Welcome to GJ! I don't think there is a way to remove the ends of the handle without cutting it. Personally, I have straightened a few vise handles by heating up and hammering them. Once I'm done, I am able to polish out most hammer marks with a belt sander. Other times I just buy a new piece of rod and thread the ends for a large nut and sand it down close to the original shape. You may get some better input if you post it over on the vise repair thread. Good luck!Hi - I just picked up a Reed 204R vise that I am refurbishing. The handle is bent and has a fair bit of rust pitting and hammer marks. I would like to remove the handle so I can get a better job with straightening and polishing. Does anyone know how the ball ends were installed and if there is a non-destructive way to remove either of them. One is tight and the other has some play and spins freely. Thanks for any advice or suggestions you can provide.
Joe
1155? Or did you mean 1144?Reed peened the handle knobs in place like most vise makers. You can drill a 1/2” hole about 1/4 of the way through and apply heat to see the witness line of the peened area or just make a new handle out of 1155 Cold formed CRS bought from McMaster Carr. I wrote a blog on how I make mine that might give you pointers. Good luck. Kevin
https://wiltonviseparts.wordpress.com/2017/04/07/replacing-your-bench-vise-handle-2/
Yes, meant 1144. ***** getting old. Fixed.1155? Or did you mean 1144?