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I Forge Iron

My First Vise


pa lineman

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Well I wasn't really looking for a vise yet. I am still collecting and making tools.My forge is just something I threw together a few months back.I have been looking for a real anvil to replace my pieces of rail and steel plate .So; I pulled into a Barn sale while driving around central PA and I found this under a table. I wasnt sure what I was buying because like I said, I have been concentrating on  an anvil and hadn't done any reseach on post vises. Was able to talk the guy down to $60 so how could I not grab it? I need to clean it up but from what I can read under the rust, its an Indian Chief and the numbers on the side say 70-80 . Hope to find more writing somewhere . BTW ; the jaws measure 5". Here are some pics ; I hope .

 

Rick

 

 

 

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 Be careful with the attribution as mounting plates are not necessarily mounted to their original vise.

 

it's always something isn't it Mr Powers? Just think of what could happen if someone had changed the mounting plate or even the spring!! 50 years ago. BE CAREFUL out there... especially with "attribution". Haha. What a joke. Any possible reason to ad to your post count. How trivial. Keep up the good work.

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You did good on that score.  Complete with spring and mounting plate, and looks to be in good condition.  Clean the screw of old gunk, and keep it lubed, and the vise will be good for a few more generations.  Paint is optional; depends if you will have it inside or outside.

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Very nice first vise!

So now grab your angle grinder with steelbrush wheel and some wd 40/ Ballistol and show the hidden beauty!

Maybe you could heat up the leg and straighten it a bit.

Add some propper grease and you have a wonderfull vise!

 

Any thoughts about the stand? Or do you attach that one to your workbench?

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Thanks all !  The vise will be mounted outside so after I clean her up and take some pictures I will paint it.It will be covered when not in use but I will paint anyway. I have not  figured out a mount yet.There is a small tree that needs to come down  where I am set up outside .I have to measure it but it may be big enough to lag the mounting plate to and then I just need something for the leg . If it isn't wide enough, then I have no idea what I will use for the mount. I saw quite a few mounts here but I don't have my welder working yet (I'm building one of those from a  gas motor and a truck alternator) so I am limited to what I can build .

 

Rick

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Hi again Rick!

 

Please don't paint her! Just use owatrol oil; it's transparent and works like paint but you still see the material itself! And after wire brushing and grinding her to perfect shape she will look just awesome, so there's no need for make up ;)

 

Greetings,

 

Hannes

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Nice score Rick, I have a 6" that could be it's sister and by time I got it shipped to Alaska cost me 6x as much. While folk have taken to taking pot shots at Thomas for pointing out the futility in worrying about just who made and how old a working tool is it's still fun to find out. Just take him to heart before you start thinking you KNOW a tool's heritage. Some tools have their specifics cast or stamped in so you can be reasonably sure. Others are a real potshot as to identity, good smiths and a striker have been making post vises in village smithies for centuries.

 

How you finish it is up to you, it's your tool. Rust, wire brush and oiled, painted, heck chrome plate it where safe if you like. Finish is a matter of taste to a point, I paint mine my shop colors, Hunter green and gold. I believe Champion's default color was black but were happy to paint it any color you were willing to pay for. Vaughn paints theirs blue, large customers specified color, the Navy buys gray equipment.

 

Historically true caftsmen especially those who made their own tools decorated them often lavishly to not only identify them but to show off their mastery of craft.

 

 

Frosty The Lucky.

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Thanks again all!

I took her apart and wire wheeled the rust off. Then I cleaned it with some mineral spirits, put it back together and gave a it a coat of linseed oil for now. There are some spots that could have used a grinder but I think I will leave it alone for now. I was happy to find no cracks under the rust and even the grooves in the jaw are there.  I think I will just put it into service for now.

 

Rick 

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