Jeddly

Thats funny Mr. Powers. I took this pic standing one leg, whilst holding my phone sideways. The spring came from my motorbike. When I switched them to progressive rates, I saved the old springs. Somehow knew they would come in handy. :)

By the way, 1 1/8" is almost twice as expensive. Also, I called and asked if they had 5/8x11 left hand and the lady said no. Went in, and they had it in my hand in 45 seconds. Luck of the draw I guess. She's standing tall now, just need to do the spring and I'm set. Gah!!

Acme was sourced from Fire and Fasteners on International Airport rd. Diameter is 1.25". Its sold by the foot, of which I bought two. All told, I camoe out of that store 56$ lighter.

I ported a trailer ball and welded it to the acme screw. There is also a 'nut locker' on the backside jaw so that operation will be normal. I had thought of welding the nut to the rear jaw, but soon became uncomfortable with the idea. As the front jaw opens the screw travels in a subtle arc. Didn't want that stress on the nut if it was welded in place. I have a little trailer spring stock I will use to assist in opening the jaws. I also plan on making more rings to hold tongs on the upper stand. Then it will be my version of the ultimate vise/stand/tool holder majigger. Working height is at 49" exactly. Why are my pics all sideways?

After drooling over everyones pics in the vise/stands thread, I decided to build one. Total investment was around 56$ (Screw and nut). The majority of metal here is old oilfield junk. Two stands weldered together, filled halfway with sand and topped with 1/4 plate for a table of sorts. The vise is scabbed together with 1" plate that I flame-cut, and the jaws came from a bit breaker. I still have to put the screw in, but ran out of O2 on the gas-axe. Hope you like it, heres a pic.

I picked up 2' of acme screw and a nut at Fire and Fasteners. 1 1/4" is cheaper than 1 1/8" by the way. Going to build my own, it looks simple enough, and I have some 1" thick stuff to play with.

I have one of these that got ran over. (Mistakenly left it on the hood of the truck and took off). Kershaw has very good service, and sent me all the small parts that were missing. Minus blade and scales of course. I like the damascus, fine knife ya got there. Unique too!

If anyone has one that needs repairs, i'd be willing to take a basketcase vise.

My friend just picked one up for 125 at the antique store. It is in pretty rough shape. Missing screw box, and busted spring were the faults that I saw. Like others have said, they are worth what you are willing to pay.

Here's mine. Its a 125# Kohlswa. Sucker rang like a bell before I fastened the chain to it.

In order of appearance, 4.5" angle grinder, wire feed welder, and lastly, the KMG clone. Soon to be added, are the tire hammer, and a hefty hydraulic press.

Elbow hurts. I wonder if the work would be more comfortable with the anvil over there instead of here. Thats heavy, I'll move it later. Oh goodie! Walking Dead is on!!

This cable was actually mixed by size of wire. Does that count? I'm pretty sure the metalurgical content was the same though. Is it bad to lust for pattern welded steel?

I didn't know that. I was doing 15 minute intervals and wiping the pattern away, when I decided to go for an hour long soak. Lol

Scrounged up some spikes/clips today, and this weird lump of cast. No idea what it is other than heavy.

I think I got it. Seems my solution is a bit weak, as this was after an hour of soak. I still need to treat and finish grind, but I like how it the pattern looks.

The acid is percolating. Here is a pic of the goods. Obviously, the bigger one is the cable. On a side note, anyone in town carry finer belts than 120 grit in the 72" flavor?

I bought this jug almost 10 years ago to disolve some aluminum from the bore of a snowmachine jug. If I remember right, the reaction put off hydrogen gas in the process. It is definitely some nasty stuff. I guess I need to find a tall glass jar for the etch now.

Thanks for the tips guys. I'm going to give it a go. Having never etched anything before, I'm assuming you do it after hardening, and polish right? Another question, it seems I am not brushing my metal before striking it, and it looks like I'm pounding scale into the steel. It is very hard to remove with the grinder. Is there a better way? Besides scrubbing it after it comes out of the fire?

Well dang! I've got some muriatic acid and some scale on the floor already. I got the cable scraps from Arctic Wire & Rope for free. Good guys over there. To answer your question as to the form, its in a blade-like shape now, bout 1/4" thick and 10" long.

Hey fellas, I was wonderin where I could find a bit of ferric chloride in the bowl? I finally got some cable to stick and need to etch. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Jed

Basher, by my calculations, you can drop down to 2500 psi with that 4" ram, and still be over 30K. Also, if you bring the gpm down to 4 @ 2500psi, that 7.5hp motor will be happier. You may lose some speed though, and I've heard you really need the speed with a hydraulic press.

Sweet steel!

Gee, I'm glad I'm not alone. Pun intended. I ride bikes too, and often sing to myself as well. I would probably die of embarassment if anyone heard me though. I ain't no opera singer. In the shop, I can carry on a pretty decent convo with myself. I've come to some serious revelations this way.

Check this puppy out!! Price was just right, and it works!!!