Rock Island No. 144 Vise - Restoration

[OilyRascal]

There has been a matter of this certain vise laying outside the shop in the mud that has bothered me since I saw it laying there.  Today I decided to bring it into the shop and see what issues might exist with it's use.



This is what I had once I got it into the shop.  I will guess it weighs in over 200, as I could only nudge it around by hand as a whole.





The jaws look much better on this one.



This is after I wore the first two cup brushes out.



A better look at the jaws with it cleaned up a bit



This is my only area of real concern.  I'm not certain, but it sure smells like a good piece of support is missing here just above the base on the back side of the vise.



And after some definition on the jaw.  I spent lots of time with a file today.



My day ran late and I ran out of time to get any further.  More to come.............

[fflintstone]

looks like a project.

[john k]

I will comment as to the age of that vise.  Most of the vises I've seen made in or since WWII have the end of the screw that the handle slides through as a turned squarish shape.  Those built in the 1930s and before have that pleasing ball shape.  So its a good bet that vise is already 70 years old.   200lbs. darn that would take a bench and a half to hold up. 

[Bagotcorner]

Is oily Rascal still active here?
I'm looking for a photo of his 144 Rock island

[Papaw]

He hasn't posted since last November, but I think he has been busy with some building projects.

[Nolatoolguy]

He hasn't posted since last November, but I think he has been busy with some building projects.

He is on my fb an he posts time to time. He's always on some sort of project, an very good work he does.