Vice Overhaul

I bought a vice some time ago and it has been laying around on my bench moving from the one corner to the other just being in my way.

But tonight was the night I started again doing something more productive than catching up on Vampire Diaries.

I am very new to all of this so it will be a bit of a learning curve, all I hope to do is maybe share some of my experiences, learn from others, meet some friends and document some of the projects I attempt.

So here goes.

It is a Record Vice that has seen some better days. It looks like it is made up out of two different vices as the two heads are different colors, it has a couple of grinder marks in the front. Question is how did they get there?
The vice is dirty, the paint is pealing off and rust is starting to set in, but overall will probably keep on working for years.

Just a quick note. I have no real mechanical knowledge, I pick up little things here and there, but basically I figure things out as I go.

Disassemble 
(And not like extreme makeover) We won't be using large machines or explosives.

At the back of the vice head there is a little plate with a screw. I removed it and it revealed the place where the moving head runs on the thread which makes the vice open and close. Normally all the vice info is on this plate. Model No, Where it was made, but that has been lost to the vice for some time.

 I removed the pin and two washers at the back which released the part that keeps everything on the straight and narrow. I just bent the two ends towards each other and knocked it out. Keep it so that U can replace it later. U can put a new one in but as long as the ends don't break off there is no need. It can't be seen when mounted on a bench and it does not take any strain.

Here is a picture of underneath and some more things to loosen up.

Keep all parts together in a bucket or somewhere save and together.

 The flat part running down the middle is the part that is connected to the quick release in the front. Loosen two more square bolts and the bracket comes loose which holds the lock nut that runs on the thread.

Nut is removed and it is filled with dirt and old grease which will need to be replaced at the very end as it is a messy business.

SPARK is your best friend if something is stuck. Spray on a bit and it will loosen up most metal to metal parts.

The moving head needed to be slipped off but did not want to budge. After a bit of spark it came off without any problems. It is all the dirt and old grease that kept it in place.

Couple of pictures of all the parts.

Cleaning

Here I am in the process of cleaning all the parts. I use a solution that removes all grease and oils without any problems. I apply with a brush and let is soak over night, just due to the fact that I needed to finish up for the evening.

Next Post will be more cleaning and then paint removal.

Until next time...