TRLDaD

George Frosty and Irondragon thanks, that helps in understanding your suggestions. Frosty I wish I had the broken mating piece. However it’s long gone. My friend found the vise broken and “repaired” with the sheet metal shims pictured in my first post. I’ll keep you updated. I’ve also setup a search on Craig’s List to see if I find an affordable fully functional leg vise or one for parts that has a good screw and box. Thanks again!

Frosty, Your and pretty much everyone else here's skill is far beyond my novice understanding and even more sophomoric skills. Got to be honest, I don't even understand what you've suggested. Though I do plan to research it to learn. Sounds like the screw box can't "just be welded" because it's not regular steel. I'm sure my buddy understands this though. I hope you're right about additional vises that might enter my life! Thanks again to all who have taken the time to post.

JHCC, thanks, that made me chuckle a bit. I guess everyone needs an "ism" today. I don't think I suggested everything was made to a higher standard back in the day. It wasn't. I think it's more a consumer attitude that things are disposable than a true change in quality. As I said, it's also a problem of parts availability/cost even if one wanted to fix something. Your example of the cell phone is one that represents how it could be. I have done the same for my daughter and it worked out very well and saved her a lot. I hear the inflation thing all the time. Yes, I understand I was there I remember when $10 or $20 was a whole lot of money in a budget. I just see this very cool tool that someone worked hard to create and think dang, what a shame these can't be salvaged in a real way. Too bad a smith/machinist couldn't set up tooling to make repair parts. I might be in the minority in being willing to spend $100 - $125 to fit this with a new screw & box and I acknowledge it might not be worth someones time to make parts for that kind of money. After all, they need their sheckles to buy the disposable stuff they need. Kind of a cycle like chasing one's tail. I will talk to my friend he was a pipeline and fabrication welder and is FAR more skilled in the art of welding than I. Hopefully we can fix it. I certainly would still welcome input on what others have done. I will post any update when I have one.

GNM, you're right. Sadly, these things have crossed my mind too. Seems ashamed, that this cool old piece may be scrap. Something I'm sure the original maker could never have imagined. But, that's the world we now live in, one where everything is disposable because parts are either too costly or unavailable. I was just saying to a friend who's TV "died" that I recall the days when the TV repairman came to your home with a large hip box of tubes and other components and fixed your TV and it was a very small cost compared to buying new. Now, you just throw it away and get a new one at Wally World. Same for every major appliance in your home. I found a reference on another site where someone said back in the day Sears, Roebuck used to carry various sized post vise repair kits that included the replacement screw and thread box for $10-$20. Now wouldn't that be nice! Yeah I know, BOOMER! Guilty as charged. If I am unable to repair this myself I'll see if my buddy wants it back. If not, I will likely pass it on to someone with the advanced skills and tooling to revive it. As you've said, especially for what I plan to do, dabbling in knife making and small item smithing (think hooks, bottle openers) as gifts for friends and family I probably don't need a post vise. My buddy knew I got a little 66lb Vevor anvil for Christmas and thought I might like the vise and kindly, he gave it to me. Something I appreciate regardless. Thanks for your comments. Hopefully, others will have ideas that might yield a viable solution.

A buddy of mine who knew I was wanting to start learning basic smithing/knife making as a retirement hobby gave me an old post vise the other day. I didn't know too much about them so reached out to my Coast Guard Brother and IFI member Irondragon (Randy) for advise. He gave me his initial thoughts and recommended I make a post here for further help and info. As you can see from the photos, the end of the thread box was broken at some point and someone wedged some sheetmetal shims between the thread box and leg jaw hole. It looks as though the key on the thread box was also compromised. To me, overall the vise looks to be in good condition sans the thread box. But hours of internet searches show that while the screws and thread boxes are the most commonly damaged parts of these vises, sadly replacements aren't available. I've seen some creative fixes and am thinking if I can enlist the help of a friend who is a real welder, perhaps this broken box can be repaired. I'm not exactly sure how long the missing portion (inside the jaw before the bell flange) was. I'm thinking if I get some 2 1/2" pipe and then a cap I could possibly get it welded and functional again. Does anyone have any suggestions on ways they've repaired these? Better yet, anyone have an appropriate thread box for sale? Any input is appreciated. -Dave

Thanks guys! Well said Frosty. Really anytime I’m creating something it makes me feel exhilarated and satisfied. I also usually find myself strategizing on how to make it better next time. I expect no less from this venture. Hell, I couldn’t even get an arc started on 7018 without sticking the rod! I’ve been watching Black Bear more my speed for sure. Alec is very talented but a little too energetic for me. Though I’d love to support him and buy some of his stuff. Unfortunately, most of it is out of stock. George, as you suggested, I’ll be sipping a bourbon and diving into IFI and absorbing it all and I’m sure asking questions along the way. Cheers!

USCG '84 - '88 Semper Paratus

Hello from SW Missouri! Retired and decided to do a few things I've always wanted to; learn to weld, and learn to make knives and work metal. Got a used welder and took a night class at the local high school VoTech. Can make a respectable MIG weld, starting to make a TIG weld that is okay. Stick, well . . . 6011 it kind of looks like a weld. 7018, we won't talk about that! Plan was to cut, grind/file some knives from bar. Wasn't really planning on smithing a knife but as I researched heat treating I realized I'd be buying/building a small forge. Then I went down the rabbit hole of watching YouTube vids. After seeing a few guys make blacksmith knives I started thinking heck, I should get a small anvil too! Got a 66lb Vevor and a hammer and set of tongs for Christmas and here I am. This is just for fun and to keep me busy. Something I've always wanted to do and figured it's now or never. If I can get good enough to make knives, bottle openers, and hooks that friends and family will accept for free, then my goal will have been attained. Lots of good info here. I plan to learn much as I start playing.

Ahhh yes, got fond memories of chasing rust with a needle gun on them pretty white hulls! Semper Paratus