Author Topic: Restoring a post vise (Read 6977 times)

Dan Fruth · « **on:** August 28, 2021, 10:45:17 PM »

I am getting a Christmas/Birthday present ready for my son...Blacksmith equipment.

First I had to make a base for my vise so I could work on his.

The coil spring has got to GO!...Lets forge a kick spring.

This harrow's spring tooth should work fine.

Forging the hook and foot of the spring

The kick spring clamped in position...It Works!

Next installment will be making the mounting bracket...

Spalding · « **Reply #1 on:** August 28, 2021, 11:19:24 PM »

Looking good, Dan. Still have the one that belonged to my great grandfather.
Myself, both my sons, and my grandsons have all pinched our fingers in the handle of that thing when we were young!
Bob

Dan Fruth · « **Reply #2 on:** August 28, 2021, 11:40:23 PM »

Ouch!!!

James Rogers · « **Reply #3 on:** August 29, 2021, 12:10:06 AM »

Looks super! What a nice gift!

flinchrocket · « **Reply #4 on:** August 29, 2021, 12:13:26 AM »

That is a pretty clean vise. I don’t think that is the original coil spring , but the new one looks better anyway.

Tim Crosby · « **Reply #5 on:** August 29, 2021, 12:52:31 AM »

Looking good Dan. As for the pinched fingers, I've done the same thing usually in the web of my hand, I wrapped some leather around the handle at the balls and that took care of it, gloves work well too.

Tim

Dan Fruth · « **Reply #6 on:** August 29, 2021, 04:58:53 AM »

Good idea Tim...I did the same thing working on this one!

Clint · « **Reply #7 on:** August 29, 2021, 05:00:21 AM »

Dan,
A lot of these vises do not line up very well when the screw is tightened down. To remedy that you can take the pivot bolt out, tighten the screw and line things up. The hinged jaw is most likely a little low and the wear on the pivot bolt will show it. After things are lined up and the bolt is out, run a bridge reamer through the hole and replace the bolt with a new oversized bolt. NICE spring btw. I have actually used threaded "U" bolts to attach the mounting plate and it works very well. Not quite the same as the traditional double wedge mount but it will get covered with stuff and your son won't give it a second thought.

R.J.Bruce · « **Reply #8 on:** August 29, 2021, 01:34:41 PM »

I can't remember the number of times that I pinched the web between my thumb and forefinger when I let that heavy steel handle slide down and give me a righteous blood blister.

Dan Fruth · « **Reply #9 on:** August 29, 2021, 02:31:08 PM »

This is starting to sound like the Mini Pearl story of cousin Naybob.

"Naybob could not stop picking up everything he fastened his eyes to. Once while at the smithy, he was up to his usual, picking up everything in sight, so the smithy heated up a horse shoe and set it on the bench. Sure enough Naybob had to pick it up, but he immediately dropped it a gave a hollar!!
The smithy laughingly said, Why didn't you hold onto that shoe Naybob, to which he replied...It don't take me long to look at a horseshoe!

Spalding · « **Reply #10 on:** August 29, 2021, 04:21:18 PM »

I don’t know what it is about those post vices, but every kid has to spin that handle. Kind of like those spinning counter stools at the old diners, they all take a whirl.

Curtis · « **Reply #11 on:** August 31, 2021, 08:49:12 AM »

Dan,

Met you at the CLA show and purchased a couple of TOW worms....

I have a couple of those post vices that are in great shape, and they are the best. Your restoration job looks excellent, great job!

Curtis

Badenpowell · « **Reply #12 on:** September 02, 2021, 04:01:29 PM »

Dan, great project.
Clint, I need to realign the jaws of my vise. Thanks for that information.

Dan Fruth · « **Reply #13 on:** September 03, 2021, 03:38:03 AM »

It was a nice cool morning so I fired up the forge and started the mounting bracket

In order for the mounting foot to be in the correct position, I drew out the bar in the bend location.

Here you see both bends complete. The stock is 1/2 x 1 1/4 hot roll steel. The bottom of the feet must be on the same plane as the bottom of the bracket, that is why the stock was drawn at the bend.

post image

The main beam of the vise is 1" thick, so I closed and adjusted the bends to snuggly accept the beam

The bracket in its location, nice and snug on the vise beam. Next time will be splaying the feet and drilling the holes for the lags, and milling the slot for the wedges, as well as making the wedges....Hope you folks are enjoying the process as much as I am!!

Badenpowell · « **Reply #14 on:** September 05, 2021, 02:28:14 AM »

Dang. Sure do need a "like" button on here ...

RobertS · « **Reply #15 on:** September 05, 2021, 07:14:56 AM »

Thanks I have one very much like it and in need of the same work. I look forward to seeing the completion of this very worthy project.

Not English · « **Reply #16 on:** September 07, 2021, 07:53:08 AM »

Dan, you don't happen to have a long lost son in southern Wi do you? I'm curious about your anvil. I've got a large Peter Wright (165#) that looks an awful lot like yours.

Dave

DanL · « **Reply #17 on:** September 07, 2021, 03:34:43 PM »

Excellent post Dan! You should add your pictures and your narration to the tutorials section.

Thanks for the look-see, DanL

WadePatton · « **Reply #18 on:** September 08, 2021, 12:33:47 AM »

Quote from: DanL on September 07, 2021, 03:34:43 PM

Excellent post Dan! You should add your pictures and your narration to the tutorials section.

Thanks for the look-see, DanL

Yes this thread should not be lost to the vacuum of old OTBF threads and should be preserved somewhere-anywhere.

Dan Fruth · « **Reply #19 on:** September 09, 2021, 05:22:07 AM »

With the mounting bracket ready for bending the feet, several heats are required to do the bends and punch the bolt holes.

Sorry I didn't take any pics of bending the feet

hotel gif

Someone asked about my anvil. It is a 150 lb. Fisher Norris

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Straightening the post

[url=https://ibb.co/p1BY8g0]

Marking the location for the wedge. The wedge near the vise has ears that hold the mounting bracket together. The rear wedge pushes the vise frame and bracket tightly together.

Here is the completed vise on it's white oak base. I live near an Amish sawmill that mills for a timber frame builder, and white oak cut-offs are inexpensive.

The complete birthday/Christmas present. I think he will like it!

Thanks for watching the process come together...Dan

DanL · « **Reply #20 on:** September 09, 2021, 03:36:08 PM »

EXCELLENT illustration and FINE craftsmanship!

Your son should be a very happy camper.

My main anvil is similar to yours. It is a 160 lb Fisher. It was a WWI military surplus item.

Thanks for posting your work!

DanL

Dan Fruth · « **Reply #21 on:** September 09, 2021, 04:20:58 PM »

Thanks DanL. I love my Fisher...Great rebound and no RINGINGGGGGG! That will kill your eardrums!

Jtown · « **Reply #22 on:** September 14, 2021, 11:48:12 AM »

Wonderful post. I am jealous of your shop. Very nice.
Walt

Dan Fruth · « **Reply #23 on:** September 16, 2021, 03:09:29 PM »

The birthday boy having a go with the new/old equipment!

DanL · « **Reply #24 on:** September 16, 2021, 03:18:49 PM »

Fantastic!! Great gift. Now he can make anything else that he wants. The gift that keeps on giving!

DanL

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Author Topic: Restoring a post vise (Read 6977 times)