to bead blast it...

In my experience generally yes. The only paint that ever seems to stick is original paint that had perfect surface preparation. it that prep was anything less than perfect, and the paint shoot anything less than perfect, it comes off. I did one vise and the rattle can re-paint job came off in solid sheets and the removed paint looked like it had been skinned off.

It is a not abrasive process and removes nothing except rust and usually any paint.

Bead blast it. Quiker, easier and it will get everything of first shot.

bead blasting is an abrasive process, and this changes the surface finish of the metal, and where any bare steel is supposed to show looks like the surface is fogged or something. A machined surface has a certain look and feel to it, and bead blasting removes that with everything else.

Personally, I hate the lokk of bead blasted surfaces.

 

[drb007]

I agree about media blasting, but in this case I think it is ok. The vise was badly rusted and it appears to have been wire brushed by hand and painted. I wire brushed (power) it and got most of the scale and orange off and then bead (not sand) blasted it to get it totally clean. It is rough, but much better. However, the two swivel handles are still rusted solid, as is the dog. If I can get those moving I'll be happy.

 

[drb007]

I managed to get the vise done in time for Father's Day. He seemed pretty happy with it, though the paint was still curing
It turned out ok given how rough it was. Getting the dog out was a beast!

 

[bigcaddy]

That vise looks great! I know what you mean when you say freeing up the dog was a *****. I restored a Craftsman 10" wood working vise that a friend had sitting in his horse corral for 20+ years. Why i was sitting there ill never know but to say it had rust issues would be a major understatement.

Lots of heat and penetrating oil finally made it say uncle

 

[Outlawmws]

Nice job!

 

[BuckHenry]

Nice job!

x1 Great Father's Day present!

 

[drb007]

Thanks guys!

 

[Catalyze]

Great effort and nice outcome! It will last a very long time thanks to you.
Craig