Leg Vise Finish

[stormking]

I am cleaning up an old Leg Vise (Trenton dated 1902) for use. I don't like paint on a vise but don't want to leave it unprotected either. Anyone know what finish came on these vises? or have a suggestion. Are there any draw backs to the wax & linseed oil finish? Thanks in advance for any help.

[john k]

On the half dozen leg vises I've cleaned up the color has varied.  On a 4 inch no-name I found traces of red in the crevises.   On a 6inch there was some dark industrial green paint residue.  Most vises I've seen restored the owners just paint them black. 

[johnsironsanctuary]

I coated mine with pure linseed oil after a good cleaning with a cup brush. That was five years ago and it still looks good.

[rudeawakening55]

Thanks for the information as am just going to start clean a 6" post leg vise up.

[stormking]

Thanks for the info, I'm going to try the Bees wax and Linseed oil.

[Branson]

Bee's wax and linseed will do fine, though I was taught to apply it to heated metal.  You'll probably do just as well with mineral oil, though.  Just put a little one, rub it around, and then wipe down with a cloth.  That's kept the tubes on my ShopSmith rust free for the past year sitting outside under a cover.

[Branson]

Almost forgot.  I've never seen an old leg vise with any paint on it at all.  One of mine is a 1906, and it never had paint.  With a blacksmith's tool paint doesn't make much sense in my opinion.  It'll get dinged and chipped in short order.  Oil is the best option for protecting the surface.

[scottg]

wax and linseed
 I'd go with it too.
 Melt up a 1-1-1 mix with your favorite solvent (kero, paint thinner, turps, etc etc)
I use it on lots of things.   
 yours Scott

[lauver]

Gang,

Take scottg's word on this.  I have, and have yet to regret it