Split washer woes

[maxhall1023]

Hey guys I'm refurbishing a small vise I got for free and I'm having a hell of a time getting this split washer off. I've tried a screwdriver to pry it open and my snap ring removal tool (actually snapped one of the ends off ) Is there an easier way to do this?

 

[48RON54]

Heat then pry? Should bend a little bit a whole lot easier once heated

 

[Dale B]

Yup , it's soft anyway , a little heat going on and off will make it easy . Just to dull red , not glowing.

 

[maxhall1023]

Think I was a little overzealous with the heat hopefully I can bend this back

 

[mybuick6]

nope go to a true value or ace and get a new one.

 

[finn]

Is that a split washer or a retaining ring of some sort?

 

[Hornman]

nope go to a true value or ace and get a new one.

That is a soft iron retaining ring. You are not going to find a replacement at True Value or Ace. With a little judicious hammer work you may be able to rehabilitate the ring you removed and reinstall it. Squeeze the ring into the groove with a pair of Vice Grips and hammer the ends of the ring into the groove with a hammer and punch.

 

[Cyberbear]

If you do heat the retaining ring to get it back in place, try rapidly quenching it with water.
It being soft steel, might be helped, especially since it was heated to remove it, which no doubt helped to soften or anneal it.