Old Columbian Woodworking Vise

So much rust so little time. First, I would try Electrolysis for about a week. Hopefully there will be some steel left when done. Best of luck and I look forward to seeing it all cleaned up.

I would try Evaporust the stuff work pretty good on rusted stuff they sell it at harbor freight

-- But hon I need this tool.......

i second electrolysis

-- Joel -- http://diversitywoodworks.wordpress.com

Nice Catch! I would use Kroil or PB Blaster penetrating oil, keep it wet for a couple of days, then wire brush as much of the rust off as you can. If it’s functional then, I would just clean and lube it and put it to work!

Tool collectors (I’m not one) might want to preserve as much of the original blue finish as possible, and I think the electrolysis treatment wouldn’t accomplish that.

-- Smitty

Best of luck on the restoration.
I am out of my comfort zone here, but I would be careful of using electrolysis. Removing material, especially around the threads, makes me pause.

-- The greatest risk is not taking one...

No disrespect to the others who think Electrolysis will damage your vise. Electrolysis does not in any way eat away good metal. If you use electrolysis first and there are no threads left when done you had a vise that was a total basket case and would fail when pressure was applied. Wouldn’t you like to know that before doing a full restore and mount of your vise on your workbench?
I have had great sucess with electrolysis. See this as an example: http://lumberjocks.com/ratchet/blog/21662

I do not beleive this vise holds any collectors value other than as a user.

50% Automatic Transmission Fluid
50% Acetone

It’s flammable so be careful.

ratchet- thanks for the correction, and the restoration you posted looks like a great job.
billy- your restoration also looks fantastic.

-- The greatest risk is not taking one...

Very Nice lookin vise Bill!!! Yes your’s is very similar to mine in every aspect other than the layout of the markings. Mine is slightly different from what I can see.

THanks everyone for there fast responses to my restore I am considering tackling here really soon. I also want to say that I was not quite sure if this was the correct place to post this. Projects really didn’t seem like the right place to me but who knows. Also I really think that there is a totally different crowd of very well educated folks that mainly surf the blogs on here and offer up great tips, ideas, and there personal opinion on everything I have done so far on this site.

I was really surprised to see there was not any comments on my version of “the good ol days”.....lol
Maybe its best if nobody read that far down just skimmed the blog and caught the main questions asked for this one.
All in all thanks everyone for there help, I am probably gonna consider getting a jug of that evaporust since it is not toxic as far as I can tell by searching for it and reading about it. I will add to this in a bit ….....gotta run

-- Im all night long!! all night .. all night .. ALL NIGHT LONG

I want to see a pic of that repurposed lawnmower! That sounds like redneck engineering at its finest. I was afraid to comment on the “good old days” as we have some law enforcement members here! LOL

-- " I'll try to be nicer, if you'll try to be smarter" gfadvm

I will have to snap a pic of his ride the next time he stops by on it. Gfadvm! Its hillarious seeing him ride this thing around town. Picture in your head an 90’s black craftsman mower with the deck removed. Cheap fog lights mounted on the front that can be purchased at walmart. A set of four wheeler tires on the back that look like they came off of an older model wheeler, the balloon looking ones that are clear bald. Chains on them though for added traction in the woods. Front tires are stock mower tires. And one of those utility trailers that are actually used with riding mowers hitched in the rear that is being held together with a few broken bungee cords tied and not much else.
If you can get that picture I will be sure to add the final snapshot soon….lol
It’s a slow moving champ though just not on steep descents.

-- Im all night long!! all night .. all night .. ALL NIGHT LONG

Another vote for Evaporust. Everytime I use it I can’t believe my eyes. I submerge heavily rust items and just let them bathe for a day. Stop by every once in a while and shake the tub to circulate the solution. It’s reusable until exhausted. Filter it back into the container.

-- DJ Peck, Lincoln Nebraska. I don't have a Shop. I think of it as a Tool Chase. Where the hell did I put that?

Well (Gfadvm) not sure of your real name? You are in luck late last night I replied to your post about gettin a snap shot of that Well Crafted Riding Lawnmower!!! that my buddy rides all over town and through the woods on. Was not exactly sure when I would see him again because he is the type of person who is hard to locate or find. Not sure of the exact term for this type of person. Someone who shows up unannounced though. Well to make my day he showed up to grab a drink and bum a smoke off of me this evening here. I told him I wanted to take a pic of his mower for some lame reason (not the truth) obviously. He was ok with this as he sipped his cola and lit up his cig. It was getting quite dark out at the time but my camera managed to take a descent pic. Well here she is looking all mean and rugged!!!
Hope you Enjoy!!!
Note: While Holding down the Control key Ctrl then tapping the plus or minus key + , - a few times will enlarge or decrease the size of the page for better viewing of pictures or text. Some already know this but just a little trick incase of anyone that might not be aware of this. This way when viewing pages on the internet those small pictures or text will be enlarged for better viewing!

-- Im all night long!! all night .. all night .. ALL NIGHT LONG

Thanks so much for taking the time to do this. I LOVE IT! That is pure,24 carat Redneck Engineering at its best! What’s not to love about it? (other than the fact that my wife would disown me)

-- " I'll try to be nicer, if you'll try to be smarter" gfadvm

Thanks for the +, – trick JN!