Parker vise question...

[Fugio]

Took this old Parker 63 1/2 apart to restore and had a question.

The dynamic jaw moves forwards and backwards about 1/8" without turning the screw. Is it supposed to have so much play in it? Or is it just worn?

If I need to tighten it up, does anyone know how to take the main screw out of it? The retaining washer seems to be welded on and I can't find any screws of anything to remove.

 

[454ragtop]

Couple spots that could cause that, could be play between the nut and screw, play where the nut is inserted in the main body, or play between the screw retainer and the dynamic jaw. Shouldn't be too hard to figure out where the play is with careful inspection.
Jim

 

[Fugio]

Oh it's really obvious. It's the play between the screw retainer and the dynamic jaw. But if I can't remove the main screw, I don't see how I'd fix it.

 

[balane]

Check how tight the main nut is inside the stationary jaw, and as mentioned the play of the spindle within the dynamic jaw. You're going to have to tear into this thing to isolate the cause of the play.

 

[BFBOB]

pretty easy to see whether it's play between the retainer-washer and the inside face of the dynamic jaw. If so, grind the retainer off - yep, many were welded at the factory! and replace it with a setscrew shaft collar. Snug it up as much as you like - maybe put a fiber washer between the collar and the jaw. If there's not enough room for a store-bought collar, well, you always wanted a lathe, riiiiight?

I have several of these neat vises, and one each of its larger and smaller sibling, an 83 and a 94. I think they're cute.

 

[Fugio]

grind the retainer off - yep, many were welded at the factory! and replace it with a setscrew shaft collar.
.

I removed the dynamic jaw with the main screw still attached. I can hold the main screw. and move it back and forth in the dynamic jaw. I think your solution here is the only way to fix it.

Or I could just paint it and leave it alone. I mean, it works fine this way. It just doesn't feel like the way it should be when new.

And I agree about it looking "cute." It's got an art-deco styling you don't see on many vices.

 

[Packard V8]

If so, grind the retainer off - yep, many were welded at the factory! and replace it with a setscrew shaft collar.

I've only examined a few Parkers, but never seen one welded. Has anyone else?

jack vines

 

[454ragtop]

Jack, I just realized this is the light duty art deco vise, currently have one apart myself, and yes, the washer/collar is tack welded to the main screw.
Jim

 

[Fugio]

So I guess I can just cut those tack welds, remove the retaining washer, the re-weld it when I'm done, eh?

So does yours fit tighter than mine? Or does yours also have 1/8" forward/backward motion like mine? I'm just wondering how much play to give it when I re-weld it.

 

[454ragtop]

I'll try to remember to take a look at mine tomorrow. Two thoughts, first is these were lower end homeowner vises, so 1/8" play sounds reasonable to me. Second is, I wonder if it could be tightened up by standing the dynamic jaw up on a block of wood under the end of the screw, and carefully tapping with a punch and hammer around the retainer to bend it down a little and tighten up the play? Note that I haven't actually tried this, just a thought I had. Cutting and rewelding should work also should you desire to go that route, which will also allow you to better clean up the various parts. I won't be cutting and rewelding mine, just planning to work around it.
Jim

 

[BFBOB]

So I guess I can just cut those tack welds, remove the retaining washer, the re-weld it when I'm done, eh?

So does yours fit tighter than mine? Or does yours also have 1/8" forward/backward motion like mine? I'm just wondering how much play to give it when I re-weld it.

NO! Don't re-weld it. Heat-stressing the screw is not a good thing. A plain ol' hardware store shaft collar of the right size is the way to go. (or McMaster-Carr). If it's too big and you don't have a lathe, put a nut and bolt on it, chuck it in a drill press and file it down to size. Tedious, but it works. If it's a lot too big, start by grinding, then finish on the drill press for appearance's sake. On the one I restored, there was little enough play that I just left it alone. A collar would be quite a bit thicker than the welded washer, but there's relief cut in the dynamic jaw that it fits into about 1/8". I think it would look better than the weld, which looks to me like a kludge. But if you're going for authenticity over function, the weld is "right".

 

[Fugio]

I'm thinking it wouldn't really heat stress the screw. I was gonna use the little HF wire welder and just barely touch it for a fraction of a second to drop a spot on it.

I looked at a collar for it, and I'll probably look again. I'm just not 100% certain if there's enough clearance.

 

[454ragtop]

Looked at mine, has no play to speak of, the smallest amount that would cause no drag on the screw. Retaining washer is held in with 2 minute tacks. Definitely would be easier to clean up the screw, especially the end where the handle goes thru, if it was out, but I managed to work around it.
Jim

 

[Fugio]

Ok thanks!

I took mine apart. There was just way too much play. I found 2 washers at ACE Hardware. They are 5/8" machine washer/bearing things that fit like they were made for it. I should have the whole thing put back together by tomorrow. The paint is looking amazing!