where to begin? restore an antique leg vise

Now that’s a vise!!

-- Lew- Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!

How much did you end up paying for it?

-- Williamsport, MD

A good cleaning. Buy some grain alcohol and a toothbrush and get as much grit and grime off the thing as you can….Then you will have any idea what needs to be fixed because you should be able to see it.

Great score by the way.

-- Make furniture that lasts as long as the tree - Ryan

Thanks guys! I have some deck cleaner that is great for removing oxidation. Was thinking of using that, then BLO to see how the wood restores. The wood screw is in fairly good condition, the old bench leg and chop, not so much. Whatever I salvage, i’ll be happy with.

-- John Franklin - Central PA - http://affyx.wordpress.com

Keni: I went to pick it up $15 in hand, I ended up spending $25 for two vises and a box of tools – i’m giddy!
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Vise 1:

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Vise 2:

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Vise 1 screw & nut:

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Box’o’tools:

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and it’s Friday! All is right with the world!

-- John Franklin - Central PA - http://affyx.wordpress.com

the screw is toofar gone in its sweet spot to really get much use out of it, so I think I’ll turn this into something useful…

-- John Franklin - Central PA - http://affyx.wordpress.com

That will be a good salvage.

-- Make furniture that lasts as long as the tree - Ryan

Nice finds. I love the leg vice.

-- There is nothing like the sound of a well tuned hand plane. - http://timetestedtools.wordpress.com (timetestedtools at hotmail dot c0m)

I like your drawing, but I can’t figure it out. What is the screw actually accomplishing in the drawing?

-- "hold fast to that which is good"

thanks

not sure yet Brandon, trying to come up with a way to use it as a stretcher with the chop as the top and the old leg as the, well, legs…

-- John Franklin - Central PA - http://affyx.wordpress.com

That two speed egg beater drill was worth the money, I use mine all the time. Its amazing how much torque you can generate with one of those on your chest.. GOOD deal all around..

-- Papa@papaswoodworking.com