Remove Nut Pins From Wilton Vise?

[Roberts210]

I have Wilton 3-1/2 inch machinist vise that is one sad *******, and I need to remove the nut. But how to I get the pins out? Any suggestions?

 

[My Old Tools]

Pretty sure you can drive them through

 

[thehorse13]

I used a punch, a hammer and force. They pop out pretty easy but use a punch close to the diameter of the pins.

 

[1982fxr]

Lots of bodies get broken from those pins being messed with. If you don't actually need to remove it, don't.

This doesn't sound like it would work but I've done it. Allen wrench and hammer, drive them outward from the center.

 

[Roberts210]

I need the nut for a better vise that's missing its nut, but I want to save the casting.

 

[Maui]

Drive them out from the center as suggested above.

 

[wrenchr]

Videos on YouTube as well. But as suggested if not needed leave alone.

 

[wrenchr]

I restored a 3 inch bullet some years ago and it was in very bad shape but the nut and pins were secure so I left alone. The lower jaw support was long gone and I rebuilt that area it was so rough.

 

[SkyPuncher]

I used this guys advise on the last ones I removed.

 

[Roberts210]

Wow. Just... WOW. Thank you SkyPuncher! I watched most of that video, went out to the barn and dragged in the 3-1/2 inch Wilton casting. I set it up on top my wood stove to warm up a bit. But I couldn't wait, got the allen wrench and a small ball pein hammer and got those suckers out in 5 minutes! WOO HOO.

 

[Roberts210]

OK, got the 3-1/2 nut out.

Next is a Wilton 5 inch machinist vise that I'm trying to fix. I got one of the nut pins out pretty easily using SkyPuncher's video tips. But the other one is broken off. The nut itself slid right out, but now I'm trying to get the pin out and man alive is it ever stuck. With the nut out I can stick a 3/16ths drill bit through one pin hole, and line it up with the pin, but all efforts at driving the pin out have failed. Any tips for this one? And where can I get new pins?

 

[Davefr]

I'd put the vise in a freezer overnight and when you're ready, I'd heat the area surrounding the pin with a propane torch. Instead of using a drill bit I'd use a long drive punch with the largest O.D. that will go into the pin's cavity. I'd also try drooling some penetrant into the inner cavity. Don't get too aggressive on brittle cast iron. (taps vs beats) I might also start with a couple taps from the outside to try and get some initial movement. You'll probably have to make a new pin out of drill rod or if you want to spline it on the end, use mild steel rod. I'd probably size the pin for an easy fit and use Lock Tite.

 

[SkyPuncher]

Hey Roberts210, this write up might be of use to you and your vise.

Those Pesky Wilton End Cap Pins

I see older Wilton vises fairly often where it looks like the end cap pins kept working themselves out. On some the owner welded them to the static jaw support. I have a simpler and mor…

benchviserestoration.com

 

[Roberts210]

Thanks Dave. Since it will be in the 20's tonight, I'll try it tomorrow with the propane torch. Part of the problem is the pin on that side was mangled as it looks like someone tried to stake it in place from the outside.

Thanks for that SkyPuncher. I might do his fix.

 

[Roberts210]

I ended up drilling it out using an 1/8th, then 3/16ths, then 1/4 inch drill. We shall see how it goes on the reassembly.

 

[Roberts210]

I just ordered some 1-1/2" by 5/16ths set screws to go the BenchViseRestoration route.

 

[SkyPuncher]

Keep us up to date on how it goes!

 

[Roberts210]

Will do. Thanks again SkyPuncher, for the link. I think the hardest part will be tapping the Wilton body to 5/16-18.