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Wilton Vise WORN!

Broadie

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Feb 23, 2010
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So I finally scored an older Wilton Vise. It seemed to be in fine working order, other than being a little sloppy. I tore it apart and found that where the screw seats in behind the horseshoe collar, both the vise body and the screw are worn thin. I've seen where others completely remake a new screw shaft, but any suggestions how to fix the body? It's worn to less than a 1/16" inch thick. Can it be Built up with weld?

Thanks!
 

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Mr. Wonderful

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Broadie,

Sorry about your luck with the vise. The main screw collar can be built up with weld and then turned down on a lathe. The dynamic jaw would be a lot more difficult. You may want to post over on the vise repair thread for advice from the more skilled members. Do you have access to machine tools? What part of Alaska are you in?
 

Shiftless

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I share your pain. Most of us have bought vises or other used tools and upon closer inspection, have found serious problems.
That’s an incredible amount of wear. Difficult to repair. How much are you into with that vise? You might be able to recoup most or all of your “investment” if you part it out.
Is that a 4 inch wide jaws model? Is the base in good condition?
 
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wrenchr

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Wow that is worn out. I would keep an eye out for another spindle on ebay. Even a parts vise on craigslist.
 

Shiftless

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Wow that is worn out. I would keep an eye out for another spindle on ebay. Even a parts vise on craigslist.
True
But look at that deep pocket worn into the dynamic jaw support. I think that short of some really skilled welder/machinist who works for WAY below the going rate, that vise is just about completely worn out and destined to be parted out. Too bad the previous user didn’t treqt it better and lubricate the friction points. I wonder what the main screw and threads look like.
 

wrenchr

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True
But look at that deep pocket worn into the dynamic jaw support. I think that short of some really skilled welder/machinist who works for WAY below the going rate, that vise is just about completely worn out and destined to be parted out. Too bad the previous user didn’t treqt it better and lubricate the friction points. I wonder what the main screw and threads look like.
The edges are sharp would be my guess. Over in the tool discussion there is that vise lube thread. I always lube mine up. I just bought a used C0 wilton and you could feel the friction when opening and closing. I took the spindle out and it was bone dry, greased it up and buttery smooth now.
 
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Mr. Wonderful

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The edges are sharp would be my guess. Over in the tool discussion there is that vise lube thread. I always lube mine up. I just bought a used C0 wilton and you could feel the friction when opening and closing. I took the spindle out and it was bone dry, greased it up and buttery smooth now.
I could not believe how many said they use nothing on their vises! There's no way they could think that would be better.
 

G-ManBart

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Ouch...that's been seriously neglected for a long time. I can't tell if it's a C0 or a C1 from the pics, but it's definitely a C-series vise. The spindle is the worst I've seen, and I've seen some bad ones! That isn't a terribly hard job to build back with weld and then turn a new groove, but that would also mean cutting the handle off, which would have to be replaced or welded back together.

In theory the dynamic could be carefully built up by someone who really knows what they're doing TIG welding ductile iron, then machined back to specs, but it would probably cost more than the vise is worth if you're paying normal welding/machining rates, especially after you stack that on top of the spindle repair.

I think I have a dynamic and matching spindle/handle assembly from a C1 in my parts stash, but I'd have to check. The problem with a new dynamic is that there's no guarantee the jaws will line up properly. Wilton machined the sides of the jaw supports and the jaws as an assembled unit to make them perfect and this was long before CNC made things repeatable. There's a really good chance a different dynamic would be canted slightly right or left. A machinist can fix that by making an offset key for the dynamic, but again we're talking an expensive proposition.
 
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Broadie

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Thanks for all the advice. Jaws are 4 1/2". Base and everything else seem to be in fine shape. It's also missing the end cap. I got it for next to nothing at a garage sale, so I'm not out much $$. I do have access to a lathe and vertical mill. I thought about making a thick "washer" and welding it in, and then on the screw building with weld and turning on the lathe.
 

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wrenchr

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Thanks for all the advice. Jaws are 4 1/2". Base and everything else seem to be in fine shape. It's also missing the end cap. I got it for next to nothing at a garage sale, so I'm not out much $$. I do have access to a lathe and vertical mill. I thought about making a thick "washer" and welding it in, and then on the screw building with weld and turning on the lathe.
If I had that access then I would for sure go after it. Please update your progress!!
 

Moldyjim

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If it was mine, I'd make up a stepped washer above a seat for it in the jaw. On the screw, a similar thing, but that would mean getting the handle off.

You could cut one end off close to the ball, when press fit a new ball on the end. It would be a little shorter, but...

A washer/seat on the screw could be a press fit on the screw, holding pressure would put it in compression, the press fit would only have to overcome the friction from opening.
 
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