Cleaning Miter Vices

BarbH

Grumbler in Training
Joined
Apr 15, 2015
Posts
10
Location
Marshall Minnesota
Hello. I recently purchased 6 very well used miter vices (see photo). I'd like to get them cleaned up. Can anyone advise me on how to disassemble them? Thanks much!
 

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Hello. I recently purchased 6 very well used miter vices (see photo). I'd like to get them cleaned up. Can anyone advise me on how to disassemble them? Thanks much!
The vise in the picture doesn't really look that bad.
I have seen and used some much worse than that one.
It's not a Stanley, but it's not a Chinese knock-off.

You don't really need to disassemble the vises to clean them.
Don't use any water or you will create rust on the cast iron.

I personally own 8 vises similar to that, some are Stanleys and we have 8 more at work.
I have used miter vises for 48 years.

If the only issue is the glue and it's Corner Weld or some other framing glue, you can take a heat gun, like the shrink wrap gun, and just heat up the metal in the glue areas and the glue will just peel off of the metal with a chisel or screwdriver. (don't burn your hands)

Here in Arizona in the summer, we can just put them outside in the sun for a while and they will get hot enough for the glue to peel off.

Good luck.
 
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The vise in the picture doesn't really look that bad.

that was my first thought too. if you really must have it cleaned up go ahead and scrape the glue off with whatever you've got handy (chisel, screw driver...) Just don't get it wet. if there is any surface rust present a wire brush or some sandpaper will probably take care of it. some paste wax will help protect any exposed metal if you live in a particularly humid environment. We've got about a dozen similar vises that frankly look even worse off than yours and we use them evey day.
 
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