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269445 | Kirk Eppler | 2019‑11‑25 | Mechanic's Vise Rehab |
Gathered Galoots Couple of years back, I bought a Reed 203-1/2 vise (swivel base, 3-1/2" jaws, 38#) for cheap, relatively clean by Coastside standards, very little rust. I thought it was ready to use as it worked ok after giving it a bit of lube. Mounted it to an existing cabinet, with an extra layer of 3/4" plywood under the top for added strength. Didn't use or abuse it much, tapping a backsaw plate into its back after retoothing and resharpening was the highlight of interest to this group. Cutting metal shapes, PVC pipe etc, no real stress on the vise. But, it seemed like every time I wanted to use it for a large opening job, the mechanism was sticky, so I'd put a drop or two of oil on it, in a couple of spots, and it would be fine, until the next job. I had joined Garage Journal a while back, and took advantage of their accumulated expertise. Took the vise apart, but had to wait for a Drag Link Socket (giant 1-1/4" screwdriver) to get the swivel apart, probably the toughest part of the job. While the outside of the vise looked reasonably clean and happy, the inside was gross. I think the previous owner lubed it regularly while it was in use, but never cleaned out the accumulated crud beforehand. After I took the slide out and exposed the screw, I was using a cold chisel to scrape goo off that had the consistency of soft asphalt, or old roofing tar. Similarly with the swivel and the main nut, lots of dried grossness. Once it was all apart, I soaked it in Simple Green, piece by piece, until everything was reasonably clean. The black paint had bits of red under it, and a more uniform coat of grey paint under that, guessing the original color. Couple of pieces got an initial soak to clean up the gross underside, and subsequent soaks of the whole piece weren't enough to remove the ring where the air liquid interface was. Kinda bummed about that, as I didn't plan on repainting it, but simply giving it a quick coat of BLO. The back end of the slide had been hammered on at various times in its previous life, so I took a few passes with a couple of different files to even out the dings, remove some sharp edges, etc., but I didn't try to take it back to new smoothness. It has a production date of 157 (older than me), stamped on both jaws, and an E and L stamped into the fixed and moving jaws respectively, but no idea what they mean. The main handle was bent into a shallow S, the swivel into an old style J. Got them both straight enough, but not quite perfect. The whole thing, except for mating surfaces (where the jaw slides, or the swivel pivots), all got BLO, even the innards, to prevent rust in my oh so dry environment. I used a pair of 500W halogen lamps, and a portable hot air source to warm things up post SG bath, and pre and post BLO application to try to speed the drying process. Things I learned at GJ included removing the retaining collar for the main screw with a small drift, using Simple Green as a paint remover, types of grease to use, how to safely straighten handles, and other fun goodies. Also that my existing little Craftsman 4" vise is a joke, but I suspected that already. Here is a before pic https://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/Mechanic-Tools/Reed-2035-Vise-Rehab/ And here is an after, not much visible difference. But it works with one finger through the whole 6" + opening, both opening and closing. The dynamic jaw wiggles a bit over the throw, but not too bad. https://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/Mechanic-Tools/Reed-2035-Vise-Rehab/i-bKHS32T The biggest disappointment (bigger than the bathtub ring) is the finish on the main screw handle, and the swivel lock system. I suspect they may have been chromed at some time in their life, but the resulting surface after cleaning was disappointing. I tried various spinning demon wire wheels, which resulted in minimal improvement, as did Simichrome. I may try cold gun bluing later if it still bugs me. For those who want the details on all the grossness that was cleaned out, check out the interim pix. https://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/Mechanic-Tools/Reed-2035-Vise-Rehab/i-gsfqbzh Total time for this project, under 2 months. Total working hours?, let's not talk about that in polite company please. -- Kirk Eppler in Half Moon Bay, CA, who has another saw plate to put back, once I make new wooden jaws for the vise. |
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269446 | Ed Minch <ruby1638@a...> | 2019‑11‑25 | Re: Mechanic's Vise Rehab |
Looks like a winner now - of course it looked like a winner before. Ed Minch > On Nov 25, 2019, at 11:16 AM, Kirk Eppler via OldTools |
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269447 | Chuck Taylor | 2019‑11‑25 | Re: Mechanic's Vise Rehab |
Kirk, Very nice rehab job! I'm impressed! I wouldn't have thought that there would be so much to clean up in a vise! You mentioned getting it to work a bit better after some lubrication. But the major part of your restoration appears to be un-doing years of improper lubrication. That raises a question in my mind: What's the most appropriate lubricant for a vise, and how should it be applied? Chuck Taylor north of Seattle |
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269448 | "yorkshireman@y..." <yorkshireman@y...> | 2019‑11‑25 | Re: Mechanic's Vise Rehab |
Can’r speak exactly for vices, but powdered graphite make a mighty good lubricant for metal on metal. I use it exclusively on the threads of a chuck (circular vice-like thing Paddy) that self tightens when in use spinning big chunks of timber against me digging in a gouge . I used to curse at the way it tightened up, but avoided any oil, especially on the scroll and jaws, becasue that would get thrown off at me, and into the work. Graphite is my friend for that job. Richard Wilson Yorkshireman Galoot |
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269449 | Kirk Eppler | 2019‑11‑25 | Re: Mechanic's Vise Rehab |
This is pretty true. Graphite is a great lube, as Yorkshireman says, when you don't want it all over you or things nearby. Lock cylinders work well with graphite, keeps oil out of your pocket. Most any lube will work for a vise, it isn't too picky. But the accumulation of crud (sawdust, swarf, metal grit) in the grease is the problem. I used bicycle dry chain lube on the bottom of the slide and its mating surface. For the screw and the swivel plate and its screw, I used white lithium grease, as these are pretty well protected from dust. The main screw in the movable jaw got some 3 in 1 oil, as there is a port on the right front for that, and I suspect will need occasional refreshing.. In the back of the slide, just visible in the after picture, is a hole where some grease could be gotten to the screw, if you had a long nosed dispenser. In heavy use, it is suggested to disassemble and clean and re-lube a vise annually. I should be good for another 30 years before I need to do it again, unless I start doing a bunch of metal work, creating metal dust, etc. On Mon, Nov 25, 2019 at 9:36 AM yorkshireman@y... < yorkshireman@y...> wrote: > Can’r speak exactly for vices, but powdered graphite make a mighty good > lubricant for metal on metal. I use it exclusively on the threads of a > chuck (circular vice-like thing Paddy) that self tightens when in use > spinning big chunks of timber against me digging in a gouge . > I used to curse at the way it tightened up, but avoided any oil, > especially on the scroll and jaws, becasue that would get thrown off at me, > and into the work. Graphite is my friend for that job. > > > > On 25 Nov 2019, at 17:01, Chuck Taylor via OldTools < > oldtools@s...> wrote: > > > You mentioned getting it to work a bit better after some lubrication. > But the major part of your restoration appears to be un-doing years of > improper lubrication. That raises a question in my mind: What's the most > appropriate lubricant for a vise, and how should it be applied? > > -- Kirk Eppler in HMB, catching up on posts. |
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269450 | Matt Cooper <MaNoCooper@l...> | 2019‑11‑25 | Re: Mechanic's Vise Rehab |
Nice job. Been looking for something similar off and on. I have quite a few like your craftsman. Sent from my Sprint Samsung Galaxy S10. -------- Original message -------- From: Kirk Eppler via OldTools |
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269451 | Paul Gardner <yoyopg@g...> | 2019‑11‑25 | Re: Mechanic's Vise Rehab |
Very nice restoration and summation there Kirk! The thing looks great. Should you ever require it, I'm pretty sure you can replace the jaws. My dad replaced the jaws on the Prentiss that Michael scored for him and the thing is glorious. Nicely done. -Paul, in SF On Mon, Nov 25, 2019 at 8:17 AM Kirk Eppler via Ba-galoots < ba-galoots@l...> wrote: |
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269456 | "Ed O'" <edo@e...> | 2019‑11‑26 | Re: Mechanic's Vise Rehab |
I really like White Lithium Crayons like this for vises: https://www.amazon.com/Lith-Ease-Grease-Stick-Lithium-Carded/dp/B00JG3I G4O/ref=sr_1_35?keywords=white+lithium&qid=1574771067&sr=8-35">https://www.amazo n.com/Lith-Ease-Grease-Stick-Lithium-Carded/dp/B00JG3IG4O/ref=sr_1_35?keywords=w hite+lithium&qid=1574771067&sr=8-35 It is not sticky and will not trap dust or other filings. Just rub the end along the thread and any wear points. It is essentially white lithium grease in a wax binder. Ed O' -----Original Message----- Kirk, That raises a question in my mind: What's the most appropriate lubricant for a vise, and how should it be applied? Chuck Taylor north of Seattle |
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269458 | Michael Suwczinsky <nicknaylo@g...> | 2019‑11‑26 | Re: Mechanic's Vise Rehab |
I've had a tube of white lithium grease in the shop for years and years now, mostly to lubricate things I want the grease to stick to, as opposed to bearings and such that get oil. Didn't know about the sticks, and will look for them next time the local ACE hardware calls (which is at least weekly-;-) On Tue, Nov 26, 2019 at 4:41 AM Ed O' |
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269460 | "Ed O'" <edo@e...> | 2019‑11‑26 | Re: Mechanic's Vise Rehab |
I find it in the Automotive section at my local Ace for use on car door hinges and latches I assume. Ace website says it is $1.99. Ed O’ From: Michael Suwczinsky [mailto:nicknaylo@g...] Sent: Tuesday, November 26, 2019 12:11 PM To: Ed O' |
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269461 | gtgrouch@r... | 2019‑11‑26 | Re: Mechanic's Vise Rehab |
Another nifty item I never knew about, Thanks! Happy Thanksgiving Everyone - or at least to everyone who celebrates it, Gary K -----------------------------------------From: "Ed O" To: "Michael Suwczinsky" Cc: "porch" Sent: Tuesday November 26 2019 12:49:30PM Subject: Re: [OldTools] Mechanic's Vise Rehab I find it in the Automotive section at my local Ace for use on car door hinges and latches I assume. Ace website says it is $1.99. Ed O’ From: Michael Suwczinsky [mailto:nicknaylo@g...] Sent: Tuesday, November 26, 2019 12:11 PM To: Ed O' Cc: Chuck Taylor ; Kirk Eppler ; porch Subject: Re: [OldTools] Mechanic's Vise Rehab I've had a tube of white lithium grease in the shop for years and years now, mostly to lubricate things I want the grease to stick to, as opposed to bearings and such that get oil. Didn't know about the sticks, and will look for them next time the local ACE hardware calls (which is at least weekly-;-) On Tue, Nov 26, 2019 at 4:41 AM Ed O' wrote: I really like White Lithium Crayons like this for vises: https://www.amazon.com/Lith-Ease-Grease-Stick-Lithium- Carded/dp/B00JG3IG4O/ref=sr_1_35?keywords=white+lithium">https://www.amazon.com /Lith-Ease-Grease-Stick-Lithium- Carded/dp/B00JG3IG4O/ref=sr_1_35?keywords=white+lithium [1] [2] &qid=1574771067&sr=8-35 It is not sticky and will not trap dust or other filings. Just rub the end along the thread and any wear points. It is essentially white lithium grease in a wax binder. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ OldTools is a mailing list catering to the interests of hand tool aficionados, both collectors and users, to discuss the history, usage, value, location, availability, collectibility, and restoration of traditional handtools, especially woodworking tools. To change your subscription options: OldTools archive: Links: ------ [1] https://www.amazon.com/Lith-Ease-Grease-Stick-Lithium- Carded/dp/B00JG3IG4O/ref=sr_1_35?keywords=white+lithium">https://www.amazon.com /Lith-Ease-Grease-Stick-Lithium- Carded/dp/B00JG3IG4O/ref=sr_1_35?keywords=white+lithium [2] https://www.amazon.com/Lith-Ease-Grease-Stick-Lithium-Carded/dp/B00JG3I G4O/ref=sr_1_35?keywords=white+lithium&qid=1574771067&sr=8-35">https://www.amazo n.com/Lith-Ease-Grease-Stick-Lithium-Carded/dp/B00JG3IG4O/ref=sr_1_35?keywords=w hite+lithium&qid=1574771067&sr=8-35> |
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269462 | James DuPrie <jbn.duprie@g...> | 2019‑11‑26 | Re: Mechanic's Vise Rehab |
I've always just used beeswax. Rub it on whenever It seems to need it.... I guess it probably DOES collect up a bit of spoo over time, but its soft enough that it doesn't seem to be a problem... -J |
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269463 | scott grandstaff <scottg@s...> | 2019‑11‑26 | Re: Mechanic's Vise Rehab |
Wow what is it? A virus? Old vises breaking out all over? I was glad to see the others posted. That little quick adjust is a ringer! A neighbor of mine practically made me take a vise last month. It cleaned up pretty well. Its a Rock Island. Little ol 6", can't weight much over 125 pounds. http://users.snowcrest.net/kitty/sgrandstaff/images/oldtools/rockislandvise2.JPG I find once you get it clean, anything will lubricate a vise. Anything except for, too much of anything. As long its only a bit of lube, seldom applied, its fine. yours scott -- ******************************* Scott Grandstaff Box 409 Happy Camp, Ca 96039 scottg@s... http://www.snowcrest.net/kitty/sgrandstaff/ http://www.snowcrest.net/kitty/hpages/index.html |
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269469 | Bill Ghio | 2019‑11‑27 | Re: Mechanic's Vise Rehab |
> On Nov 26, 2019, at 4:55 PM, scott grandstaff |
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