Wilton C3 end cap missing

[Tarnished]

Picked up this C3 over the weekend and it is near perfect, but missing the end cap. (where do they all go?) I thought there was a vise repair sticky on here, but my search has been unsuccessful. I know that freeze plug is one option, but was looking for other solutions. Would appreciate any help.
Thanks.

 

[Mr. Brooks]

Believe this should work, I just ordered 4 to keep on hand.

That is if the ID of the back of the c3 is ~1.96.

 

[mtesh73]

Believe this should work, I just ordered 4 to keep on hand.

That is if the ID of the back of the c3 is ~1.96.

yep, that is what i used as well. almost a perfect fit, just need to crimp the inside flange a bit to achieve a "positive" fit.

i have heard others use the post cap for galvanized fence posts. both of these suggestions look more original than the freeze plug, IMO.

 

[drivesitfar]

Tarnished: the E Trailer is the first choice if it will fit and the chain link fence cap with a little work might do the job too and they are both curved as opposed to the freeze plugs that are flat.

if you are planning on taking that C3 apart you might want to put before and after pictures over on the Vise Repair 101 thread that needs a few more Wiltons and especially a big one like your C3. also on that thread a couple of our members have made nice revisions to the standard pins to get the vise nut out that you might want to do for future cleanings.

the link for the Vise Repair 101 thread is in my signature and it's not a sticky (yet) and it needs more of our awesome vise restorations on it and maybe it will be a great place to look for ideas if needed instead of searching for hours trying to find a fix or part.

 

[EOC_Jason]

I got a freeze plug from my local O'Reilleys... I just measured the diameter and looked in the catalog pages of the manufacturer for the right part #, then looked that up on O'Reilleys website to make sure they had it in stock.

If you want it curved more you can use a socket & ball bearing in a vise.

 

[Tarnished]

Believe this should work, I just ordered 4 to keep on hand.
That is if the ID of the back of the c3 is ~1.96.

Unfortunately Mr. Brooks, if I am reading it correctly, the ID of the C3 is 2-5/32 or 2.156. I like this idea, and will try looking for grease caps in 2.156 size.

I got a freeze plug from my local O'Reilleys... I just measured the diameter and looked in the catalog pages of the manufacturer for the right part #, then looked that up on O'Reilleys website to make sure they had it in stock.

If you want it curved more you can use a socket & ball bearing in a vise.

Thanks Jason,
The closest I could come to finding a freeze plug that would fit is a 2-1/8 plug. This will work, but may require a little tightening to keep it in place. Very doable but would prefer a more rounded back. Don't quite follow the socket & ball bearing in a vise. Could you explain a little further please.

 

[Tarnished]

Tarnished:
the link for the Vise Repair 101 thread is in my signature and it's not a sticky (yet) and it needs more of our awesome vise restorations on it and maybe it will be a great place to look for ideas if needed instead of searching for hours trying to find a fix or part.

Drivesitfar, I knew I had read this information somewhere, just couldn't remember where. Agree, it should be a sticky.
Not much to post as I won't be taking this one apart, other than removing jaw for cleaning and re-lube. Will go re-read your Repair 101 again.
Thanks for taking the time to post it.

 

[383 240z]

The vise I just fixed up was missing the end cap as well. I was planning on turning one on my lathe. You can see the re-build here: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=257334&highlight=keith+wilton

Can anybody tell me what model my vise is? If anybody wants to use the pics to make a rebuild thread for the Vise Repair 101 thread go right ahead. If you want more just ask. I blew primer and paint onto it today, hope to put it back together tomorrow. Of course I'll post pics of that as well. Keith

 

[Verg]

Hi tarnished,

I have the same model C3 as you and the same problem! ended up fitting a 2.125 freeze plug the back of my vise was not perfectly round so i had to do some very minor grinder work on the plug to get the perfect fit. I will snag some pictures of the plug installed so you can see how it looks. To help with your search you might want to try trailer/axle/hub grease or dust caps.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Thanks Jason,
The closest I could come to finding a freeze plug that would fit is a 2-1/8 plug. This will work, but may require a little tightening to keep it in place. Very doable but would prefer a more rounded back. Don't quite follow the socket & ball bearing in a vise. Could you explain a little further please.

I did this for a baby bullet, but I'm sure it would scale up just fine. You don't have to use a socket, if you have a piece of pipe the right diameter it would work too I would guess. Basically you stick that in a vise or press and the ball bearing will put the curve in the back.

 

[Fretters]

I did this for a baby bullet, but I'm sure it would scale up just fine. You don't have to use a socket, if you have a piece of pipe the right diameter it would work too I would guess. Basically you stick that in a vise or press and the ball bearing will put the curve in the back.

Copper is a good thing for the purpose too. Devilishly easy to shape once annealed. A bit of copper plumbing pipe annealed and cut lengthways gives a nice piece of small sheet to work from. Coupled with a wooden former and a ball pein hammer and there's nowt much to forming something suitable.

 

[Verg]

Here are the pics of my C3 with freeze plug installed. If i had to do it over again i would have ground the plug lip a bit thinner to sit a tad more flush. Vise is unfinished as it sits: still need to apply a little more primer before i paint.

 

[Tarnished]

Verg: Thanks for the pics. I think the freeze plug is the way to go. Cheap, easy to find, and possible to modify to correct fit. Yours will look just fine once you get the final paint on. What are you using for paint? Are you going to try for the greenish blue, or something more challenging?

EOC_Jason: Thanks. I'm with you now. Correct pipe, appropriate bearing (or bodywork hammer) and a little beating. Should be able to work out something acceptable.

Fretters: Hadn't thought of copper, but like you idea. Have done several things with sheets of roofing valley copper. Not to $$ and easy to work with. Might work out OK, Thanks.

 

[Verg]

Tarnished,

I am going to go with the rustolem hammered Verde green so it looks like stock. After looking in a ton of paint stores i ended up getting the Verde green off amazon for way too much money. the primer is just basic rustolem primer for metal. the 1780 next to the c3 will be some crazy color when i get around to it!

 

[ovaldash52]

Here is my C3 as found,missing the dust cover,and I'm using the one from E trailer expanding the inside flange a bit as you can see in the pictures.The cover was 1.96 and now is 2 1/8.Still working on it,need to file or grind a little more the edge of the lip to make a perfect fit.Very easy.I also have the freeze plug from O'Reillys but likes this better.

 

[ovaldash52]

This is going to be Rustoleum Hammered Light Blue, no verde green here.

 

[Zeus36]

Tarnished,

I am going to go with the rustolem hammered Verde green so it looks like stock. After looking in a ton of paint stores i ended up getting the Verde green off amazon for way too much money. the primer is just basic rustolem primer for metal. the 1780 next to the c3 will be some crazy color when i get around to it!

You can pick up single cans of Rustoleum hammered Verde Green paint on Amazon as an add on item or from eBay. Most eBay sales are with free shipping.

Here is the link for the Amazon site:
https://www.amazon.com/Rust-Oleum-7219830-Hammered-Finish-12-Ounce/dp/B001UE7MTW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497105974&sr=8-1&keywords=7219830


On eBay, search for: 7219830

(Hammered Metal Finish Spray Verde Green 12 Ounce by Rust Oleum)

Cheers,

Z.