I find the history of the item interesting. Usually the companies are long gone. It can be kind of sad in a way, but the fact that the item is still around and getting new life is a way to preserve that memory. Thank you for watching!
Huh, I liked the "before" version better than the "after". I guess I just not the intended audience -- to each his own. But I guffawed when I saw that they sanded it to 800 grit before painting -- its a *vise* ferchrissakes! There's no concours d'elegance for bench vises. I was not pleased that they sandblasted the main screw threads, and I let out a few choice words when they sawed through the handle -- only to weld it back together (apparently?). WTF? But I'm being too negative -- I did watch the whole thing, and it was good edutainment. I just bought a similar vintage Columbian, and I came here to learn how to take the jaws out -- they taught me that, and I am grateful. Thumbs up.
Thank you for watching! I’m glad to hear you were able to get something helpful out of my video! Sounds like you have a vice project of your own so best of luck getting it back in tip top shape and ready for work!
Nice work, I like your attention to detail. I have been restoring for a long time so a couple of tips if I may. Set yourself up with electrolysis, it’s easy and very effective at removing rust and saves you a lot of money on chemicals. Great job getting that collar of. I would suggest getting a MAP gas heat torch as heat is very effective at loosening stuck parts especially when you can get them red hot. Saving the original collar was good. keep in mind that sometimes the metal in the weld can become very hard so perhaps think about putting the retaining screw on a different un-welded part of the collar. Hope this help, cheers Stuart 🇦🇺
Great suggestions! I really appreciate the feedback and you checking out my video! I didn’t think about the collar being weakened by my repair. Great idea to tap a new hole elsewhere on the collar to maintain integrity.
Restore This. Not necessarily weakening the collar but sometimes that welded metal can be very hard making it difficult to drill and tap. Cheers Stuart 🇦🇺
Cool video! Where are all the subscribers? You deserve more. Hang in there and don't be afraid to show more detail, most viewers know what you're dealing with while restoring rusty old tools. New subscriber, and loving it!
Hi Lonnie! Thank you for watching and thank you for the kind words! I won’t be going anywhere, not while I have a pile of stuff in my garage that needs some attention! :) I’ll be sure to add some more detail in the future. It’s a fine line between boring and detailed and I’m still trying to get the ratios right. I have some cool stuff coming up so stay tuned!
Nice work. I usually skip the wire brush and citrus stripper and go straight to a wire wheel on the angle grinder. Still, it looks like it turned out a treat!
Good strategy! The more items I do the more I see that going a little more aggressive won’t hurt an old vise like this. I appreciate you watching and thanks for subscribing Will!
Could you have used a 50/50 Water/Vinegar bath instead of a citric acid bath? Vinegar baths are what people who restore cast iron use to remove the rust... Just curious. Nice video.
Damn dude, this looks awesome after all that work. I envy people who have the patience for this stuff. I'll just get my satisfaction from watching others do it.
If you want another cleaning option you can throw the whole thing in Simple Green or Purple Power or a similar strong degreasing cleaner for a week. It will EAT all the old grease, oil, dirt, grime, wax, paint, you name it, and leave you with a nice grey wire ready patina. I'm not sure if SG is cheaper than citric acid though. You'll have to cost compare. Best of luck!
Great restore! I prefer no body filler but I understand why some like it. I would never purchase a vise with filler simply because it makes me think they are hiding something like a crack.
That’s a great point! I have a nice simplex vice that has clearly been rewelded. I have mixed feelings on restoring it. I could make it look like it had never been repaired but don’t want to cover it up with the potential of it being passed off as undamaged.
Very nice job but I have a question? I saw you cut the handle into two pieces but then it is intact in Chap. 10. Did you weld the two pieces together and then grind, or did you detach and then reattach the ball end from the handle, and if so, how?
Thanks for checking out my video! I found a couple of this model pretty clapped out looking on ebay for around $150 plus shipping. One cleaned up would be maybe 200-250 ish. Shipping would be the real killer though. Can usually find good restoration candidates on Craigslist for under $100
Very nice. What was that pin for that you removed from the bottom side of the base plate? Did you weld the handle back together after you cut it in half?
Thanks for watching John! Correct, I welded the handle back together after I smoothed it out a bit. After I welded it back together, I spot welded all the rust craters and grounded them smooth. As for the bottom pin, its function is to hold the main nut in place. The bar holds it in place just fine so I didn’t put a new one in. Easy enough to do if I see any movement.
Hi Jim! The 605 line is a great medium sized vise! Not too big, not too small. I think the paint I scraped off (what was left of it) of this was the original paint. It was a nice lighter shade of blue. As to the age, I can only go by what the guy I got it from told me. He said they used the vise in the shop in the late 50s early 60s and at that time it was already old. They used it into the 70s then tossed it in the scrap pile after they got a newer bigger vise. For Vises, as long as it says “Made in USA” on it I’m interested so couldn’t just leave this one in the scrap pile! Thank you for watching!
