Littlestown No.25 Vise Restoration

My buddy Joe found this vise in the garbage!

[@leebrewer1190]

Just WOW, John! 😮 You answered you own question of why put 100.00 worth of work into a cheap tool. Enjoyment cannot have a price tag put on it. The enjoyment not only you had in actually being able to figure out and fix the individual problems, but the enjoyment all of us get by watching this AMAZING restoration (forget that - its BETTER than restored by far now) job is absolutely priceless. I never think about the time effort b/c its not important to me. As to the brass insert and knob - this is the touch of a master craftsman who loves what he does! But we all knew this anyway 😊 Again - just WOW! 👍🏻👏

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi Lee! Like restoring a Pinto! LOL =D

[@snowpro90]

Thank god for people like Scout Crafter. Always cheerful and a pleasure to see the transformation of some amazing vintage tools. Thanks for being one of the coolest You Tubers!

[@davidhelmuth5707]

I don’t always comment on your videos. I do watch them all. I just want to say thank you for all the information that you are imparting to “us”. Not only are them informative but also entertaining. Enjoy them all. Hope that generations to come can learn and be entertained by you. Great job on the vise by the way.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Thanks David! I really appreciate that!

[@OldSneelock]

Google is watching. I'm running a video to make sure it loaded correctly and at the end of my video up pops who? Scoutcrafter's rebuild of a Littlestown No. 25 vise. Hi John. It is a beauty. Mine won't look this good. Great job patching the hole. The big tool guys like Bliss and Niagra filled the inevitable voids with the handymans favorite, Nope not duct tape, Bondo. I have many a story of drilling into the frame only to get pink plastic dust instead of steel or iron. Transfer punches are the die makers friend. Wouldn't want to live without them in the shop. 😁😎

[@mikefarrar2750]

Happy Thanksgiving, John. My name is Mike Farrar, and I have been a fan of the show since you had started posting your content on KZbin. I've watched this restoration video when it first aired a few years back. I have now watched it for a second time, simply because you did such a fantastic job with this piece! I look forward to your videos. You have inspired me to be a tool collector back when your channel had just started out, I became a subscribor. l am 48 years old now from a NW suburb of Illinois, and i still look forward to your videos, especially if I've had a bad day. Please keep your videos coming. You never truly know the impact your work can have on a person, especially on someone you have never met before, like me. Take care, kind sir. My family and I wish you and yours all the best during this holiday season and in the new year to come. God bless! Sincerely, Mike F.

[@briandunn1468]

I watched this video at least 5 times before refinishing my own littlestown vise. Thank you so much for your videos. I’d like to send you before and after photos as I know they’re your favorite part.

[@13thworker45]

Another crap to ice cream project. Very pretty. Looks better then when it was new. Look at the pride in workmanship you put into this one. Thank You

[@philparker1666]

Learnt so much tonight, 30 + years I. Engineering and never seen lleft hand drills or the special punches, great work as always Scoutcrafter 👍🇺🇸🇬🇧

[@javiercastaneda7753]

Great looking vice and as always another great restoration. Thank you for all you do!!! I especially appreciate how you go out of your way to help others.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Thanks so much!

[@MadDog6945]

Woah. Beautiful work of art. That's probably the nicest Littlestown vise that ever existed.

[@twhite19782012]

I am so impressed with your skill and craftsmanship! This vice looks beautiful! Wonderful job my friend.

[@aceroadholder2185]

A little late, but I got a Littlestown #25 vice at a yard sale about the time you made this video. I finally pulled it off the shelf to see what was under the three coats of paint. You are right.. if you want quality this ain't it! But I like a challenge so I tore into it. I thought it had a sheared off screw on one of the vice jaws.. wrong! It was a broken tap. Amazingly I was able to grind it out with a Dremel an a lot of patience and save the thread. I put the main body of the vice in the lathe using the base threaded hole and turned the base flat.. it was "as cast" like Scoutcrafters. I then turned the swivel base flat, top and bottom. The anvil section was pretty beat up so I milled that mostly flat. Like Scoutcrafter I made a bushing for the screw. I made a top hat bushing from brass with the thickness made so the retaining cross-pin will just fit. The seating area for the flange of the bushing was about 1/3 missing because of the poor casting so I milled that to get it flat. The bar is a poor fit in the main body of the vice. Luckily it isn't twisted like Scoutcrafters was. Some shims should tighten it up. This evening I started roughing out new jaws for the vice and in a day or two I'll be ready for a full assembly fit-up an check. Then some primer and paint will give me one very expensive cheap vice. I do have to say though that the vice has had a lot of use and it was actually still usable as is. Cheers from NC/USA

[@stuartlockwood9645]

Hi scout, not many people would have bothered whith that old vice, but you sure pulled all the stops out on this one,I think you have the patience of a saint ,I'm sure the pleasure these resurrections must give is beyond price, well done. Hope you are keeping well, best wishe's, Stuart.

[@Brooklyn-bn5go]

You never cease to amaze us. great work and a video loaded with tips and info.

[@steventrosiek2623]

Unbelievable job of restoration!! It's a museum showpiece. I have never seen a vise so beautiful!! Wow.

[@johnkelley9877]

Wow! Talk about making a silk purse out of a sow's ear. Between the abuse and sub standard casting it would take a small machine shop to fix it but I have to say this is an outstanding example of your talent. It is absolutely gorgeous. The polished metal, red paint and white accents really do this poor old vise justice and I doubt it ever looked like this when it was new. I learned a lot from this tutorial and I really enjoyed watching it. Thanks for sharing this.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Thanks so much John!

[@MadDog6945]

I've seen this video 3 times. The skill you have is inspirational to me. Because of you, I love vises too. Vises are my vice.

[@lotsabirds]

I always walk away smiling!!! The ingenuity and skill you posess just blows me away!! I gotta admit....I was thinking you might have gold plated the thing but that paint job looks incredible!! There were so many great fixit ideas in this one video alone!! Thank You, John, for taking that piece o' junk and turning it into a jewel!

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi Bill- I was running a little long so I couldn't show some other cool details like the custom bolts I made to hold the vise to the base... =D Thanks!

[@robertfakler8564]

Vices are my favorite restoration to watch. Beautiful job.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Me too!!!!

[@jettferox5660]

I love restorations like these. No handgun trigger jobs just plain meat and potatoes. I enjoyed the handle job and the 1/2" repair job. The two tone paint job surprised me. I have the same vise and did it in bright navy blue with the white lettering. I like your colors much better. I am with you on the vise quality. These were made for hunters who occassionally did homeowner repairs. Competed with homeowner Craftsman and Wards at that time.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi Jett! With a little work they can be a useful vise and they are very attractive! However like you said from the factory they were oh so sloppy! =D Thanks!!!!!

[@davidolson9909]

Absolutely outstanding. There is nothing more that can be said.

[@mefford509]

Wow 😲 Amazing job... I was right at “throw it out” but everyone needs a beater vise... I think MagDad357 would say that you are deep in “ lipstick on a pig” territory! Well polished turd 💩 very well done 👍

[@junglejammer1]

Thanks for the tip on those left-handed bits. I just got mine from ebay. Cheaper than Amazon, same manufacturer and free shipping. Who wouldn't love that? I had some at my job before I retired and wanted some for home but, forgot about them until I saw your video. Don't need them every day but, when you need them, you need them and you can't find them in local stores.

[@zacharybradley7260]

Always love the vise restorations. This thing is sharp!

[@lewiemcneely9143]

I can relate to 'Famous Last Words'. I know how it can get. I call it 'Getting A Wild Hair' and it usually ends up being VERY wild indeed. And it can be about something insignificant and ratty. Makes no difference. And if you have to have a vise (vice) this one is one to be PROUD of! Thanks, CS!

[@christopherlusk9385]

You never cease to amaze me. You pass along some excellent tips. Thanks.

[@stevef8993]

Factory installed defect?!? That's insane! Great job milling the hole in the jaws, making the inserts and handle. Beautiful vise all around!! Great color too!!

[@rico1319]

Another nice restoration. I loved the press! 👍👍👍😎🇨🇱

[@jway5580]

One man's trash is now your treasure. Great restoration!

[@daveogarf]

Unbelievable! Factory deformation of a tool to fix a defect! [Shakes head] BUT! Absolutely incredible restoration! GREAT work

[@waynemiracle8928]

WOW! Amazing job! You knocked it out of the park with this one! You are a true craftsman with many tricks up your sleeve!

[@davidchristensen6908]

what i find amazing is you took more pride in repairing and fixing this vice than the manufacturer did. you have more pride in your tools then the manufacturer. it is amazing how with a little thought and care you can turn this...... Turd? into a vice most people would be happy to have on their bench as just an extra hand. are there better one yes. this will now work for most everything. just wonderful, i hope it finds a nice home if you don't keep it.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi David! I certainly don't blame Littlestown because they have to produce a tool that can turn a profit. How many hours can you pay a worker to build a vise and still make money? These vises sold for very little money and did the job.. However as tool lovers we tend to appreciate the quality vises! =) Thanks!

[@highwaynhedgeseliyah362]

Wow! I love that vice, it's like a work of art! I hope I can get to this level of craftsmanship!

[@tanathos0414]

Enjoying this restoration after a day's work with a cold one. Very nice restoration. Savored the long episode. The weekend started on a high note.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Have a great weekend!!!!!

[@tanathos0414]

@@ScoutCrafter thank you! Same to you.

[@tonycrews2758]

That vice is absolutely amazing, love your work

[@saberx08]

My goodness! That has got to be the best looking Littleston vise on the planet now. I just found your channel, and after three videos, I'm hooked!

[@ScoutCrafter]

Thanks so much!!!!!!

[@frankg3072]

That was a very big undertaking, but the Master made it look easy, and you are the Master. Great restoration! 👍👍

[@Rick_Schott]

Anyone: “Can’t polish a turd” ScoutCrafter: “Hold my beer”. Looks fantastic. Great work!

[@ScoutCrafter]

LMAO!

[@BestUserNameUK]

"You can't polish a turd, but you can roll it in glitter"! 😀. That's a good British expression that I frequently use👍🏼

[@stevef8993]

Actually you can!! Mythbusters did an episode on that and the turd that polished up the best was lion dung, Lol! Who knew?!?

[@Rick_Schott]

ScoutCrafter, don’t get any ideas 😂

[@TheLoxxxton]

I agree. A really nice looking vice. Great job on restoring something that could easily have gone in the trash. 👍

[@chrisseats]

I don't think I've ever had a broke screw come out so easy! :-) Great restoration!

[@ScoutCrafter]

LOL I am so glad I decided to film that!!!! Nobody would believe it! =D

[@michelecrown2426]

I guess you can make a silk purse out of a sows ear :) Great job on turning that boat anchor into a presentable vise.

[@colinfblair]

Wow, I wish I could get my restorations to look as good as yours, fantastic job.

[@wyattsdad8561]

That is a cool little vise. I really like the anvil that it has. I just restored my first vise last week. I did a Wilton Cadet vise that a customer gave me. It was her brothers who’d passed away back in the early 90’s at age 49. She said he was a real craftsman and could fix anything and did beautiful work. I had her give me a picture of him so I could remember who the Vice belonged to. It was my way of honoring and remember him. The Wilton turned out amazing. It’s so smooth and precise. It’s not like a modern vise that I’ve ever used. It’s a work of art. Thank you again for sharing your work. Do you have more restoration vids??

[@upsidedowndog1256]

You do some of the coolest stuff seen on KZbin. This was great. Sharing the learning process is golden and rarely done. You are a great man for doing that.

[@santanusinha7086]

From the garbage! Cudnt believe coz it seemed pretty decent. Later u revealed the reason it ended up in garbage. Very few people hv ur talent of turning trash to treasure. The left handed drills were a new knowledge for me. Dats why I love ur vids.

[@g-palloyd3600]

Worker goes to supervisor, "hey, look, boss, the jaws don't align when closed!" Boss puts down the sandwich he's having for lunch, reaches over and gets large hammer and beats the snot out of the slide and she's fixed! Super continues his lunch and worker goes back to work, shaking his head and now understanding why boss gets the big bucks! LOL LOL LOL! Classic my friend!

[@ScoutCrafter]

LOL Lloyd, on the Littlestown foundry website they have a history section, there is a video there of them making this vise! You can see in one part the guy "aligning the vise" using a big hammer! =D

[@g-palloyd3600]

Lol indeed! You know, John, all kidding aside, it really does show why we enjoy tools so much! It gives us a break from every day stuff (A.K.A. crap) So many view it as cold, hard steel, but to me, (old) tools are pieces of art, to be handled with respect. Thanks for letting us join you.

[@markrandall1456]

Great job as always. Love red and this turned out beautiful. You could never junk a tool. It's not in your blood. Never leave a tool behind! :-)

[@SamM-qk9xo]

This was a joy to watch. Nice work man. I wish you did show the orocess if you painting it as well if u did that work as well. Thank you for sharing.

[@troon5488]

I literally laughed out loud at the final reveal, even though I had seen the whole process. Oh my goodness!

[@NashRathbone]

What a fantastic transformation, brilliant 👍👍👍

[@choppermike3329]

Wow! Nice job!Love that red. Couldn't believe that deformity they put on that bar to make the jaws line up. Crazy.Good job fixing and improving a "pig" of a vice.

[@ScoutCrafter]

LOL Mike- Littlestown foundry is still around, they have a website and if you go to their "history" section you can see this vise being made! Plus you can see the worker "adjusting the slide"! Awesome!!!!

[@danielgrenier3288]

Wow, what a lovely little vice! Seriously, that came out amazing! Thanks for sharing your process. I really enjoyed this one!

[@danielcobbins9050]

The combination candy apple red and polished steel really makes that vise POP!

[@starflash08]

That was the best handle design, love the allow end caps

[@matsandresson4758]

Manufactuer deformation: obviously trained in the school of 1970s British car makers.Great restoration.

[@ScoutCrafter]

LOL!

[@skinnyweather]

I always love seeing great grandpa's vise in your videos!

[@ScoutCrafter]

My most cherished tool!! =) Thanks so much!

[@beerdrinker6452]

Always outstanding and interesting content. Thank you.

[@357magdad]

The candy paint job looks amazing! That was a treasure trove of tips and tricks you put into one project!

[@ScoutCrafter]

I had to cut short the video! Didn't get to show the custom made bolts to hold down the vise! =D

[@masonalvarez5058]

My grandfather has a little littletown vice. I've always loved it. He spray painted it red and he just uses it as a beater vice. He's had it for years and it's never given up on him lol. There's a small crack at the end of the vice on the "tail" lol but I've always loved that vice. I hope I get it in the future!

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi Mason! They are quite possibly the most common vise every made here in the North East! They are everywhere! LOL

[@SeanKroner]

Your restorations are very good always. This one really turned out well! Great job!

[@geraldschrader8511]

The world's best $10 vise? LOL - great restoration Scout! Just goes to show, you can learn something and show off your innovative techniques even on a cheap tool.

[@InformationIsTheEdge]

How funny! You're the one with the smarts and talent but you give the credit to the left handed drills. Thanks for the great presentation!

[@leebrewer1190]

Another proof of a master at work.

[@cuddytom]

Thanks for the lesson on the anomalous left hand drill set. Still learning.

[@ScoutCrafter]

The funny thing is those drills are something you buy and hope you will never need! LOL Thanks!!!

[@jkeips78]

Killer restoration. A pleasure to watch.

[@kitmaira]

I have two those, in two different sizes. I think I’ll clean them up for fun. Might make a couple nice presents for my less than serious tool using relatives. Make a nice little hobby vise.

[@carlmcgee1623]

JUST SICK !!!! The kind of vise I would like to look like. GREAT WORK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@garyjones2582]

Very nice work S.C... Came out fantastic..

[@joeheilm]

I can't beleive they smashed the guide shaft to make up for the bad casting 🤣🤣🤣🤣. That looks like a million bucks! Oustanding, as always. Cheers

[@ScoutCrafter]

Joe, I was running long so I had to cut the history part of the Littlestown Foundry, however on their website they have a video of them making this vise and you can actually see the guy smashing the slide to align the vise! =) Awesome!

[@GregAlanEdwardsEmmanuelRidge]

Another beauty! I half expected you to put those jaws on your machine and remachine them to perfect!!...lol Great job Sir!

[@ScoutCrafter]

I like to save the jaws but these were beat up pretty bad! =)

[@darrinlawton2748]

That people is how to turn a sows ear into a silk purse.....exceptional work John.

[@andreaechevarria6725]

Hi Scout, a lot of people would say that little Charlie Brown vise isn't worth the effort. But it's projects like this that keep your skills sharp! Love that candy paint.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi Andrea- You are so right... The before/after satisfaction is higher sometimes on projects like this! Thanks!

[@almacli8360]

Wow 😮that came out Excellent 💯‼️

[@bisonuberti]

SC... This video turned out to be one of my favorites. Excellent work. Happy fourth of July. Semper Fi.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Semper Fi!

[@garyjones7198]

S.C. a very nice restoration as always.. I love your longer videos and when you really show your stuff and restore things that are a little more on the difficult side... God Bless and take care...

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi Gary! This one went so long I had to cut out the history of the Littlestown Foundry! There is a video on their website of these vises being made!! Thanks!!!

[@garyjones7198]

@@ScoutCrafter thanks for teaching us your skills.. keep an eye out for me an old Bicycle wrench...lol..

[@thomasryan8218]

That is unbelievable, great job. I just watched the video of the guy making the star clamp, that was pretty cool.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi Thomas! It really was! I will feature him on Monday!!!!!! =)

[@1978garfield]

Better than new! So many great hacks here to make a cheap vice feel like an expensive vice. I wish you could pick those up for $10 in my area.

[@yrtuag]

Fantastic job, well done 👍😎 🤠 Enjoyed the show ! Saving the world, one tool at a time 😎🇺🇸

[@johnnydutcher208]

Wow really like the color combination. Beautifully done.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Glad you like it!

[@mikequayle4000]

Hey, this is my first comment, really enjoy your posts! Just a quick comment, with this vise, and maybe with others that you refresh, with the handle, perhaps putting on a couple of "O" rings at each end would help. They would keep the handle for "clanking" when spinning the handles around, just a thought. Thanks for your restorations! Keep going!

[@davidchadwick1626]

Lovely job John . I'm so glad you didn't go down the butcher way and fill that hole with what ever filler. I new your skill and attention to detail you wouldn't do anything but what you did steel plug it excellent sir. The finished article is a credit to you . I've never seen this type of vice and by the way you've shown the flaws I'm kind of glad I haven't . But now you've finished it unless you new how bad they normally are I wouldn't no they weren't top notch . Thanks again really enjoyed . Have a great weekend 👍god bless

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi David! I really need to learn to weld properly and Braze! =) Thanks!!!!

[@davidchadwick1626]

ScoutCrafter you could of brazed it with it being cast very difficult to do any other than that . When I left work oxy set up was something I missed the most . I have mig and I also had tig .but my little 7' square shop hasn't the space for full bottles or even half size bottles . I gave my snap on mig to my son and I sold the tig and got a mini gas less mig it's very small and no gas makes it ideal for the small area I have .then the problem of gas welding .i found a place that does a small set up with map gas and throw away oxy bottles , it comes with the pipes torch and regs ,also three of each gas it was less than £100 about $115 in your money well I'm to say the least very very impressed obviously it won't weld the QE2 but for small jobs like silver solder and brazing does aluminium a treat and heating stuff up it's ideal and very small even has it own stand . Im sure in the states there will be something of the same and I would recommend it . I made a little out of fire prof 12" square mats a booth of sorts and I put that on a fire blanket all folds away so I can use when I need it . Just a thought for you and without the cost of the bigger version and in my case no space for one . I can send pics if you want a look etc just say

[@SteveMcQuillin]

Great job, and perfect timing - just picked up a small vice for a refurb myself. Hope it turns out half as good!

[@ElectricPorch]

That’s a beauty. Looking forward to restoring my 400

[@TheMetalButcher]

Well this really makes me appreciate the 6" Prentiss I use. Nice repair work on this one John. Those endcaps are lovely, I'll keep that one in the bag of tricks.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi Noah! You know, we are lucky now to be able to buy really good vises cheap because they are antiques now but back in the day, when a dollar was a dollar, a high quality vise was a week's salary or more and buying one was a big purchase! The smaller vises were very attractive to home owners and hobbyists. The Prentiss, Reed, York and Parker Vises were not nearly as popular as these small ones because of the price. =D

[@Dobbo2958]

Great refurb, well done.

[@juanramonmartinalbo3886]

Muy buen trabajo, señor... Admirable. Un saludo desde Madrid...

[@Craig6519]

What a great restoration, I sure wish i was that skilled.

[@artsietopology]

That little vise won the lottery when Joe gave it to you. It really is spectacular now! - Kathie

[@ScoutCrafter]

It was on it's way to the landfill and now it's back in service!!!!! =D

[@martinrohm5469]

Excellent job on that vise sir.

[@norherman]

Red! Many skills used on this projects, outstanding! Thanks

[@sonercanbaz5911]

Awesome left hand drills!!!!

[@Dardrum]

You are amazing, excellent workmanship

[@BenButler1]

WOW! Your work paid off!

[@tfknauss]

Wow!,, you are the craftsman! Got to agree with Richard lol...Looks great, turd into - I want one in my shop ! Thanks again!

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi Todd! Lots of these vises floating around Ohio! I bet you have seen a bunch!!!!!!

[@tfknauss]

@@ScoutCrafter I have the bigger brother of it and one like it too (I think its a 25, same color).

[@2dividedby3equals666]

If there was anyone in this world that could do it, it was you!! Great job!!!

[@johnduff6436]

From a "spectacle " to Spectacular!

[@SamS-ni9kb]

Awesome! The jaw repair insert gives it personality! Keep up the good work. I’ve borrowed your board mounting technique for my bench vise.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi Sam! I have 6 vises all mounted that way... Its the best way I found for us Vise hoarders! LOL Thanks!

[@wyattsdad8561]

Ooooo the candy apple is a nice touch 👌

[@mikepugh6483]

Nice tear down, clean and fix up. Beautiful restoration.

[@borilopez8581]

What a beautiful job done luv it

[@a.o.647]

Amazing job! That's awesome.

[@reynaldovalle1773]

Scout this isn't called a great job this is called a masterpiece I tip my hat to you what a masterpiece God bless you family and friends...👍👍👍👍👍