Just got this big ole girl the other day.

She's in need of a new handle for the screw, and for the pivot. As well as a new jaw.  Other than that she runs in and out perfectly, and works well.

My plan is to strip her apart, make the new handles and jaw, strip off all the rust and paint, and repaint her (haven't decided on a color yet).

 

You can see the size in comparison to the cinderblock.

 

 

 

 

Quick question whilst I'm at it.

 

The jaws, how do they come off?  There's no slot in these screws for a screwdriver, or anything I can see.  I could drill them and use and ez-out, but I'd rather not.

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks ya'll.

Rock Island is my favorite bench vise. Toughest ones built in my opinion. Your looks like there later style with screw in jaw pads.

 

For screws like that I have drilled a hole in the center and drove in an easy out, square shank and turn them out. Also used sqaure drive inserts before when I easy out wasnt available.

 

As far as the resto, I would suggest not using a wire wheel, the bodies on these are soft and its easy to round edges and damage the markings.To be honest, I usually knock off the loose paint and use them as is. A vise during use gets pretty dirty and scratched up, and to me I guess its preserving history :rolleyes:

Use a small sharp point and scrape the head of that fastener in the jaw. It may be a slotted screw that is completely packet full of crud. I often find screws like that on equipment. They look like rivets but when cleaned they turn out to be screws.

 

Good luck

if there is no slot you could weld a bolt to the screw head and then use a wrench after a liberal dose of wd40.

That jaw looks perfect as-is.  The crosshatching is almost new, so why try to remove it?

I think he means to use it as a template to make a replacement for the missing other side. That is what I have done. I just get allen head bolts to replace the slot heads.

Yes, I intend to remove the jaw so I can use it as a template for the new one I'm goin to mill out.

Also, I took a screw driver and scratched the screws to check, I'll check more thoroughly tomorrow, but I'm pretty sure there's no slots.

Yes, I intend to remove the jaw so I can use it as a template for the new one I'm goin to mill out.

Also, I took a screw driver and scratched the screws to check, I'll check more thoroughly tomorrow, but I'm pretty sure there's no slots.

Humm not slotted. Odd. Maybe the fasteners are just friction fit? pressed in. I think a full cleaning and penetrating oil is in store to help revile what is what.

I have an old 4" post vise that my grandfather got out of an old plant here in my home town, I don't know if it was original or not but when I went through the vise cleaning it up after I put it in my shop the jaw plates looked very similar to those and they ended up being plug welded on, I didn't remove them but I figured if i ever had to I could just drill the welds out and either re-tap the vise jaws or plug weld new ones on. I don't know how welding them would effect the vise or the jaws but it has held up well for me over the past few years

Sorry that was supposed to be yost vise* not post vise

Well, I pulled out the bolts with an EZ-out, and they came out easily enough. 

Upon closer inspection....   I still have no idea how they were installed. No apparent slot or anything.  All I can figure is that it's seen so much use it mushroomed the bolt head into itself.  But the jaw isn't all that torn up.   idk.

 

Glad they came out. If they were flush I would say the just turned them in and cut off excess. But like you stated, they were recessed so this was not so. The mysteries are many with old tools

Well, I got her pulled apart, completely cleaned and degreased, and then stripped off all the old paint. 

So this is how she stands now.

 

 

 

And I'm trying to decide what color to paint it. Does anyone know what the original color on these was? I don't know if the paint that was on it was original.

 

These are the 3 colors I have on hand. What do ya'll think?


 

Hi oldanvilyoungsmith!

 

Your vise came out very well. I wouldn't suggest to paint it at all.

Now it has got a very nice surface and overall look.

Just add a Layer of Owatrol oil which works very good or maybe linseed oil for sealing.

 

Greetz,

 

Hannes

I also have a rock island model 574 and love it.
It has the original paint still on it and it is grey, just a tiny bit darker than what you have. I know it is original paint as when I got it there was still a factory sticker on the front jaw.
If it was me I would go with what I like the most. It isn't like this is for a museum, it is to be used.
I appreciate the post as I have wondered myself how to get them off. But never really needed too.
My handle is 12" long made of 5/8" stock. They turned down the end and press fit a ball on both ends. the final size of the ball is 1.060" on both ends.

I have been giving the slotless screws some thought. Question, are there and perceptible ridges on the face of the screws. All I could think of is a reverse style screw, instead of a slot, a raised blade if you will. Make this thin enough and it would shear when the proper tourqe was reached. This would allow a smooth clean face and the QC to know the jaws pads were tourqed to specs.

That's a fine vice & very nicely restored..

 

I'd be reluctant putting paint on that if it was mine. A good coat of diesel mixed with a heavy oil and brush it into it and get the vice back working.

Awesome restoration job, so far.

 

Go with the "battleship" grey.  OEM or not, it's a super cool color that's sure to enhance the holding power of your vise!

Well, I do agree somewhat with the no painting sentiment, but as this is going to be my new hotwork vise, and my hot shop has only two walls, and gets wet with any decent rain, a paint coat is needed to fend off rust.

I decided to go with battleship gray, it just seemed to fit the vise's style.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also milled out the new jaws the other day, so now they're on and ready to go. It's all finished up, and I'll take some pics tomorrow. I plan to get it mounted this weekend.

 

 

 

 

 

Sorry, my week's been crazy, but I've got finished pics now. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pretty set of dentures on that old girl :P

 

Nice job on the whole restoration

I have a 82a or 92a but it works

On 9/7/2013 at 11:00 PM, oldanvilyoungsmith said:

And I'm trying to decide what color to paint it. Does anyone know what the original color on these was? I don't know if the paint that was on it was original.

 

 

I just bought one today and it only has two coats of paint, top most is some crazy green color, definitely not the right color, but, the bottom paint is gray and looks like may be original color. Me, I am going with the gray on restoration of mine.

Edited April 19, 20215 yr by Mod30
Trim quote.