Chris C

Well, I'll get it cleaned up. During it's "nakedness" I'll be able to critically assess it's condition. But from what I've seen so far, this little 4" vise is going to serve me well. I don't see any blacksmith replaced parts like the spring or anything. Eager to get it cleaned up and build a stand for it. After working with the vises at my Thursday night group, I've decided to make a "stand on it stand" for mine. I don't see me trying to rack the handle so tight as to squash a tick with it, but I also don't like the feeling that the vise might tip over with a red hot piece of steel in it's jaws.

Happy for you. I'm saddled with a "Perfectionist" personality and I can never charge enough to cover the time I have in a project. And it doesn't make any difference whether I'm making something for someone else or myself. Believe me, it's a curse!

Looks good, JHCC.

Okay, IFC, thanks. Well, BIGGUNDOCTOR, I think I will wait until all those needs start showing their ugly heads before I run out and pick up a welder. I'm still scrimping and saving for an anvil.

One of the guys at my Thursday night group made that suggestion, too.

This is beginning to sound like it's far too complicated for my occasional needs. I don't care for hassles. Sure don't need to spend a bunch of money I don't have on something I'll seldom use.

That's a pretty unique knife. Very interesting.

Happy for you. That's going to be great.

Well, I'm not sure I want to spend a ton of money on a "good" welder. I think about the only thing I'm going to need one for is to spot weld a stack of steel for Damascus or a long length of rebar on a stacked billet to forge-weld Damascus occasionally. I've got a little welding to do on my ribbon burner and the housing that will hold it in the forge.................but I could more inexpensively ask someone to do it for me for a 6-pack rather than go out and buy a welder. By "gas", do you mean oxy-acet, IFC? Or do you mean TIG?

My brother was a machinist and knows more about that kind of stuff than I. I'd sure like to have that kind of money come into my anvil "kitty". I'll unbolt it and get it cleaned up and see what happens. I'll see if I can find a man manufactured date on it when I tear it down. That will help. 1979 certainly doesn't seem old to me, but it does make it's condition that more attractive.

Thanks, IFC. Figured the screw box should come out. I'll work on it. And what you say is what I figured on the handle, but did think maybe the leg would unscrew. Oh well, I'll use the brush in my right angle grinder. It typically does a nice job. Obviously did a great job of Picker77's new vice!

I was talking with my brother a little while ago and he told me he thought it was worth in the neighborhood of $600.......give or take. Don't know that I'm gonna take him at his word, though.

I've been breaking it down for cleaning. It looks as if the surface rust was just sprayed with WD-40 and left to dry. I hate that look. I'll get it all cleaned up. Question: I don't know the names of all the parts on a post vise, but the "nut" that receives the screw (what is it called?) doesn't seem to want to separate from the back leg. It does come out, doesn't it? There's no way to remove the handle from the screw without cutting one of the ends off, is there? I don't want to do that. Originally, my thought was to clean the rust off this with electrolysis, but now that I realize how long that post leg is, I don't want to have to make a tank that large to do it. Does the leg unscrew from the post or is it solid? If it's solid, I think I'll just wire brush the whole thing clean with my right-angle grinder.

Quick Tongs are great, CGL. I made a pair of them the first two evenings I pounded steel. Don't know anyone who would mind grabbing them to hold hot steel. Ten Bucks............so they are an inexpensive way to get tools and good way to learn some stuff along the way. I imagine I'm make my next pair from scratch..............but only because I got some experience with the Quick Tongs.

Yes...........at least to make me happy! It's covered in dusty oil........obviously from a barn or something. I want to strip it down to raw metal and get it all cleaned up. Don't care to work with nasty ole equipment. It's missing one of it's mounting bracket bolts, but, yes, it's in darned good shape. Think I did well for a hundred bucks.

Arc welders seem to be less expensive..............and, yes, I know you can buy rod to repair most anything. Very versatile. Yes, of course I have 220. It's only single phase, but that'll handle an arc welder, won't it?

Okay, as promised, here's a "before" pic of my new vise. (beginning to think of this hobby as my new vice!) I think it will clean up nicely.

Thanks, Tomas.............I couldn't even find that much info, though I did find a couple of 4 and 6 inchers previously sold. I appreciate the info.

Okay, folks, thanks. I was just thinking wire-fed because I'm lousy with a stick welder.

This thread, while originally serious, has ended up being very enlightening. Along that vein of thought, I guess I could use them as fly swatters. Sounds as if the only decent thing to do with them is to take them to the scrap yard and trade'em for something I need. Only problem with that is my scrap yard seldom has anything I need.

I think it should bring good money, Frosty. It's in near pristine condition for sure. But like you, I've been searching and not only can't find one for sale anywhere, but can't even find another comment on the internet other than mine here in this thread !

Now that was just plain mean, Frosty. Are you determined to get on my bad side?

Tis, indeed. Think I had a hernia putting it up on the bench. I'd like to know if someone might have an idea as to it's worth because I want to sell it to use funds toward a "proper" anvil...............whatever that is!

Thanks, Frosty, I'll check on that. Thanks Jennifer, I'll keep that in my mental storage house.

Sorry, no soda cans in our house. But I do have an abundance of tape measures. I cannot tell a lie...........................................but I have to admit, I was mistaken...............................................the jaws are actually 9 1/2" wide, but the vise is labeled a Buffalo #9. I can't get the following picture to upload to the site, so you'll just have to go look at it in the link!!!!! https://chris623.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-10/p3521650189-4.jpg