What Did You Buy Today?

[mattthemuppet2]

if you take the handle off, consider adding a screw in the head of the main screw. My Chas Parker has one and I love it. First, it prevents that dropping hard on the bar, so it saves fingers. Next it allows me to spin it with a finger since it holds where I want it, and it allows it to stay out of the way if it's clocked in a bad position.
Use a brass slug and screw, and if you want a heavy spring.

That is a GREAT idea. I can't remember the number of times I've struggled with the vise opening or closing due to the handle swinging round. I really like that, thanks!

At current prices I'd say the 300S is worth probably $3-400 if it's in nice shape. Figure half of new as a typical ballpark.

I've made quite a few handles with threaded ball ends as well. I drill and tap the end of the handle for 7/16-20 and use a length of all-thread with permanent thread locker to make the stud, then drill and tap the ball end as well. I do them as a blind bore so it takes a bit more time. You can just make them a through hole, thread lock them in place and then smooth off the end with a flap disc and it would be hard to tell.

The ones I make look like this...roughly 1.25" diameter and .5" thick. The stud is a bit short, but more than enough for the purpose.

I appreciate the info, thanks. I'll measure up some of those surface hardened rods I have and see which is closest to the length and diameter I need. I'll probably bore the end of the screw out a smidge to clean up the hole, so hopefully I have a rod which is just a bit bigger than the existing hole. I'm really pumped about this vise, shame I'm going to have to wait 7 or 8 months to do some of these cool mods

 

[Firstram]

If the meatball is really worn, you can bore it out and bush it back to size. You don’t really want to upsize the handle too much, it’s designed to bend before the the vice is damaged by over tightening.

 

[Firstram]

To add to the vice handle replacement, leave .010-.015” clearance. I only left .005” and it’s too close, a little dirt or surface rust binds it up.

 

[extropic]

< snip . . . You don’t really want to upsize the handle too much, it’s designed to bend before the the vice is damaged by over tightening.

100% agree. If The handle of a quality vise is bent, the vise has been abused. Replacing the handle (to factory specification) is much less costly than replacing whatever the next weakest link turns out to be.

 

[G-ManBart]

To add to the vice handle replacement, leave .010-.015” clearance. I only left .005” and it’s too close, a little dirt or surface rust binds it up.

Absolutely. I make the 11/16" handles .677" just for that very reason.

 

[Firstram]

Absolutely. I make the 11/16" handles .677" just for that very reason.

You’ll appreciate this. The vice pictured is a 5” Prentiss. The screw hole in the dynamic jaw was originally bored .125” lower than the nut. The screw was extremely kinked in multiple planes because of the misalignment.

I straightened it with a press and bored the screw hole where it should have been. I built up the screw flange to a larger diameter and turned it down to the OD size of the thrust bearing that fit the screw.

I installed a bronze bushing with a flange/recess that acts as a dust shield for the bearing. Between proper alignment and thrust bearings in both directions, the weight of the handle will loosen the vice unless I really tighten it down.

I wish I had added an o-ring just for the additional friction!

 

[NCjeeper]

I picked up some new wheels for my new to me carbide grinder.

 

[pontiac428]

I got a wiffle plate for fixing smaller stuff. I don't know what else it's called, so wiffle it is.

 

[DavidR8]

I’ve been on the hunt for a 60 gallon compressor for a while. Finally found one nearby for a decent price.

 

[ChazzC]

I got a wiffle plate for fixing smaller stuff. I don't know what else it's called, so wiffle it is.
View attachment 465726

If you paid by the pound you got a deal: it looks like there’s more air than metal.