A Grandfather’s Starrett Vise Repaired and Restored

This was one of my favorite projects. This Vise is very sentimental for Brian and to know it’s back in service was very rewarding for both of us.

[@brianrust5275]

Wow... I am speechless. This started out as a quick fix and turned into a big ordeal. I am blow away with your Craftsmanship and your overall generosity. There are no words to describe how happy I am that this Vice is in great working condition and that it will last for many more years and one day my son will have it. Then you probably spent hours making this video on it which I can go back and show my son one day. I am just blown away.... thank you thank you thank you sir!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi Brian! Honestly this was one of my favorite projects! The thought that one day your son will say "Great Grandpa's Vise" is just icing on the cake! =D God Bless!

[@brianrust5275]

It is the sparkly candles that you can’t blow out on top of the icing on top of the 5 tier wedding cake hahah. Again I don’t even have the words to say thank you enough...

[@garyjones7198]

@@ScoutCrafter very nice clean up and repair.. I have a question concerning the lathe.. When you are turning down a rod to remove metal, what is the rule of thumb? How much metal would you remove on each pass? Do you know of anyone that has videos of learning how to use a lathe for us beginners? I find making things on a lathe very fascinating... S.C. thanks for a great video...

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi Gary! The biggest difference between a big and small lathe is how much you can take off with every cut. When turning metal you judge the cut by the material you are cutting and the speed of the cut. You start off small and slowly increase your cut until the lathe starts to bog down or the cut looks bad. KZbin is a fantastic source for learning lathe work. Years ago I bought the Jose Rodriguez lathe videos and they helped a lot! Try looking at Little machine shop .com They are awesome!

[@garyjones7198]

@@ScoutCrafter S.C. thanks for all your help, and I know I say that for many others as well... I'll ck out his videos... S.C. thanks again, I'll probably invest in a small lathe one day to get some experience.. Have you ever seen "Make it Extreme "? .. That guy is amazing... Thanks again and God Bless...

[@joeheilm]

Great job! Those acme taps are big $. I can't beleive you cut that stock by hand...😅. Great episode cheers.

[@daveogarf]

ScoutCrafter, you are amazing! Your machine work is superb, and your inventiveness and creativity clearly demonstrate your love of the tools and keeping them in fully functioning condition. Thank you so much for letting us peek over your shoulder, so to speak, as you restore and rebuild these classic pieces of American industry.

[@rtisom]

These old vintage tools, Starrett vises for example, fill me with awe with their simplicity, elegance, and sturdiness. It’s a joy to see people like you putting so much effort and love into restoring them. Well done, man.

[@357magdad]

Outstanding restoration! I agree - this was one of my favorite ScoutCrafter projects! Looks like you got some extra acme rod - maybe for a C-clamp???

[@adampeterbutterworth6947]

Scoutcrafter, you truly are a master craftsman! This is why this is my favourite channel 👍

[@nvz357]

Well Scout you did it again… And I finally figured out the key to your success… Besides being a great machinist and a handy guy what really separates you from the pack is your patience… I myself and I'm sure many others would skip a few of the steps that you don't skip because we are in a hurry to see the finished product… therefore I believe that that is why mostly everything you do comes out beautiful… Thank you so much...I am learning something new with every video...🤓

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi Nick! This one was a real challenge and really satisfying to be able to get it back in service! Thanks Nick!

[@MrHowieZ1973]

You are a true master of your craft, Sir. Great work saving a family heirloom.

[@ikm64]

Far above the call of duty on this one...Brian got the best in the business...one lucky guy.

[@johnburgess6572]

THE most amazing work I have seen you do ! This was a complex challenge and you worked every angle...well done Scoutcrafter !

[@timothynewkirk2654]

Well Done as Always! "No comment" on your decision to use a hack-saw. ...Newk from Kentucky

[@ScoutCrafter]

My Dad was a Bull, he wouldn't think twice about a task like that chalking it up to his exercise for the day! =D

[@johnrazor8720]

Shout out to Kentucky!

[@brianrust5275]

Man I love watching this video lol. Must be my 4th time. Thank you again so much. I can’t express my gratitude

[@TRONMAGNUM2099]

Amazed at how well you made it look. A vice like that should last for many more decades.

[@alcopower5710]

That vise turned out great. Always love the special appearance by the Dake.

[@lewiemcneely9143]

Between you and Uncle Sneelock no broken tool is safe. Thanks CS! Happy rainy day!

[@mardeeda]

Absolutely breathtaking profile on that vice. Brilliant work. You are a mentor to so many of us.

[@sosrob8085]

Very nice video and restoration on my above all favorite tool. Love my vises! Great job SC....COME ON 15,000 SUBSCRIBERS!!!!

[@Stevegetslucky]

What a beautiful vice. A real treasure.

[@davidchadwick1626]

Very nicely done sir . That's the first time I've every seen a thread snap on a vice the casing brake in too loads of times .you live and learn as they say . Enjoyed John thanks 👍

[@ScoutCrafter]

The rod was frozen and Brian's brother used a pipe to try and free it but because of the rust and age, it snapped right before the nut! Me too- first time seeing that! =)

[@2dividedby3equals666]

Fantastic job! The vise is great but the story behind it is what makes it awesome!

[@uncleblack7322]

Excellent job...Brian one lucky guy...you've put a lot of work into this one...enjoyed every minute

[@OldSneelock]

Good job John. That was a big replacement. Not only was the thread damaged but you had to carve out a new nut. The side benefit is all the vises with bad screws will be lining up at the flea markets to have you fix them. That 6 feet of threaded rod will go pretty quickly. 😆😎

[@ScoutCrafter]

LOL Dave- You know how it is when you can get twice as much for only 1/4 more $... =D

[@uktony1525]

Scoutcrafter, you are a good man. The making of the dovetail part was pure genius. Your comment about all vice handles being bent reminded me of a visit to the Royal Navy ship HMS Defender where an almost new Record vice at £550 (approx $700) on the flight deck had a mangled handle as someone had put a large pipe on it. I could have cried.

[@ScoutCrafter]

LOL Tony! I have used cheater bars before on pipe-wrenches and for leverage but I could never bring myself to use one on a vise! That is just asking for trouble! =D Thanks!!!!!!

[@Anonymous-it5jw]

Great job. These projects require a longer video to do them justice - thanks for showing us what's involved and for having the skill and experience to do it. It's a good thing it was not a 1" acme thread - those larger rods are expensive!

[@ScoutCrafter]

I can't even imagine what a 1" Acme Tap would cost! LOL

[@Mcphilsmith]

Excellent job, John. Always nice to see tools that are uncommon restored, but more importantly tools that are sentimental out back into use.

[@beerdrinker6452]

Better than new. You are a good friend.

[@Brooklyn-bn5go]

That was beyond a doubt the most generous act a craftsman can do, to lend his God-given talent to another person. An excellent repair to a vice many others would have written off! Cheers to you JN.

[@ScoutCrafter]

In a million years I could never pay-back all the things others have done for me... I'm on a mission! =D

[@JourneymanRandy]

Brian you are very fortunate. Nice work Scoutcrafter. Well done my friend

[@Rizwanalam]

classic scoutcrafter restoration. Awesome Job.

[@literoadie3502]

Really great job! It must have took a while with many steps, but once it all comes together it's so rewarding! Especially when you're doing it for somebody else, it gives you extra motivation to do everything to the best of your ability before it goes out the door. I absolutely love Starrett vises! They are big with machinists because they all know the brand well for their precision instruments, so it's really cool to see them offer a heavy-duty tool meant to take a beating, and they're gorgeous! I recently bought a 'Parkinson's' brand Model J No.38 ''Samsonia'' vise off the local Facebook ads for £20. It was described as not working, and took 10 minutes to just re-engage the half-nut mechanism and get it working again! It's the usual British quick-slide kind of vise, originally designed by the Parkinson's company themselves. The jaws are a bit beat up, but since it's of the design where the jaws are bolted from the outside (like some of the big Wilton's) it's a simple matter to make replacement jaws, and tap them with whatever thread you like.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hello Aryan! I never saw a Starrett vise before! You are so right about re-tapping to a more common thread! Makes life so much easier! Thanks!!!!!!!!

[@stokeburner6730]

Excellent resto. Its always a pleasure to watch you work.

[@michaelpugh4894]

Beautiful corrections and a beautiful restoration.

[@leebrewer1190]

Fantastic new design you machined. Better than original for sure! I am In the process pf moving. This video makes me all the more wanting to be able to get back at the tools and refinishing! I have a couple old vices I want to restore and cannot wait to do so! Thanks again for a great vid John!

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi Lee! Moving is such a task!!!!!! =) I am dreading it! Thanks!!!

[@budddyrda]

Phenomenal job Scout! It turned out great! That delrin bushing was a cool idea.

[@ScoutCrafter]

I love Delrin! So easy to machine and it is super strong and chemical resistant! The only drawback is the price but I buy it in lots! =D Thanks!

[@johnrazor8720]

One of your best! A real gift before Father’s Day. Thanks for the hard work. Consider using all your footage as a repair series. I think that you could make a video on the Dake sequence alone. Yes I know, Razor always wants more Dake.

[@ScoutCrafter]

LOL! I agree! The Dake is just so much fun to use and makes quick work of reversing damage! =)

[@tonyholt90]

Brilliant! Great restoration I read Brians comment and really understand how he feels. Great skill you have. Nice to be able to make others happy.

[@frankg3072]

This was a very complicated restoration that only you could have done with making the parts etc. Great job 👍

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi Frank! This really was a challenge! I'm so happy how it turned out! Thanks so much!

[@lordvengerx]

Man Scout you are a true craftsman. Very knowledgeable you are on top of the game. This is one of your best yet outstanding and amazing. Have a great weekend scout. See you for Mish Mosh :D

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hello LV! This was a real challenge! So glad it was something I could do! =)

[@lordvengerx]

@@ScoutCrafter You did a very awesome job one of your best yet

[@Doco72]

That's a beautiful vise and a great restoration. What a wonderful memento of his Grandfather. Well done.

[@davidharris6581]

Great project! It would be fun to get an old Starrett catalog and see what it sold for new. Like you that is the first Starrett vice I ever saw. I have an old Colombian that is stuck I need to get back on. You inspired me!

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi David, Me too! I have a Parker that is frozen and waiting... =D

[@alanmullock381]

Good for another hundred years!👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍😁

[@lotsabirds]

That was a Fantastic Restoration! A lot of work but well worth it!! It looks and works beautifully!

[@helpinghandremodeling3755]

What a fantastic fix. Brian is a lucky guy. Scout to the rescue. Very well done as always.

[@joshl90]

Beautiful and terrific restoration and awesome improvements!!!

[@briantraxler2780]

What a beautiful piece of equipment! You can see the pride built right into it! Quality American!

[@williammcguire3rd]

Awesome job. Turned out great.

[@mrbenmall]

Lovely job. And I'm sure Brian is beside himself with glee. I really enjoyed seeing your solution for the slop. It's giving me the itch to restore another vise. Thanks for the video!! Congratulations, Brian!

[@pattognozzi]

Amazing work, truly inspirational. Great job.

[@norherman]

Oh man what a fix. very enjoyable . Thank you for sharing.

[@Dardrum]

Excellent job scout, and a beautiful vise too.

[@danielgrenier3288]

Nice one! Beautiful vise. I'm so happy to see it. Thanks so much!

[@marcmckenzie5110]

ScoutCrafter, you are so enormously generous - and that generosity of heart really motivates me. Every piece of this project was enjoyable, and like almost every one of your segments I learned several things. Forgive my cynical comment, but at 4:10 when you observe that everything Starrett made had unique pitches, sizes, etc... Well I can tell you, leaving out DOD reasons, the only reason a commercial company uses proprietary parts when the technology being used has already been established, is to lock in their parts and accessories at above market margins. Starrett has a neat company story, makes very nice products, but I avoid buying their products for this very reason and I feel (opinion) they charge unreasonably above market. Open standards and technology - be it ACME threads or computer operating systems - serve the common man. Nontheless, you overcame their barriers and yielded an exceptionally nice restore of a very beautiful vise!

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi Marc! There is no doubting Starrett has amazing products for over a hundred years, it is funny though that almost all their threads are non-standard. I guess if you are making everything in-house you can do what you want! =D Most of us get Starrett second hand and rarely buy new. They are along the line of Snap-On in the affordability market! =) Thanks Marc!

[@paulmidgley9183]

Another great video. Saved a nice piece of history. Thank you for all your work and videos.

[@geraldschrader8511]

Scout, your generosity is amazing! Loved this restoration.

[@wyattoneable]

I love a good vise. Especially one that has been taken care of with classic lines. You did a great job making the part. This vise will bring many more years of service thanks to you.

[@TheLoxxxton]

Scout you devil!! You make out with the simple every man restorations but you have serious credentials in machining. Hats off to you. Your either genius or mad!!!!

[@BradsWorkbench]

Awesome awesome job! Would like to see more involved restorations like this! Great outside the box thinking

[@hammer1212]

One of your best ever videos!

[@1970chevy07]

What a great restoration nice job scout crafter

[@elsdp-4560]

THANK YOU...for sharing. What a "BEAUTIFUL" repair, very nice my friend.

[@watchfast1]

What a project! I did not know Starrett made vises. You made it like new! Thank you for such wonderful videos!

[@ap45sontoolworks11]

Amazing restoration and fantastic video. Great work and content as usual. Thanks for doing what you do!!!

[@mtmchenry]

Great restoration. I have a soft spot for vises. Love seeing and old vise restored to working condition. Great job.

[@seamusgeoghegan9868]

Yup....sterling work. Really enjoyed this one. Boom!!!

[@petemoss9693]

Hey Scout . . . What a skillful / superb job you done on the vice -

[@Brian-Burke]

Nice work as always. I never knew there was such a thing as a force gauge. Pretty cool.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Brian if you get a chance check out my video "Force Gauge introduction" I think you will like it!!! Thanks!!

[@ianlangan6976]

beautifully restored. Another great tool saved...

[@DavidLopez-ho2mb]

Great Video, you are truly talented, I am simply amazed. Thank you for taking the time to show us.

[@GuntersGarage]

Really nice job repairing that neat old vise. Thats awesome you were able to find the screw rod and very clever adapting it to the old parts.

[@garyjones7198]

Very nice as usual S.C... Beautiful vice....God Bless

[@TheSuperwrenchGarage]

John absolutely tremendous work....an inspiration for all of us! Your dedication to quality work and Craftsmanship is evident in this project. I always learn something new from each video!

[@opcruiser5436]

Those were sone nice upgrades you performed. Great work.

[@TakeAmericaBack2010]

Love all the machining!

[@evilla410]

Great job ! Like always 👍👍👍👍👍

[@aldonco]

Man this is one of your best videos. I'm a pretty handy guy too but I would have had the patience you have great job as usual thank you

[@yrtuag]

Fantastic job as usual 👍😎 🤠

[@tonylenge424]

I think you can fix anything. That was impressive and I enjoyed watching. Thanks

[@alexstools]

What a great job and nice story! Learned a lot from the video but I think the biggest aspect we (or I) van learn from is your generosity!

[@bertalicea2397]

Well done, great video! 👍 👍

[@ededmund5685]

wow you should be proud ,, this is a wonderful job .. don't stop ,, thx Ed Lorretto Ontario Canada

[@jway5580]

That's quite an involved restoration. Showing the detailed process is great.

[@stuartlockwood9645]

Hi scout what a nice job you did on the vice,Brian will be so pleased. Your restoration skill is up there whith the best of them for sure. Thanks ,best wishe's. Stuart.

[@johncrable3349]

Hi Scout. .....thanks for taking this on - you saved it from the junk pile. I know Brian appreciates it. Great Grandpa is smiling! Have a happy day!

[@tfknauss]

Awesome video, beautiful vice indeed. Nice job, good for many more generations!

[@ScoutCrafter]

Thanks Todd!!!!!!!

[@stevewalker7822]

WOW! Way to adapt and overcome! Awesome!

[@tommyhanlon8012]

That's a nice restore, Good Job.

[@masonalvarez5058]

Awsome restoration!

[@saigaking]

What a great video scout I have never seen a starrett vice looks like a Nice solid vice great lines , that was fantastic thing you did for Brian Keeping a memory alive if these old tools could talk incredible . The vice turned out great I like it natural I’m sure it works better now Than it did with the amazing work you put in to it .

[@larryborkstrom3580]

That's amazing it came out great as it did as condition you got it in anything starrett is worth the work the few tools I have from them I wouldn't settle for anything else plus that was for someone else was very kind of you

[@E-Glide]

Ambitious project! And you did a real nice job. Hooyah, Scout :-)

[@sonercanbaz5911]

My favorite channel, number one!!!! Have a nice weekend....

[@ScoutCrafter]

Thanks so much!

[@eamontreanor1363]

Fantastic job mate.

[@negotiableaffections]

Not many Starrett vices around, you may have just become their patron saint - well done John.

[@tooladdict7463]

I’ve always wanted a Wilson Vise John and now you’ve just made me want a Starrett vise Beautiful job what a lovely thing to have from your granddad 😀

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi Ben! I was so impressed by the symmetrical look of this vise... It's a strong little vise too! =) Thanks Ben!

[@johnkelley9877]

Wow! That was a lot of work. Lots of great machining footage. The whole vise looks great and has to work better then the original. Great job ScoutCrafter. Thanks for sharing this great video.

[@stevef8993]

Wow!!! That was a great restoration ScoutCrafter!! Great job making the acme nut and making it all new and workable again! Another vise back in service. 👍

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi Steve! This was a challenge but a super rewarding project when it all works out in the end! =D Thanks!

[@vincentwesolowski459]

Great Job!!! Another interesting video

[@lwoodt1]

ScoutCrafter Machine Shop to the rescue. Great job John, as usual .

[@tomlee7966]

really nice job!! glad to see you do some machining

[@WorksbySolo]

Nice restoration! I like hearing your thoughts as you decided which way to go on the refurbishment.