Yet another Wilton Bullet vise restoration thread...

[Redboy]

WOOT! I'm in the Wilton club!

I got this grubby single-owner vise from eBay the other day. Underneath the flaking paint and the skim of rust, it looked to be in good condition.

As purchased. I wish it had a swivel base, but... it doesn't. Oh, well.

 

[Redboy]

I started the process with Zip-Strip. I've always used Zip-Strip for paint removal, but MAN this stuff is... toxic warfare-y. :-/

 

[Redboy]

I ran out of Zip-Strip, but there was still work to do...

 

[Redboy]

Sick of the noxious Zip-Strip high, I decided to try something else.

My local hardware store stocks 3M Safest Stripper Paint & Varnish Remover, so I thought I'd give that a whirl. It's Earth-friendly green stuff compared to the Zip, but when you're used to the instant gratification of nuclear powered chemicals, it requires a real shift in gears. Wait time is hours, not minutes, and ultimately required two applications. But I like the stuff, and will probably use it again.

Here's where it sits now.

 

[Redboy]

Stay tuned for more exciting updates - the next step should be fun...

Just add water and electricity!

 

[ADSR]

great start!

 

[garthg]

It didn't look like it had much rust on it at all. Was electrolysis necessary?

Does KScott or other GJ expert have a swivel base you could add?

 

[Redboy]

It didn't look like it had much rust on it at all. Was electrolysis necessary?

Does KScott or other GJ expert have a swivel base you could add?

Not sure if it's necessary, but I have been looking for an excuse to try this...

If nothing else, it'll help me sleep better at night knowing that I've de-rusted the inside of the main body, where I can't quite get with the steel wool and such.

 

[ovrrdrive]

What catalyst are you going to use for the electrolysis?

I scored a few pieces of train track last week that I wanted to do it on. Please post a bunch of pics. Thx.

 

[exmaxima1]

Not sure if it's necessary, but I have been looking for an excuse to try this...

If nothing else, it'll help me sleep better at night knowing that I've de-rusted the inside of the main body, where I can't quite get with the steel wool and such.

Those parts are so clean, I would not use the electrolysis. They will turn black and lose the nice patina you already have. Give it a BLO finish, and you are good to go for the next 40 years....

 

[Redboy]

What catalyst are you going to use for the electrolysis?

I scored a few pieces of train track last week that I wanted to do it on. Please post a bunch of pics. Thx.

Just washing soda and water, per a bunch of YouTube videos on the subject. Got some rebar pieces for the anodes.

Those parts are so clean, I would not use the electrolysis. They will turn black and lose the nice patina you already have. Give it a BLO finish, and you are good to go for the next 40 years....

I've got to say, that's a tempting idea... I'm a big fan of patina; It feels much more "authentic" than a fresh, shiny cost of paint!

 

[cgrutt]

Very nice. I just picked one up and will be trying to restore it soon. Looks like its coming out great so far. Good luck!

 

[Redboy]

Well,this one's pretty much done!

I took exmaxima1's advice and did a hand-rubbed BLO finish on it, and am very pleased with how it turned out! Love that patina... I'm not sure if you can see in the pics, but there's a slight hint of the original paint color in there.

 

[cgrutt]

Looks awesome nice job!

 

[T45]

Nice works

 

[Redboy]

A couple more shots from the process...

Date is faint... I think it says '68, maybe.

I noticed some numbers on the inside, too. Are these part numbers or dates? I assume part numbers.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Looks good, how did you apply the linseed oil, just rub it on and done? I got a few vises that need some paint but I tend to lose interest once I get half way done cleaning off rust or stripping paint. This looks like a good way to save me the trouble of painting.

 

[Redboy]

Looks good, how did you apply the linseed oil, just rub it on and done? I got a few vises that need some paint but I tend to lose interest once I get half way done cleaning off rust or stripping paint. This looks like a good way to save me the trouble of painting.

Hey Ace, yeah - just rub it on with a cloth. Once it was stripped, I hit it with a bit of naval jelly to clear any residual rust. After a good rinse, it went into the oven for a couple hours at low temp to dry (wife not impressed ) and then, while it was still warm I applied the BLO.