Warren Hein Posted February 21, 2014 Report Share Posted February 21, 2014 Just started my build this week. Some items, like the Emmert pattern maker vise, I've held onto for over 10 years. Finally I've cleared enough space out of the garage to add a proper tablesaw and start building my bench to replace my woefully inadequate workmate. The wood: 170 bf of hard maple. First leg glue up. Need to justify why I need a dust collector. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted February 21, 2014 Report Share Posted February 21, 2014 That's a nice pile of lumber! Congrats on starting your bench! Welcome to the forums! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Hein Posted February 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2014 I had to move the pile of wood twice by myself on Monday. First to get it off the delivery truck ($30 well spent), then to move it again into it's storage space under my ad-hoc plywood bench, I can tell this bench will not be moving at all on me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Hein Posted February 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2014 If anyone has any recommendations on the best method of cleaning up the patternmaker vise, I'd appreciate the suggestion. I know some people have used electrolysis to clean up smaller objects, but I don't have or want to build a tank for the purpose. I was thinking of taking it to get steam cleaned. My attempts to get the crud off with a wire brush wheel on my drill got some stuff off, but I don't want to be spending several weeks cleaning it up, as I'd rather be building the bench. I'll post up some better pictures of the vise later. The bench design comes from Benchcrafted, and I'll be using their tail vise on my bench, with the Emmert vise in the place of the leg vise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted February 22, 2014 Report Share Posted February 22, 2014 What kind of crud is on the vise? This will determine recommendations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Hein Posted February 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2014 Really just old sawdust/grease. No significant signs of rust, if any. I do need to replace the cam and get the mounting bracket for it as well. Once done, I need to figure out what finish to put on it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted February 22, 2014 Report Share Posted February 22, 2014 For grease I'll sometimes shoot parts with a can of brake or carb cleaner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Hein Posted February 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2014 That may be an option once most of the stuff is off. Is steam cleaning an option? I don't want to introduce rust so I'd probably shoot it with something to protect it afterwards. I don't think WD40 would be good, as it would attract more sawdust to stick to it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted February 22, 2014 Report Share Posted February 22, 2014 Steam might liquify some of the grease but it will not cut it. Rust is more than just a moisture issue. It is an oxygen issue and as such it's better to think of it as oxidation. Don't leave the vise wet and open to air. The faster you dry the material and then treat it with a preventative the better. There are some coatings like Boeshield (another escapes my brain at the moment) that are gaining attention right now that provide decent oxidation protection without needing to be renewed as often as machine oils. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted February 22, 2014 Report Share Posted February 22, 2014 That may be an option once most of the stuff is off. Is steam cleaning an option? I don't want to introduce rust so I'd probably shoot it with something to protect it afterwards. I don't think WD40 would be good, as it would attract more sawdust to stick to it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Steam is a great option for removing grease provided you get it dried and protected immediately after it cools down. Engine cleaner (I think it's called "Gunk") and high pressure water will do a nice job as well. Again, dry and protect immediately when finished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Hein Posted February 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2014 Here's the vise. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trip Posted February 22, 2014 Report Share Posted February 22, 2014 Do know any local auto garages well? Very useful relationship to build for woodworkers -- bearings pulled, gears/pulleys pulled, access to a powered parts washer, etc... For about $5, I'll bet they would put in their parts washer for you: http://www.zorotools.com/g/00026765/k-G1727546?utm_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google_Shopping_Feed&kw={keyword}&gclid=COiD4L7Z4LwCFcY7OgodfwEA3A Then dunk it in some WB surface rust remover and you're going to look like new: http://www.theruststore.com/Evapo-Rust-5-Gallon-P35C1.aspx?UserID=31634168&SessionID=3y6ZKVk5Ye48c8vxIrfG 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Hein Posted February 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2014 Leg tenons cut and mortises for short rails transferred to the legs. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted February 23, 2014 Report Share Posted February 23, 2014 Nice progress! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Hein Posted March 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 Got a lot done this weekend. Still a few mortises to clean out after dry fitting. The tenons on the short stretchers were cut too thin for the mortises (whoops), so I'll have to glue some shims back on before drawboring them together. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoneRider Posted March 11, 2014 Report Share Posted March 11, 2014 Very cool, thanks for taking the time to share. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted March 12, 2014 Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 Coming along nicely! I mis-cut the mortices on a part for my Rolling Library Stair project and had to fill them and recut. We all make mistakes , fixing them where most folks won't notice is the trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted March 12, 2014 Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 Coming along nicely! I mis-cut the mortices on a part for my Rolling Library Stair project and had to fill them and recut. We all make mistakes , fixing them where most folks won't notice is the trick. Any chance of a pic of that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted March 12, 2014 Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 Yep ! Posting it on the project journal tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Hein Posted March 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2014 Decided to take the emmert vise apart tonight and work on cleaning it up. The tilt cam hub has a broken handle and I've got a replacement coming as well as the tilt mechanism. Going to try soaking the broken piece overnight in vinegar and water and see what comes out of it. No major rust flakes. The worst is behind the dogs on one side. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted March 13, 2014 Report Share Posted March 13, 2014 I took some caster frames to a local powder coating shop. They blasted them and put on a tough finish and then baked it on. You would need to make sure that moving parts are not finished anywhere that the finish thickness would interfere. But it sure would look nice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Hein Posted March 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2014 I went ahead and took it to a metal shop, where they bead-blasted it and gave it a nice powder coating. It was pricey, but the results are outstanding. Going to lubricate and reassemble it tonight and make sure everything still fits and moves where necessary. Too bad I can't mount it yet to anything. Guess I need to get started on the top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Hein Posted March 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2014 I think I'm going to cry. I just tried reassembling the vise. Cranked down on the cam to tighten the swivel mount, and snap. Guess I'm going to go back to the metal shop and see whether this is capable of being welded back together. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Hein Posted March 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2014 Judging from the looks of the break, there was already a slight crack that I never noticed. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted March 22, 2014 Report Share Posted March 22, 2014 I have heard of this before on those vises. Sorry to hear yours broke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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