Hi, i have a rusty old leg vise that has been outside for decades. I want to fix it. I found it difficult to describe all the parts and which ones were loose, so i filmed it instead.
YouTube - A broken old leg vise

I haven't used these kind of vises before so i am not familiar with the mechanics of it.

How should the parts move/not move? Any ideas where to start in order to fix it without ruining it?

heres a link Blacksmith Vises : Solid Box, Post or Leg Vise (Vice)
looks like you need a spring . also the back part has guide on the botton that fits in a slot cut in the rear jaw ...un screw the screw and rotate the nut to line the tab up with the slot the screw the screw back in.
you can use a piece of auto leaf spring to make a new one for your vise ...see the picture in the link above

melonkernel
How is it you go from two black shows to a one black and one white shoe in the video? Yes, we do notice these things. (grin)

Glenn thats the camera ladies shoe

I thought that at first too, til I thought about it and then realized it was the camera person.

welder19

Thanks jimbob for the information.
So it is the spring that is missing. (see attached picture)
i'll make a new spring for the vice from some spring steel. I wonder how tight it should be. How much force is needed to close such a vice? If it is the same spring as in the picture it can be fairly difficult to get it in there since there are these plates in that area. And they are bolted there, the round knobs are on both sides.
would it be possible to have a spring-shaped spring around the bar between the jaws?

melonkernel
How is it you go from two black shows to a one black and one white shoe in the video? Yes, we do notice these things. (grin)

I have weather sensitive slippers that react to moisture and turn white when the grass is wet. No, the white slippers belong to my brother in law who I "forced" to come filming, i needed both my hands in order to move the parts around.

Edited August 20, 200817 yr by melonkernel

First thing soak it in some warm oil to free up everything. Nothing fancy- I use dirty sump oil.

First thing soak it in some warm oil to free up everything. Nothing fancy- I use dirty sump oil.

I'll do that.
Maybe it is behind these (attatched picture), i can attach the top end of the leaf spring.
As it is done here aswell.

Edited August 20, 200817 yr by melonkernel

take a look at BP1009 by Hofi ...he shows a different type spring that might work better in your vise. he also points out the spring is just used to hold the front jaw open

Ah, what nice blueprints there are on this site I'll have to experiment and see what fits best.
Thank you.

Hi, it is now fixed. There was a spring o it, but the parts were so rusty and stuck together that the spring didn't have the power to push back the jaw. But with some sandpaper and some oil, plus that i loosened the tight bolt a bot, it works like a charm now.
Thank you guys for all the help and feedback.

I now only need some post/bench to put it on, and a shop to put the bench in ;)

Any one notice that Melonkernel from Finland got the problem solved in only 24 hours? The comments came from Finland, Georgia, New Jersey, Arizona, China, and WV.

Any one notice that Melonkernel from Finland got the problem solved in only 24 hours? The comments came from Finland, Georgia, New Jersey, Arizona, China, and WV.

What a nice forum. Thanks again for all the help.
... and i learned a lot too.