Need some assistance repairing a Columbian bench vise

[ProjectBazza]

I bought this vise new about 30 years ago or so (Columbian model D56 w/6-1/2" jaws), but I don't recall where exactly (Sears, Home Depot, Northern Tool, ???). Worked great, and served me well/fit my needs, but when I sold my first house and moved in 2011, something "let go" inside, and ever since then it tightens up just fine, but it doesn't "loosen up" (the jaws won't retract when I turn the spindle out). In other words, the spindle just "unscrews" itself, and it doesn't bring the movable jaw with it.

I got really sick of it just now, so I took it off the bench and tore it apart:

Looking online I see all sorts of different mechanisms (collars, clips, etc) used to hold the spindle into the "moving portion" of the vice, like this one ("spring clips and washer", item #5):

But I can't find a diagram that shows a spindle that has two grooves, and utilizes a spring somewhere:

There was a sheared-off pin inside the vice:

But I can't see what it goes. (And it may just be a shear pin from an old snowblower!)

I think I'm missing (at least one) c-clip somewhere, but is anyone here able to offer some advice/assistance on what I need to repair this thing? I'd rather not buy a new one, as 1) I hate wasting things, and 2) This one still does the job for me/seems to be heavy enough, so I'd like to fix it.

Thanks!

Jim

 

[toolmanmike]

I bought this vise new about 30 years ago or so (Columbian model D56 w/6-1/2" jaws), but I don't recall where exactly (Sears, Home Depot, Northern Tool, ???). Worked great, and served me well/fit my needs, but when I sold my first house and moved in 2011, something "let go" inside, and after that happened it still tightens up just fine, but it doesn't "loosen up" (the jaws won't retract when I turn the spindle out).

I got really sick of it just now, so I tore it apart:

View attachment 1716370872

Looking online I see all sorts of different mechanisms (collars, clips, etc) used to hold the spindle into the "moving portion" of the vice, like this one:

View attachment 1716370873

But I can't find a diagram that shows a spindle that has two grooves, and uses a spring:

View attachment 1716370877
View attachment 1716370883

There was a sheared-off pin inside the vice:

View attachment 1716370884

But I can't see what it goes. (And it may just be a shear pin from an old snowblower!)

Is anyone here able to offer some advice/assistance on what I need to repair this thing? I'd rather not buy a new one, as 1) I hate wasting things, and 2) This one still does the job for me/seems to be heavy enough, so I'd like to fix it.

Thanks!

Jim

It probably needs a vise nut. I used to stock them on my tool truck. Examine the threads closely inside the nut. The screw threads rarely wear out enough to cause an issue.

 

[ProjectBazza]

It probably needs a vise nut. I used to stock them on my tool truck. Examine the threads closely inside the nut. The screw threads rarely wear out enough to cause an issue.

Thanks, Mike.

The "main vise nut" (#3 in the diagram) looked good when I removed it, and the spindle screwed into, and out of, it just fine. Or looking at this another way, it's like a nut in that I can spin it on, and off, the spindle w/o any problems.

When the vise was on the bench it was nice and smooth, too. The spindle would back-out of the vise slicker than snot, but it didn't seem to be connected to the "front jaw" (#1 in that same diagram) in any way, and I would have to physically pull on the front jaw to get it to open.

 

[RustyRatRod]

The #5 spring clip shown in the diagram is missing on yours. it must have that in place to pull the vise jaw out when you loosen the vise. The bottom of the vise jaw post is hollow, right?

 

[Demonic]

Either post #2 or #4 is the answer.

 

[ProjectBazza]

The #5 spring clip shown in the diagram is missing on yours. it must have that in place to pull the vise jaw out when you loosen the vise. The bottom of the vise jaw post is hollow, right?

I agree with you, Rusty, and I’m thinking of hitting the hardware store and going through their bins of e- and c-clips sometime soon.

Except where (or how) does the spring come in? And why two grooves on the spindle?

And, yes. The bottom of the movable jaw is hollow, so I do have some access to the mechanism.

I’m sure I’ll figure it out eventually, but I woulda thunk I coulda found an exploded view, ya know?

 

[RustyRatRod]

Number on the side of the vise, please?

 

[ProjectBazza]

Number on the side of the vise, please?

A little hard to make out here, but I get a “D6” and a “D56”.

I think the D56 is correct, but only because I was able to find a bunch of pictures (eBay, etc) using that number.

 

[Scamp Rhonda]

I think RRR is right. I have a vice that does the same thing. I just tap it with a hammer and it slides apart easily. I think my C clip is missing also. Lol

 

[ProjectBazza]

I think RRR is right. I have a vice that does the same thing. I just tap it with a hammer and it slides apart easily. I think my C clip is missing also. Lol

Hey! Once I get mine fixed, send it my way and I’ll fix ‘er up for you for free!

Of course you’d have to pay for shipping, both ways…..



(Edit: Just noticed you’re in Blaine. Well, heck! I guess I could fix it for you….after I fix mine, that is!)

 

[RustyRatRod]

Here is how it assembles. As you can see, they show the spring on the outside, but only to show assembly. We know it cannot go on the outside and it was not, so you will assemble in this manner, but with everything on "the other side" of the outside jaw.

 

[bcschief]

A more dedicated site is The Garage Journal – Garage Design & Tools For The Working Man!

 

[ProjectBazza]

Here is how it assembles. As you can see, they show the spring on the outside, but only to show assembly. We know it cannot go on the outside and it was not, so you will assemble in this manner, but with everything on "the other side" of the outside jaw.

View attachment 1716370976

Thank you! I bow to your superior “Google-foo”, sir!

So it looks like only one of the grooves was used, and I guess if you think about it, perhaps they used that same spindle in different models.

I’ll clean-up the spindle tomorrow and get some dimensions on that groove in preparation for the hardware store visit.

Thanks again!

 

[ProjectBazza]

A more dedicated site is The Garage Journal – Garage Design & Tools For The Working Man!

I’ve never seen that site before, but based on a quick “drive-by”, looks like a good place to spend a few hours.

Or more….

Thanks!

(I think!

 

[bcschief]

I’ve never seen that site before, but based on a quick “drive-by”, looks like a good place to spend a few hours.

Or more….

Thanks!

(I think!

I am surprised no one beat me to the punch.

 

[R72Demon]

You could ditch the c clip and go with the correct size shaft collar from the hardware store for a better fix.

 

[ProjectBazza]

You could ditch the c clip and go with the correct size shaft collar from the hardware store for a better fix.

Actually, I have a small assortment of c-clips for small John Deere axles out in the shed, and one of them (3/4", I believe) worked perfectly!

I cleaned and lubed everything while reassembling it, and the vice works as good as new now.