Columbian 605 Machinist Vise Jaw Replacement Assistance

[OilyRascal]

I have this Columbian 605 vise that I'd like to restore to working condition. 



I've dis-mounted the vise from the workbench, taken it apart, and cleaned it for inspection/repairs.  I do believe it is noteworthy to to state it is an older 605 - not the modern 605-M3



This is the current state of the jaw on the fixed side of the vise  (can't recall the term for the fixed side).  It would appear it has either been sheared off OR has had some metal buildup.



Another view



NOW - Here is a view of the jaw on the side of the vise that moves (again, at a loss for that term).



I was about to bail off feet first into taking the vise into the machine shop assuming it needed buildup and a groove cut for a T-shape jaw in the other side.  I've slept on it and it's occurred to me that I've never restored a vise, have little experience with them, and I might want to seek some help first.  I'm asking for your comments/assistance, in general, with reconditioning the vise - but my specific questions right now:  1) Are the jaws for both sides of the vise made the same, meaning should it have a "T" shaped jaw insert on both sides  2)  Will the jaws for the modern 605-M3 fit the much older 605?  3)  Do you know of a trusted vendor that might supply the jaws for this vise? 4)  It appears the original color of this vise was some shade of brigther red - does this seem right?

Any assistance you might provide is appreciated.

[kxxr]

A photo swiped from the 'Vises of GJ" thread showing the jaws of one restored.

[Batz]

How cool is that vise!

[OilyRascal]

Update - Vise clean for the most part with a much better exposure of the issues.







This jaw doesn't look horrible, but again it doesn't look great either.



The handle is ever so slightly bent.  I believe it will remain that way.  I can't see myself making any progress on a bend that slight.

A photo swiped from the 'Vises of GJ" thread showing the jaws of one restored.

Thanks, Kit!  I think that answers at least one question.  I question that Ford blue versus the red I've found.  Maybe they came in different colors over time....or were offered in various colors.....or maybe it was blue although I didn't find a stitch of evidence.

How cool is that vise!

Batz, Hold my beer and watch this -  I'll be back in a bit with a restored vise that will compete with the blue wonder :)

[john k]

The Columbia vises I've noted have all been that industrial red in color.   Have one at work, still the toughest thing in the shop.   It looks like a  bit of steel is missing from the back jaw, but I wouldn't let it bother me.  I'd simly find a piece of steel that will fit in that space.   Measure those holes,  drill it so one can install the screws, assemble it and use it.   What the heck did you shine that vise up with?  An angle grinder?  Or the toughest wire wheel I've seen?    It sure cleaned off that old weld splatter. 

[OilyRascal]

A hunk of metal is missing is right.  Any thoughts out there on grinding what's left of the lower lip off, ensuring it's square, machining screw holes, and installing the newer style flat Wilton jaws?  Am I making to much to do of a purchased "jaw", and just need hard square metal to bite with?

I used a "Sandblaster" multi-layer 150 grit woven sanding disc (versus a resin sanding disc) to cleanup rough spots after 3 hours of cup brushing with a 1/2" grinder.

[johnsironsanctuary]

Oily,
I don't recall seeing a mill in your tool fleet, but if that was my vice, I'd grind off the broken part if it protrudes and make a new jaw out of a block of mild steel, drill it for screws, bolt it in and use it. You probably shouldn't hammer on vice jaws anyway, especially not this one.

[john k]

Right, think mild steel, not tool steel for a jaw plate. 

[scottg]

The vise body is probably malleable iron. Most are.
 
 I would square up the broken part (see pic) nice and even.
 Angle grinder if you are good with one. Or a honkin big double cut bastard file ought to work too.
 Then make a square to fill the hole from mild steel. looks like 3/4 or 1" square bar stock and fit from there. 
 
 Now drill and tap for a standard flat jaw insert.
If you're lucky you can line up both the holes for the new jaw liner with your patch and only have to drill and tap once.
If not, well it's malleable iron. It will drill and tap a breeze either way.
  yours Scott 
 

[anglesmith]

Oily,  What ever you do don't cut off the lower step, that is needed to support the jaw! I agree with Scott take the shoulder back to minamise the rough edge by whatever means you can and drill and tap two holes in the backface. The rough broken edge BTW is the usual result when someone trys to stick weld steel vise jaws to cast iron! An old adage sums it up, "Some folk to save their trouble usually make their labour double" ( or as in this case, some one elses !)
Graeme

[OilyRascal]

Thank you all for the comments.

The vise had another issue that I didn't see until today.  At the top where it was sheared it has also broken away a good bit of metal back into the vise (right about where Scott's lower arrow is pointing).  If I were to cut it back further to square it true, it would lose probably another 3/8" to the missing metal.  It is missing a spot about the width of a pencil lead, 3/8" deep, about 1" long.

My current plan is this:  1) fill the jaw area to build it up whereas I can true that top piece at a 45 degree to the lower lip (leaving the lower lip), 2) take it to the machine shop and have them precision true the top of the lower piece, and the right angle going to the top of the vise.

Where I go from there is still undecided.  I had thought, as suggested, about cutting a piece from keystock and filling that are for a flat face, and then milling a jaw.   My question is this, is there some benefit to doing that over just having one piece milled that will ride on top of the lower piece that is left, but also provide for the flat face jaw?  I'm essentially suggesting a one piece L shaped jaw versus two pieces (one to fill and one for a jaw).

FYI - Machine shop work comes at a very reasonable rate for me.  I have a good friend that I've known all my life that owns a machine shop here in town.  My thought was to have them mill that one piece L shaped jaw.  Thoughts?

I've left the vise with my brother for a couple of days for help.  He manages a group of refinery welders and feels comfortable he can have the fill work done.  I trust his team's judgement, experience, and skills over the machine shop's - I think.

Thanks again to those who commented and provided some direction.  Feel free to provide more and keep me honest, PLEASE :)