Bench Vise Restoration-LITTLESTOWN No. 112

I received this old vise from my grandfather and in this video I attempt to restore it. First, I disassembled the vise into all it's pieces. Then, I cleaned and wire wheeled all the parts. Finally, I primed and painted the parts that needed painting. I put 2 coats of primer on and 3 light coats of paint. Thanks for watching!
This song is by Misael Gauna - Beautiful Day - Free Background Music No Copyright Music
The song can be found here: • Video
Misael Gauna
► Facebook - / misaelgaunam. .
► KZbin - / misaelgaunamusic
► SoundCloud - / misaelgaunamusic
► Twitter - / misaelgauna
► Audiojelly - www.audiojelly.com/releases/on...
► Junodownload - www.junodownload.com/artists/M...
► Amazon - goo.gl/nNIVZc
► iTunes - itunes.apple.com/gw/artist/mi...
► TrackItDown - www.trackitdown.net/artist/43...
►Beatport - www.beatport.com/artist/misael...
Again, thanks for watching!

[@dannyrose5576]

I'm absolutely love stuff like this. We live in such a throw away society. Nothing it's made like it used to be and everything is almost a consumable. So it's great to see things brought back to life!!

[@billonthehill9984]

Nice restore here... I have a #140 Littlestown Hdwe. & Fdry. that looks very similar to yours. Mine has no screw in jaw inserts, solid casting only. I believe it is from the 60's era as I came into it in the early 70's. Just this morning I finished up the install on a 10" woodworkers vise by the same co. I did a complete restoration on it beforehand. This vise comes from the 50's, possibly the late 40's. It has no model number on it. It was donated to me from a friend for my new workbench build. I was amazed at how good the condition was for it's age. I added 14" x 7/8" hardwood jaws to it from scraps I had on hand, squared them up, sanded them smooth. The inside is oak & the outside is birch. I used never-seize on the main screw & polished up the rails with a wet & dry 180 paper, smeared them with some 3 in 1 oil & mounted it to the bench. It is one awesome vise that will long out live me! I also have 6" carpenter's vise made by the same co. given to me in the mid 70's. It is model # 166. lastly, I have #5 machinist vise that weighs in at around 80 Lbs., a real beast but in excellent condition. I suspect it is China made, no markings on it whatsoever, picked it up for $5.00... Bill on the Hill... :~)

[@dangarrity7449]

I just got a number 140 from helping the lady clean out her father's garage here in New Hampshire, appears complete and in good condition I took a wire brush to it and plan on selling it at the flea market hopefully $50

[@DavidPlass]

I've watched probably 5 "vise restoration" videos this week and yours was the first where they actually PRIMED the raw metal before painting. Good job (although I didn't enjoy the music, but hey, to each his own.)

[@Michael-fk8gf]

Could of been JLo stripping and couldn’t stand the music or boring method

[@billonthehill9984]

Nice job here. Glad to see you taped off the top anvil & jaws. The white on the letters & numbers was a nice touch too. This little vise will still be around when you have grandchildren. Just today I had a 75+ year old 10" woodworkers vise given to me by a friend built by the same company as your vise. Made In USA in Littlestown, Pa. It weighs in at approx. 45 lbs. Bill on the Hill... :-)

[@danalaniz7314]

Really nice. I have a model 900 that I'm disassembling and your video is really helpful.

[@mmichelson90]

You shouldn't be wearing gloves when using a bench grinder up close like that! One slip and you could lose a finger.

[@jojo1308716]

also wondering why it's running the wrong way?

[@KriZpy_PlayZ]

I have my dad's vise this exact model getting ready to restore. So happy to find this video just so I could see there was nothing to tricky to watch out for. Thanks for posting made my day

[@G3af]

I just restored mine yesterday. Didnt do as well as this gentleman did tho.

[@CatNaps33]

I restored the big no.700 Littlestown vise, it weighs 78lbs. It's indestructible I love it. But I wish I could find the little brother version you have no.112. The search at the flea market goes on... I love that you took the time to restore this American beauty an share your video with us. Great job.

[@Evolucion7]

If you haven't found one yet, there's usually quite a few on eBay at any given time. I finally broke down and bought one today after several months of fruitless visits to the flea markets and antique shops.

[@STATFIGHTER10]

Yes that's the same vise my father had on his workbench that was around 1958 it was a low-budget vise that my father could afford raising 5 kids at that time I do believe he bought that vise from Sears. Hey very good job of restoring that vise....

[@uktony1525]

What a beauty, you should be proud of the restoration. A big thumbs up.

[@javierhurtado1700]

Great workshop, super clean.

[@OwassoYankeyGardenRailway]

I have that same vise. It was in our garage growing up. I got it five years ago, but I am trying to restore mine now. My dad put it to much use. It is a fond memory of him.

[@Queenie-the-genie]

Thank you for this. I have one of these and have been wondering how to restore it. It is going to be my jewelry bench vise. I don’t hav a large machine like yours but I have got a dremel which I can use with a medium sized steel brush.

[@sms9106]

Nice, I just did the same thing with a 112 that I got from my Dad's estate.Only I used Urethane over self etch primer. Love quality old stuff.

[@dancash7731]

American made! I love it.

[@robertherrera419]

I need to do this with my dad's old bench vice. Good video.

[@lourias]

I love your bench grinder! I have 2 functional motors which would be great to power grinders. Your set up was the idea I needed to put those motors back to work!

[@alabamatropicals506]

Great video! The littlestown vises are some of the best!

[@foxdevilswild4641]

you got the "nice Vice" dude! amazing Work ! i Love Old tools

[@apollosgarage3123]

I used to live in littlestown pa right across from the plant that possibly pushed this vise out on they were a branch of littco I believe

[@wcollins4191]

I am making a bench vice my first restoration project I enjoyed you sharing tips on how to restore.

[@JeffersonHumber]

Beautifully done, Sir

[@colmoprey]

Very nice restoration vid that colour you chose was a nice touch.

[@obieoberstar]

Great restoration video. I have the same vice. Nice touch with the white paint on the letters. No restoration planned for mine, just would like to replace the worn jaws.

[@garageworker]

Nice work man, you should be proud of it.

[@NikosDIY]

Great restoration and superb editing!

[@sicstringerman]

Awesome restoration. Nice vid!

[@OldSneelock]

Great work on the paint. Highlighting the letters is a masterful touch.

[@bobbystanley8580]

Beautiful job and great job videoing!

[@markharrisllb]

A very nice little vice, though when I say 'little' it’s big enough for most people's needs.

[@ironcagedragon]

It didn't need any restoration. It was beautiful with its patina of time. I have one as well. it is beautiful and doesn't need to ground down and sandblasted.

[@mrreggaeambassador2609]

Fantastic job mate 👍🏼

[@davewilliams355]

Love it, well done.

Very nice restoration!

[@micah7492]

such a great video lol nice editing

[@markharrisllb]

It's a beautiful little vice, size does matter and often smaller is better. It looked great finished and I like you left some history there, well done. People have mentioned your grinder running the wrong way, and it’s not running the usual way, but no one has mentioned it looks like you built it yourself and it’s an easy fix. Well done again with the build. I would fix it though because if it grabs you you’ll go over the wheel instead of into the table thus causing more damage to you. It was a great video to watch...with the volume off, but that’s ok because I can do that on my iPad. I still say it’s up to the creator what sounds they have on their video, though personally I’ve grown to enjoy the sound of the tools. I used to think that was sad, but we all change and grow. That’s all very subjective though. Not a bad video by any means and personally I think some of the more critical comments are very harsh. Some sound like the commenter wanted to massage their own ego.

[@Dreamster399]

Nice job, man! Terrific video, too.

[@1997michigan1997M]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it

[@justinworksout64]

Dude! That looks amazing! Great job on the restore...I have the exact same vice...mine looks rough though

[@TangoCharlieAlpha]

I just acquired the same vise. I'm thinking a restoration is in order. I like hammered enamel paint on these old pieces of kit.

[@hunterschade3610]

Where did you get the replacement jaw inserts? I have the same vice I am also restoring and Im not sure where to get new inserts.

[@tomasdejesusriosramirez223]

Genial que hermosura de restaurcion y que recuperación de esa herramienta.Quisiera tener una de esas.felicitaciones.Desde Armenia Quindío Colombia

[@user-dx6pt9oo6h]

Very good restoration job 👍👍👍👍

[@bobsrustandsawdust8086]

I have the same vise, use it often, but it is nowhere near as good of shape as yours was to start with, but hope to redo mine this year too. Overall a well done project, keep them coming.

[@facesmasher4216]

delicate piece of history

[@stephensgate1]

Would you mind telling me what Color Green you used? The exact name of that green?? I'm going to follow your lead and restore mine and I really want to use that exact color. Thank you, and it looks great!!

[@kawasakiwhiptwo5821]

Very nice job.

[@stevegem4155]

you're using your crescent wrench backwards the load should be on the fixed side of the wrench

[@TangoCharlieAlpha]

That's a wives tail, at least according to AvE.

[@markharrisllb]

Mydejavooo He mentions the video where it’s proven, but I can’t remember whose channel it’s on.

[@davesimpson2814]

nice touch with painting the lettering white

[@1997michigan1997M]

Thanks!

[@flhusa1]

JUST GOT MY FIRST LITTLESTOWN AND IT IS A NUMBER 112. ONLY PAID 1 DOLLAR FOR IT AT THE FLEA MARKET. WAS FROZE UP FROM LIGHT RUST AND I FREED THE ACME THREAD ADJUSTMENT BOLT AND THE SWIVEL LOCK. LOOKS LIKE IT WAS HARDLY USED. MY OTHER VISE'S ARE PRENTISS BULLDOGS. GOT FOUR OF THEM.

[@schablone35]

what is that foamy spray you are using in the beginning?

[@JohnSmith-ki2eq]

Nice job, but no grease on the threads!??

[@garageworker]

I don't grease open thread vices because all the dust and grime will stick to the grease. Maybe a dry lube?

[@allen2905]

nice resto but why paint parts that rub? friction? loved the green also.

[@riverhue50]

Very Good! : )

[@stephensgate1]

Can you tell me about your grinder? Did you build it yourself? Love to have one like that someday. I like how it's all mounted on its own block of wood. Give me some info on how to obtain one just like it. 👍🏻 -Stephen, Ohio

[@williammason2885]

I also have the 112 littlestown. Where can you get replacement jaws?

[@williammason2885]

Also what color green paint did you use?

[@bong9130]

Garrido...On My Own??? Doing something similar with my Littlestown No.400 vise. Nicely done bro!

[@1997michigan1997M]

+Vincent Orfano Thanks for the comment! Actually the song was A Beautiful Day by Misael Gauna. I got it off the KZbin channel No Copy Right Sounds, check them out. Good luck on your restoration, Vincent.

[@1997michigan1997M]

+Vincent Orfano I added the link to the song in the description. Also, if you have time, check out my video showing how to make a removable mount for this bench vise. Thanks.

[@samaker4]

Fantastic restoration. SUB+1 Great video.

[@MakingSA]

Great video.

[@travelingsa4780]

Great video.

[@sathoughts9215]

Great video.

[@hvsweb]

Great video.

[@sudarshanbhat7636]

Very nicely done. I was wondering if you could make a video on the grinding wheel. It would be of great help

[@1997michigan1997M]

+Sudarshan Bhat Thanks for the comment! I just restored that bench grinder and I wish I took more videos of the restoration. I will still try make a video soon that shows an overview of the grinder. Thanks for your interest, Sudarshan.

[@martyjackson4806]

Your bench grinder is running backwards! It should turn the opposite way. Vice looks nice.

[@ferguson20diesel49]

It's better that way. So the item doesn't catch a grip and be thrown out you. When it's spinning away from you that won't happen and it's far easier to use

[@martyjackson4806]

Watch out it will throw stuff in your eyes! That really hurts. Always wear safety glasses with any grinder. Good luck.

[@Donnybrook10]

nice job

[@1997michigan1997M]

+Donnybrook10 Thanks

[@elmarqo_3448]

beautiful job. I thought you'd put new jaws on it

[@AnthonyCurreri]

I'm a little late to the party but I just pulled out the same vise from the crate of old tools under my workbench. Maybe it's time to restore it and actually mount & use it. Thanks for the push! LOL

[@SaLlBuLl85]

is it possible to powder coat a vice or would that make the steel to soft?

[@madden4306]

Yes it can be powder coated,. No it will not take the temper out as the temperature to powder coat is only 350 to 400 degrees.

[@tbirum]

More of a "Beautification" then a "Restoration" The Vice seemed to be in perfect working condition, it just wasn't pretty to look at, still gave a thumbs up for making it look pretty but not so much of a Restoration and more just making it look pretty.

[@robhoug3724]

I have the #900 jaws are a bit rough on mine

[@jerrynorris8858]

Have you ever tried cleaning your metal parts by soaking them in vinegar? I've cleaned many rusty and dirty hand tools this way and it works great!

[@turboslag]

I've tried that and it never works for me!

[@billyb4223]

effective but lengthy. Had some parts in there for 2 months, cleaned up beautifully.

[@youngwoodsman4110]

They just don't make vices like they use to... my grandfather has a vice just like this one and it's fantastic

[@durden7]

The video is great, thank you. That handle appears to not be part of the original unit. It appears to actually be better, and now I am looking for one for my vise. Any ideas where you can find a handle like that? One end threaded with a cap?

[@1997michigan1997M]

+durden7 Thanks for the nice comment. I actually made this new handle on a lathe where I work because the original handle was missing. Each side is threaded and the caps screw onto them. I used some locktite to make sure they won't twist off. I did find a few places where you could buy replacement handles, but they are fairly expensive. www.benchvisejaws.com/new-handles/

[@davidd8736]

+Seth Vostad - Ok. durden7 again, under a diff account. So, you turned a steel shaft to size using a metal lathe and then used a tool+Die set to thread the ends- is this the basic process? I have a lathe- but a wood lathe. Now I'm wondering what it would take for me to fashion something like this. Thank you for the fast reply. Seriously good video. I am refurbing a few vises now and this is invaluable!

[@1997michigan1997M]

+David D I actually cut and tapped all the threads on the lathe (it was just for practice and using a tap and die set would probably be easier :) I bet you could just buy a steel shaft and maybe chuck it up in a drill (drill press or just a cordless drill) and use some sand paper to polish it. Maybe even a file to turn down the shaft for the die?? The hard part will probably be the caps...You might be able to buy a little larger shaft and drill and tap the threads and then cut the caps to size. Then you could screw one cap on the shaft and mount it back in the drill. Then use a course file to round over the edges. It might take some time, but it could be done haha. I hope you figure something out and good luck on your restoration. Oh and thanks again for the nice comment!

[@JonDingle]

Would have been a great video apart from awful music! And putting some guards on your grinder would be a very good idea and set it to spin in the right direction too.

[@KakilacLip]

Hi, you did an awesome job on your restoration:) It looks great. I just bought the same model vise on eBay and I was wondering if you or anyone else knows how the original handle is disassembled. Is it threaded like the one on yours or no? Thank you.

[@1997michigan1997M]

+KakilacLip Thanks for the nice comment. My vise did not come with a handle when I received it so I made a new one. I believe the original handles are "peened" on, which means you probably won't be able to remove it. You can still disassemble the vice but the handle will stay connected to the screw. You should be able to restore everything, it might just be a little extra work.

[@KakilacLip]

+Seth Vostad Okay thank you. I hope that I can get mine looking as nice as yours.

[@1997michigan1997M]

+KakilacLip I bet your restoration will turn out great! I'm going to have some more restoration videos coming up soon, so you could subscribe if you want to see them.

[@levondecarlo]

Hopefully I'm not too late but what brand and color did you use? You did a bang up job my friend!!

[@1997michigan1997M]

Rustoleum high performance enamel: Hunter Green 7538

[@made_by_chris]

That grinder is a hospital trip waiting to happen. There is a reason they are designed with guards and spin towards the operator.

[@hightower1455]

Especially with the gloves on.

[@deaniweenie]

He can only hope and pray the gloves jam up the wheel (they won't) and he has the strength to hold it (he won't). He's going to have a very very nasty accident - it's only a matter of time - not if but when! The best he can hope for is a terrible hand injury but I think, with him wearing gloves and the wheel spinning in that direction he's going to have a terrible hand (or hands) injury followed by a spillage of intestines when the wheel drags him into the machine. Dude, wearing gloves whilst using this machine is idiotic! Still, I guess if we all point this out he may get himself educated and perhaps it will educate others

[@deaniweenie]

Ok dude, don't listen to fact and common sense. Let me say this, if you were in an industrial situation and you wore gloves using this machine you would be thrown out of the shop. It is a universally acknowledged rule. Trust me/us on this, for us in the know, watching this is really quite terrifying. I'm sure if you searched the web you could find examples of injuries caused when wearing gloves on this sort of machine. But hey, you carry on, it's not us out here who are going to get mangled

[@deaniweenie]

Sorry, didn't mean to come across like that. You need to hold your workpiece in a manner that, should the machine grab it, you can easily let go. On rotary machines you should not wear gloves or jewellery and have your sleeves rolled up and out of the way. Long hair should be tied back too. Never get complacent, always operate machines like this expecting them to grab. By all means hold the work in a vice or vice grips but then hold/handle the vice grips in such a way as to be able to let go should you need to. Honestly, I'm not being over cautious here, the injuries you could sustain by that wheel grabbing the gloves just don't bear thinking about. If you were to hold this with your bare hands you're more likely to just sustain a bit of skin loss because the wheel would catch and remove the skin and you would immediately pull away. But if the wheel caught the glove it will not tear away. The material will get caught up in the spinning wheel dragging your hand round with it and cascading into who knows what. That all depends on the power of the machine together with your physical strength and reaction time and it will all happen in the blink-of-an-eye. I know it's counter-intuitive, you want to wear gloves to protect your skin from the wheel, but if this still feels wrong or crazy to you, you should just accept that this is good advice coming from experience. Sometimes, just for self preservation some things just have to be accepted on trust. Keep on doing this great work dude, but proceed with care and safety.

[@robg836]

You can touch your hand to a wire wheel without gloves and it doesn't do anything, Its not going to cut you open. But if you're wearing gloves, it will bite into the glove and pull it in whatever direction the wheel is spinning and obviously you can figure out the rest.

[@gentlemensedge5503]

What drives me nuts is when someone puts out a video that people react to and they don't answer or comment. See my videos for example. Over all, nice job, you paid great attention to detail, as shown in you application of the gloss white and I liked to hear the children in the music..

[@metallitech]

This is great; I don't understand the number of downvotes.

[@garyjones7198]

Very nice job, but you should have greased it ... Be careful using gloves on that wire wheel...

[@beboploo]

nice job sound dune me head in just lowered the vol

[@mrbreezeet1]

NICE!! Would it have peen possible to flip the jaws over top to bottom, To expose a brand new appearance to the Jaws? l did that ce to a vise, but I had to grind the jaws down a bit on a belt sander.

[@Oliver-ug6ks]

Me and my grandpas patent pending way of restoring anything metal; wire brush THE SHIT out of everything!

[@jiimmyboy63]

nice video. not too into the techno music though.

[@garyjones7198]

I agree with you there Dru... Had to turn the volume off...

[@brystonfranke1691]

I have this same vise

[@kww1966]

Good Job and I did like the music and the style of the video and like David said... primer!

[@ynns1]

I can't believe you painted over the sliding surfaces!!! You should have just greased them.

[@leeschanck3210]

What's with the music?

[@19Edurne]

Didn't you forget to grease the screws and sliding points before putting it back together? Just sayin'... but if you intend to actually use it...

[@charliewood4158]

Nice job I am in the middle of doing the same thing to the same vise Mine will be black and yellow Pittsburgh fan lol I am looking for new jaws for the 112 hard to find. Like the grinder to

[@1997michigan1997M]

Thanks for the nice comment! I hope you can find some jaws

[@Jimp474]

Charlie Wo

[@danielkarolewski5321]

gpod job

[@dbeaumontresident847]

Oh my head, this kid is running his grinder in reverse,,,,,terrifying. Slow vid.

[@stepcorngrumbleteats7683]

FOCUS...you F#ck 5:11 ....LOL

[@tron3entertainment]

Don't remember if I ever commented on one of your videos. I have commented to some other restorers that if you CAREFULLY grind down the lettering a little you will have a flat surface to paint on really sharp letters. Great job, otherwise.

[@mlaugh3]

All was good but I had to turn down the volume. The music is terrible .

[@rui2duarte]

Don't get me wrong i love to see old tools come back to life, but you just made this one worse, the black layer you removed on the fuse was called black oxide and was there to prevent oxidation. .

[@metallitech]

What the hell is the fuse?

[@frenchy6143]

Good video. But the music is horrible

[@chilliewilly41]

If that grinder and wire wheel doesn't kill you the stupid royalty free music will!

[@SekHakuna]

I would rather hear talking than the crazy music.

[@thunderstruck1078]

Music is terrible. Closing the tab quickly.

[@rpassy123]

I loved your work and hated the music

[@Hangernade]

Video would have been 100 times better without all the video flashes. Just show us what you got, no need to church it up like a music video.

[@tal3nt]

Weird ass music. Nice restoration though. Grease that baby up.

[@enterBJ40]

Already muted the video. Trashy euro club music don't match with a restoration of a so beautiful vise. Otherwise a good job...