fishnaked Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 Same story as the anvil I asked about the other day. However, I've been using this vise for the past 15 years. It is just now that that I'm cleaning it up and wishing to learn more about it. I'm curious if there's any way to tell the rough year of manufacture from looking at the photos below. Yes, this vise has seen some heavy use and probably some abuse. The other thing I'm curious about is the spring. From looking at pics on the Net, I saw right off that it's missing the spring. I'm guessing I'll have as much luck seeing a blue moon than finding one. Any info would be appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kozzy Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 Here's a history of iron city tool works from a collector site http://trowelcollector.blogspot.com/2015/11/history-of-iron-city-tool-works.html Can't help with the age right off but IIRC the logo went through a couple of changes that help pin down items within a couple of decades. I'll come back after some research if I can find that info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted January 27, 2018 Share Posted January 27, 2018 2 hours ago, fishnaked said: I'm guessing I'll have as much luck seeing a blue moon than finding one. Your in luck, there is a blue moon on the last day of January 2018 and another blue moon the last day of March 2018. As to the spring, make one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 27, 2018 Share Posted January 27, 2018 Since you can make a spring cold out of mild steel strap, it should take less than an hour and you can use the vise to make it, you will have plenty of time to go moon watching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishnaked Posted January 28, 2018 Author Share Posted January 28, 2018 Thanks, guys! Re making my own, cold.... as in not forging? If so, can you tell me more, please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 28, 2018 Share Posted January 28, 2018 Get a piece of scrap strap stock. Put in post vise with about 3/8" protruding up. Hammer over making the catch to ride on top of the mounting fixture. Leave the height of the mounting fixture strap straight and bend an arc into the rest of the piece. Hacksaw or chisel a slit in the far end and seperate it to trap it on the moving leg. Figuring out the correct amount of arc, length, etc may take practice; but it's a simple piece to make. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishnaked Posted January 29, 2018 Author Share Posted January 29, 2018 16 hours ago, ThomasPowers said: Get a piece of scrap strap stock. Thanks! Now, I'm really going to expose my ignorance. What is "strap stock"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 To me strap stock is considerably wider than it is thick and generally not too heavy so 1"x1/4" is strap as is 1" x 1/8". AKA flat stock. Just to be obnoxious I may try making my next one from a RR spike...much more work than necessary! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishnaked Posted January 29, 2018 Author Share Posted January 29, 2018 48 minutes ago, ThomasPowers said: To me strap stock is considerably wider than it is thick and generally not too heavy so 1"x1/4" is strap as is 1" x 1/8". AKA flat stock. Just to be obnoxious I may try making my next one from a RR spike...much more work than necessary! Ok, that was my first thought... but I was assuming to get the spring action, one had to have a special spring steel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 Funny that the spring constant is pretty much the same for all steel, the amount it will bend before taking a set is what changes. So if you build the spring within the "doesn't take a set" range there isn't a problem. Generally you don't need much throw in a vise so not a problem. If your vise has a stiff movement you may need to use a thicker strap stock for the spring or convert to a higher carbon spring stock and make the arc more substantial to get it to move. I usually just clean the bearing point and oil and make it easier to move... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 3 hours ago, fishnaked said: I'm really going to expose my ignorance. That's not ignorance but being unfamiliar with certain terms. You might read through this thread. https://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/53873-read-this-first/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted January 30, 2018 Share Posted January 30, 2018 5 hours ago, ThomasPowers said: Funny that the spring constant is pretty much the same for all steel, the amount it will bend before taking a set is what changes. Mind blown. <Treadle hammer linkage redesign processing.> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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