Need the vise experts

[maduro80]

Hi, I'm new...first post. Been lurking for a few months, love this forum! Picked up this vise today on CL for $75, came with another smaller Columbian that's in rough shape, but I was only really interested in the Starrett. It's a 924, with swivel base. Which is my first question, I can only find info on 924 1/2's online...what's the difference? It also seems the swivel base might be a rare bird? It only has one swivel adjustment as you can see in the pics. Is this correct, or am I missing one side? I plan to restore/paint her and give her a proper home on my bench.

[/url]Untitled by maduro.80, on Flickr[/IMG]
Untitled by maduro.80, on Flickr

 

[Cope]

Looks like one is missing. Nice vise either way.

 

[Outlawmws]

Get it apart to verify, but it looks like you will need a carriage bolt (Hardware store) and a lock nut (make or E-prey)

Some simply had a simple carraige bolt and nut for keeping it close but not tight.

It's probably an older vise from back when they made endless sizes and varieties of vises...

 

[mtesh73]

I am pretty sure one is missing. the 924 is a 4" wide jaw, the 924 1/2 is 4 1/2". that is an excellent vise you have there and you did good on the price.

 

[Outlawmws]

ps paint (if original) almost looks like blue speckle paint, if so, probably late 50's early 60's

 

[maduro80]

Thank's guys! I'm pretty happy with the price I paid, especially since I got another vise with the deal! I was not able to find pics of others online with the swivel base, by looking at the bottom it does appear it might just need a carriage bolt. If anyone has the swivel base and could confirm, that would be awesome. I'll be sure to put some pics in the vise thread when I bring her back to life.

 

[bluebolt]

Don't forget to post pics of the Columbian some of us need parts!

 

[rlitman]

That there is a NICE vise at a you **** price!
Yeah, it's missing one of the swivel locks. Not too big a deal though.

 

[va.grouseman]

Here is a NOS 925 on E-bay that only has one lock down and looks like one plug.---But this doesn't really verify anything as the age difference of the vises may be a factor.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-NOS-ST...1?pt=BI_Tool_Work_Holding&hash=item27e4aeede9

 

[oldldh]

Nice 4" vise...

I have a Starrett 925...

If you look on Ebay you can find several NOS Starretts for sale...

926.......$ 1,125.00
925C..........712.50
923C..........487.50

You got your's at a very good price...

Ya Dun Gud, Bubba!!!

 

[exmaxima1]

My Athol 924 only has one lockdown, but it only has one hole as well.

The base on that Starrett looks to be a universal style, with 3 mounting holes for use without the swivel. Similar to newer Morgan Milwaukee vises. I think you need just one lockdown, but you have the option of lefty or righty.

 

[Cope]

My Athol 924 only has one lockdown, but it only has one hole as well.

The base on that Starrett looks to be a universal style, with 3 mounting holes for use without the swivel. Similar to newer Morgan Milwaukee vises. I think you need just one lockdown, but you have the option of lefty or righty.

I think you're right. I recall the Craftsman tool catalog showing the Columbian made machinist vise in a stationary model with an optional swivel base. The hole would be for one of the bolts.

 

[jrobb316]

I have the same vise. It's in my storage unit right now, I can snap a pic tomorrow if it helps you. Nice price, I paid a similar fee for mine. The paint is original, I intend to try and match the original color when I get around to restoring mine.

Edit: I found a pic. Mine is not a swivel.

 

[maduro80]

Thanks guys! Tore it down last night. I'm pretty sure there is suposed to be only one lockdown. You can see the pic of the one side where the taper of the lockdown has worn into the base, not present on the other side. The way the swivel is designed with "teeth" when tightened, it holds incredibly solid without much force on the lockdown, I'm impressed! Any advice on getting that pin out that retains the main nut? I beat on it pretty good with a punch and hammer, didn't budge. I may try to get it into my press and give that a go. Once that's out it time to strip and paint! Any color suggestions? I saw a few pics done in light blue with white raised letters that looked pretty good.

 

[zkling]

Nice vise, looks to be in good condition too. I really like the style of those Starretts.

 

[drivesitfar]

Maduro: that pin holding the vise nut should pop out when hitting with your punch on it from below. I know some vises have threads in their pins and i wouldn't be surprised if a Starrett vise had some. that pin just looks like it should pop out though.

do you have an Kroil to maybe seep in the cracks around the pin to maybe loosen it up a bit? then a few taps with your punch and hammer might do the job.

since you are dealing with a cast vise you might want to be careful putting it in a press. i know some have had success and i've seen some pretty sad breaks too.

good luck

 

[Fretters]

As DIF said, that should just punch out. One thing to do first is just tap the nut lightly away from that pin. It may be that the nut has embedded into the pin somewhat, and may be acting as a retainer on it. A parallel punch and a smart tap should remove that pin though.

If it still refuses to shift though, I'd just leave it as is and work around it.

 

[EOC_Jason]

My 924-1/2 isn't a swivel base, but the right side has that tapered hole like yours which is meant for if there was a lock-down.

A lot of late model vises use a common casting for static & swivel vises. The three holes can be used to mount it without a swivel base, but at the same time you can use a swivel base with the same design.

You typically don't see dual lock-downs on these later models until you get to a 5" or 6" size. I've seen original swivels where they simply put a cap in the other side.

 

[maduro80]

Thanks for the advise fellas! I am a bit worried about using the press, I'll try soaking it and tapping some more. The nut is moving around a bit, so that's not the hold up. Gotta get it out tonight, my buddy is gonna media blast it for me tomorrow.

 

[drivesitfar]

Maduro: if you don't have any Kroil yet even a few shots of WD 40 to seep in and soak for a couple hours or so might help. also a few taps from above to get it started before you hit it out from down below.

like Fretters said if it's not coming out then leave it and do the best cleaning you can with it still in place.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Thanks for the advise fellas! I am a bit worried about using the press, I'll try soaking it and tapping some more. The nut is moving around a bit, so that's not the hold up. Gotta get it out tonight, my buddy is gonna media blast it for me tomorrow.

Wish I took pictures of my pin after I got it out. They crimp the pin to expand it, so it is a SOB to get out. Also there is the whole thickness of the base that it is wedged in there good with.

I used an old bolt that I ground to the right diameter and a mini-sledge and just beat the ever-living **** out of it. It fought me all the way until it was 100% out. And mine wasn't even rusty or anything, it's just a hella-tight fit.

When you put it back in you will probably want to do it from the top so you don't have to fight with trying to get all the rest of the pin through.

 

[jakemac]

If you're trying to drive it from the bottom up, the end of the pin may be mushroomed and won't let the head of the pin contract to squeeze back through the hole.

Try using a sacrificial screwdriver and lay it on the top of the pin inside. You can try whacking the shaft of the screwdriver to drive the pin down through the hole enough to get access to the mushroomed part. Then you can file the mushroomed part and drive the pin back out the other way.

 

[Fretters]

If you're trying to drive it from the bottom up, the end of the pin may be mushroomed and won't let the head of the pin contract to squeeze back through the hole.

Try using a sacrificial screwdriver and lay it on the top of the pin inside. You can try whacking the shaft of the screwdriver to drive the pin down through the hole enough to get access to the mushroomed part. Then you can file the mushroomed part and drive the pin back out the other way.

The other way would be to centre punch the bottom of that pin and just drill into it slightly with a gnats oversize, in regard to the pin, bit. That'd either weaken or remove the mushroomed portion, if that's the cause.

 

[maduro80]

I gave up on that pin, It's been there for 50 years, it can stay there. Just got it back from media blasting, came out great! Now I must decide on paint or polish and leave bare.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Make sure you clean the threads on both the spindle and the nut inside REAL good... Any media in there makes it feel grity when turning...

 

[oldldh]

And one can't have a "gritty feeling"...

When one is screwing in and out...

Can one???

(BTW---My 925 has a "Beveled" out mounting hole on the right side...)

 

[maduro80]

At this rate I might have this project done by x-mas! I did manage to polish my rod and knob the other night Now it's paint time. What do you guys think for color? I think I might go red with white lettering.

BTW, here's a pic of the Columbian I scored with this deal. Got her all cleaned up as well, gonna paint it and give it to my buddy for x-mas. The handle was mangled, brought it back to straight with the shop press. Any body know where I could score some new jaws for this one, the ones that were on it are in pretty rough shape?

 

[jakemac]

On that Columbian, you should be able to flip the jaws over and re-mount them with the good smooth side out.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Whoa Whoa Whoa... This is a family forum... let's keep that talk about polishing your rod & knob to yourself!

I did my Starrett a dark blue with white lettering, it really turned out great. I could picture red just as well... I'm glad I went with white lettering instead of black, the white really makes it pop.

At this rate I might have this project done by x-mas! I did manage to polish my rod and knob the other night Now it's paint time. What do you guys think for color? I think I might go red with white lettering.

 

[jakemac]

Your rod and knob are dark blue with white lettering !!!!!

Is the lettering there so you don't forget what it is ?

 

[Prairewalker]

I have a Starret 923 1/2 with a swivel base. I purchased it new in the mid 1980's I think.
It came with one swivel lock.

(As an aside, years ago while passing through Athol Massachusetts on vacation I went up to the factory entrance and talked to the security personnel. My efforts were rewarded with an offer of a tour. I readily accepted the private tour of the factory accompanied by a journeyman machinist no less. I am still amazed by what I saw of the manufacturing processes and remember fondly the privilege some 30 years later. Especially the men and women who took the time to proudly explain the process of their work station.)