Samsonia 28A Perfect Model J vice

[zebedee2001]

Hi All,

I have inherited the above vice a while ago & given the curent situation thought it was about time I did something with it. I have a couple of questions:-

1. Any ideas where I can get a replacement spring from?The original has snapped but I have bodged it for the moment with a jubilee clip!
2. Should the vice fully unwind with the handle? This one releases around half a turn then pulls the quick release handle in. Is it broken or part of the design (I seem to rememver a vice at school in metalwork doing the same!)

Thanks for any help.

 

[Burnerman]

It sounds like your vice has a butress thread, which drives on only one flank and usually is paired with a quick release mechanism.
Lubrication of the thread and nut is essential as wear will cause the tightening action to slip.
Photos will,help!
John

 

[Burnerman]

I should have said, the butress thread mustn’t have any grot in the threads or nut so the first thing to do is to wire brush all varnish, sawdust etc away.
These were very common on the woodwork vice of old rather than the engineering vice which used a square thread for strength.
John

 

[zebedee2001]

I think it is working as it should given the screw thread

 

[Burnerman]

Expect the main thread and the half nut to be made from different materials.....the main thread looks to be ok bit I can’t see the nut clearly enough.
Once the threads are clean and lightly lubricated the vice should open completely when turning the handle, and the spring needs to keep the nut tightly bound on the main thread.
John

 

[zebedee2001]

I've actually got it working! Needed to tighten the spring a bit more. Not w=easy when a Jubilee clip is holding it together.

Anyway, it's working a treat. Thanks for your help.

If anyway has a spare spring.....!

 

[Burnerman]

Most welcome!
Have you a pic of the spring, just for interest?
John