Vise Handles

[G-ManBart]

This may be covered in the million pages of the vise thread, but I'm not able to keep up with that now.

With Kevin retiring, is there anybody out there making replacement vise handles? I've had multiple people ask me about that lately and I don't have an answer to give them.

Anybody know of a source? Thanks!

 

[Packard V8]

They're so simple to make, is there really that much demand for replacements?

Just for keeping the conversation going, how much was 'Kevin' getting for his?

jack vines

 

[1982fxr]

They're so simple to make, is there really that much demand for replacements?

Just for keeping the conversation going, how much was 'Kevin' getting for his?

jack vines

It's also simple to clean the kitchen floor and bathroom but how many people pay someone else to do it?

 

[1982fxr]

Wilton was listing replacement handles recently.

I called several months ago and they didn't have any info then. They called them jack handles or Billy handles or something like that.

 

[lilredex]

Have to agree with Jack, they are simple to make.

In my case a 3/4" rod with pipe collars, one plug welded and the other pinned for easy removal in case something fancier comes along. So far, in forty years, nothing has.

 

[Slednut]

My SIL makes them for his own vises he's restoring, I don't know if he'd be up for making them for others.

 

[Shiftless]

That one looks fantastic. The ends are reminiscent of the Craftsman 519x models of the 1950s.

Could they be made in such a way that a guy like me with no welder could install them on an existing main screw?

I’m thinking at least one of the ends would be threaded to screw into a ball at the end.

 

[G-ManBart]

They're so simple to make, is there really that much demand for replacements?

Just for keeping the conversation going, how much was 'Kevin' getting for his?

jack vines

I have an lathe, and I can make a handle, but I don't have the time to start making them for others at this point so I was hoping to find a source. I'm not sure how many folks are looking for them, but I get the question through my blog/website pretty regularly. The folks contacting me seem to be looking for something close to what an OEM would make rather than some of the improvised handles even though those work fine.

I bought a couple of handles from Kevin before I had my current lathe. The last one I got from him was 9/16 diameter and maybe 12" long give or take....it was around $100 as I recall. He made them out of quality steel and did a great job of matching the knob size to the handle size so they looked just right...I think they were worth every penny. I don't know how much time it took him to make one, but I know paying anybody to make something like that at an hourly rate isn't going to be cheap.

I've also had to buy complete spindle/handle assemblies from Wilton for a few vises I fixed up and those run quite a bit more as I recall...in the $150 range.

 

[SweetD]

Ok I'll mention this guy again - great young machinist, very reasonable, has made vise parts for several folks on here; he made me a perfect main vise nut for a very rare vise solely from the handle/main screw I sent him in the mail.

https://ecmanufacturing.weebly.com/about-us.html

I'm sure Eric would be happy to speak with you about what you're looking for. He's a member here as well.

 

[tarbellb]

Buy the stock you need, then buy a couple of split shaft collars, done.

 

[G-ManBart]

Ok I'll mention this guy again - great young machinist, very reasonable, has made vise parts for several folks on here; he made me a perfect main vise nut for a very rare vise solely from the handle/main screw I sent him in the mail.

https://ecmanufacturing.weebly.com/about-us.html

I'm sure Eric would be happy to speak with you about what you're looking for. He's a member here as well.

Thanks!

 

[G-ManBart]

Buy the stock you need, then buy a couple of split shaft collars, done.

I'm actually not asking for me, I'm asking for folks who can't make their own and want something that looks OEM and are willing to pay for something a bit more polished.

 

[Shiftless]

I'm actually not asking for me, I'm asking for folks who can't make their own and want something that looks OEM and are willing to pay for something a bit more polished.

I’m one of those guys.
But the split collar idea is something to think about. These aren’t cheap, and certainly don’t match OEM, but they would look pretty cool on a modern vise.

 

[KMScott]

Wow really shift, don't go that route. Like everyone mentions they are easy to build. Here is how I build mine.

https://wiltonviseparts.wordpress.com/2017/04/07/replacing-your-bench-vise-handle/

 

[Shiftless]

Thanks for keeping me on the straight and narrow, Kevin.
What was I thinking??????


.

 

[lis2323]

Thanks for keeping me on the straight and narrow, Kevin.
What was I thinking??????


.

Shift. Another option would be to use SOLID shaft collars instead of split.



I think IF I were to go this route I would drill the set screw hole larger, plug weld it and grind smooth if necessary.

Plus depending on size they are only about a buck apiece. [emoji3]

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Shaft collars and pipe fittings?!?!

Sounds like amateur hour around here. I thought we joined this forum to talk tools-- nice tools, not some trail fix done with wrenches welded by a car battery and a coat hanger.

 

[Shiftless]

Shaft collars and pipe fittings?!?!

Sounds like amateur hour around here. I thought we joined this forum to talk tools-- nice tools, not some trail fix done with wrenches welded by a car battery and a coat hanger.

You’re absolutely right. I hereby pledge to never put together such a kludge of a vise handle. I like your term “trail fix”. Of course most of us has done an emergency repair that is not up to the museum quality work of a few of the GJ members. Hopefully, when you have the opportunity to re-do the job properly, the 12 volt coat hanger welds are ground off and done the right way.

I admit to having installed a piece of half inch galvanized pipe with a couple of caps onto a Reed 4C just in order to demonstrate the vise to a prospective buyer who said he likes to make new handles. (I bought the sad looking no handle, no swivel base as is for a flipper) He used the pipe handle to crank the vise open and closed to see the action before he paid.

 

[Shiftless]

Here’s something that looks like a “trail fix” handle on a Reed 403 1/2 R listed on eBay.


.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Hey Shiftless, that wasn't a jab at you, or anyone in particular. I was just talkin sh1t and having fun.

And yes Sir. Trail Fixes are ok for the trail, but we shall push ourselves to do exceedingly well once we are in the shop with the dogs, radio, and a cold one working on our passion and hobby.

 

[Steve_P]

Shaft collars and pipe fittings?!?!

Sounds like amateur hour around here. I thought we joined this forum to talk tools-- nice tools, not some trail fix done with wrenches welded by a car battery and a coat hanger.

Thank you! My thoughts exactly.

 

[lis2323]

Shaft collars and pipe fittings?!?!

Sounds like amateur hour around here. .

Yet it’s OKAY to paint the vise bodies and lettering like you were commissioned by Barnum and Bailey??


You guys crack me up [emoji23]

 

[Shiftless]

Hey Shiftless, that wasn't a jab at you, or anyone in particular. I was just talkin sh1t and having fun.

And yes Sir. Trail Fixes are ok for the trail, but we shall push ourselves to do exceedingly well once we are in the shop with the dogs, radio, and a cold one working on our passion and hobby.

No offense taken.
Fact is, I’m just now finishing a cold one. (It’s 5 o’clock in CA) I’ve got a really nice radio set up with 4 speakers and 200 watts, but the dog died a long time ago.

 

[AngryBeaver]

What kind of steel is everyone using for handles? i've got a few minty reeds I'm keeping and the spindle is enlarged just a tad for my liking. going to make some new handles and upsize them ever so slightly so they have a like new fit and finish.

 

[G-ManBart]

What kind of steel is everyone using for handles? i've got a few minty reeds I'm keeping and the spindle is enlarged just a tad for my liking. going to make some new handles and upsize them ever so slightly so they have a like new fit and finish.

Kevin always said 1144 CRS was the best. I was impressed with the couple he made me.

 

[Packard V8]

FWIW, I've made several vise handles from truck shock absorber rods; very high quality steel and often chrome plated. They can usually be had for free, where buying 1144 Stressproof can get spendy.

jack vines

 

[The Cobbler]

^^^ my buddy has used rods from struts too, they are nice hard steel

 

[zkling]

What kind of steel is everyone using for handles? i've got a few minty reeds I'm keeping and the spindle is enlarged just a tad for my liking. going to make some new handles and upsize them ever so slightly so they have a like new fit and finish.

Something in the 80ksi + yield range, 1144 is ~100ksi IIRC. You may be better off boring out and sleeving the spindle eye, unless they were just that sloppy from the factory that you can fit the next nominal bar size.

 

[Midwest Shop Supply]

This may be covered in the million pages of the vise thread, but I'm not able to keep up with that now.

With Kevin retiring, is there anybody out there making replacement vise handles? I've had multiple people ask me about that lately and I don't have an answer to give them.

Anybody know of a source? Thanks!

I just found your post here, and wondered if you've found a source for Vise handles? I make those if you are still in need, I have them on my website at www. midwestshopsupply .com

 

[designer485]

Go to McMaster and grab the length that you need of 17-4PH steel rod, a few 3-16 stainless shaft collars and some large diameter O-rings. Put everything together as shown in the photos, and boom, custom handle.

 

[Beerhippie]

All stainless--as that's mostly what you find in the boneyard of a brewery. The 304 is plenty strong enough for a notoriously not-strong Asian vise. I haven't broken the vise in almost thirty years of using it, but let's not push it! I also haven't bent the handle yet--but no cheater bars allowed.

The nuts are plug-welded from the end, then rounded using a drill and angle grinder. I could have made them more finished-looking, but it's a handle for a beater tool.

 

[seber]

McMaster sells tapped stainless balls. All you need is cut a thread on each end of a rod and screw it together.

 

[tarbellb]

Go to McMaster and grab the length that you need of 17-4PH steel rod, a few 3-16 stainless shaft collars and some large diameter O-rings. Put everything together as shown in the photos, and boom, custom handle.

Exactly what I did years ago, still holding up awesome and super easy to retro fit if needed. (found my handle stock on Ebay)