grimcat27 Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 Ok I got a new post vice this morning for only $60 in good shape for the most part but the spring doesn't work. It's made from an old file. other then that and some miner rust and the leg is bent some its in almost new shape. I will have pics up in the next day or two. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
element Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 Tease:p:p . Good find, you will like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockriver forge Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 Fix the spring & staiten the leg. Your a blacksmith. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 Make a new spring and unless the leg's REALLY out of whack don't worry about it. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt87 Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 I have a microwave but it doesn't work. How do I fix it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unkle spike Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 The spring does not have to be anything fancy, a small trailer spring will work. How bad is the leg bent? Grimcat, if you post your location by changing your CP at the top of the screen, there may be someone near you with a spring or advice. Matt87, microwaves are easier to buy new than fix, they are pretty much disposable these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob JS Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 I have a microwave but it doesn't work. How do I fix it? Turn on its side, Fill with charcoal, put some bars on top and get cooking. Nice find on the vice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grimcat27 Posted April 17, 2009 Author Share Posted April 17, 2009 he told me he sold his first one for 45 or 50 I didn't even know he had 2 untill he told me if only I had known. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unkle spike Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 Turn on its side, Fill with charcoal, put some bars on top and get cooking. Nice find on the vice. Microwaves have an exhaust fan built in, you may need to reverse that to make an effective coal-0-wave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Einhorn Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 Depending on the size of the vise, people have made new springs out of both mild steel and old flat springs. If you have an appropriate sized section of mild steel you could give that a try, and it is likely to work. A spring for a leg vise has a slight curve and ears forged at the top corners to hold it in place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt87 Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 Matt87, microwaves are easier to buy new than fix, they are pretty much disposable these days. My microwave is fine, or will be until I fill it with coal! My point was that there are any number of faults with a vice spring -- it may have taken a set, broken, the mounting broken etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unkle spike Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 His post said it is made from an old file.....that would be the fault. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grafvitnir Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 Hi Here is a link for an article on repairing leg vises; in this case making a spring for it.Restoration of Leg Vises Part 1 By James R. Melchor and Peter M. Ross [07/01;S;107f2] I hope it helps and also that I'm not breaking any rules of the forum on links or something :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rasper77 Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 My first vise spring was made of mild and I just shaped and clamped.. still works great after 2 years. My newer vise I made the spring out of a section of truck spring. There very basic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grimcat27 Posted April 19, 2009 Author Share Posted April 19, 2009 here are the pics of the vice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adnyb Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 There is a guy on Ebay who sells ready-made vise springs in 3 sizes, I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob JS Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 hi grimcat, nice vice. I may be stating the obvious here but the spring is held in place by the mounting bracket - I notice this isnt fitted with the wedge in the photos so everything is loose, which could be why it isn't working. Also I am wondering, how free the pivot at the bottom is? The springs are only there to open the jaws and dont need to be that strong. On my big vice it is very easy to close the jaws by hand - however on my smaller one the spring is stronger but still easy. Sorry if Im stating the obvious - Im half expecting you to tell me you took the wedge out so that you can replace the bad spring. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bentiron1946 Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 That was a nice link on vise rebuild. When I bought mine in the early Iron Age it was lacking a spring also, so I just used a valve spring out of a Chevy 350 engine and stuck it in the bottom at the hinge point. I know it's not very blacksmith like but it has worked for a fair long while now.:cool: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob JS Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 Also, what makes you think it is an old file?? I had another look at the the photos - there are what looks like two dimples one above the other but slightly offset. Similar dimples occur on both my vices in various places, which would suggest it is an original part. Also on my vices there are some marks that look like the surface of a file, but must be marks made by the jaws of another vice or grips etc during manufacture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reid Neilsen Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 A small leaf spring is going to be nice and strong. Use the old spring to get approximately the dimensions and forge you a new one! Ive got a 150 year old vice in my shop. It was UGLY when I got it. I got it for a steal because the dude thought it was junk. I looked at the screw(it was pretty nice) and knew I could do something with it. Took it home. Some moron chiseled/chipped a hunk out of the jaws at some point. I welded in a bit and ground them flush, straightened the handle that was bent 45 degrees and forged a new spring for it. It is as good as it was a hundred years ago when it sat in someone else's shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob JS Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 Here are a couple of photos to support what I was saying last night. At least then if im talking rubbish you might understand why and forgive me :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andres Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 So-got an leg vise too My neighbour gave it to me free.It was between old scrap under mud and snow. I cleaned it a littlebit up and oiled and here it is... Now must figure out what kind of bench i shut make for it... Andres Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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