Prentiss vise crack...

[dumper]

I have a Prentiss Bulldog 4" vise with 2 small cracks, as shown- it appears the prior owner may have been using the top and/or slide as an anvil. Question is, would you still use this vise? The cracks do not telegraph beyond the thickness of the rear piece of casting in both cases. I clamped a 2 foot piece of 2X4 and yanked on it- the cracks do not grow in size. I use this vise for lightweight general use. So, keep using it, or off to the scrap yard?

This is the first vise that I have owned that is a direct-mount- no swivel base- and I really like how solid it feels, cracks and all! Thanks.

 

[rusty65]

I would fill in the cracks before using it hard.

 

[Outlawmws]

Stop drill the cracks and heat the parts in an oven for an hour of so as near to 500 deg as you can get, then braize. Have some preheated sand to buy them in to cool slowly.

You may want to grind a SMALL, groove at the cracks for filler braize to go into. Then file any excess flat.

After that, I'd say ready for anything.

 

[SweetD]

The crack in the rear of the slide is somewhat common and should not effect performance.

The crack in the main body could be a little more problematic, but if you are just a hobbyist doing relatively light "vise-ing" of stuff, I don't think it will give you a problem.

Whatever happens, DO NOT scrap the whole vise. It can be parted out for sure - that is a relatively common awesome old Prentiss and the parts are worth something to people for sure.

Good luck!

Dave

 

[brianpgriset]

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=113357

See thread above. I repaired a rock island 573 with the exact same crack; still holding strong.

 

[bigcaddy]

My No. 57 and Monarch, both made by Prentiss, have the same cracks. One was repaired but the other i've left alone. I don't have the time to fix them now, but when i do, i will be doing exactly what Outlaw said.

I've repaired bicycle frames with braising rod and they see much more stress then a vise does. It holds up very well!

 

[Bryan Burns]

The crack in the rear of the slide is somewhat common and should not effect performance...

Dave

Exactly right. My Prentiss has had the same slide crack for decades and I use the vise several times a week and it's as if it's not even there.