Rockler Quick Release Bench Vise Repair

[@ericp755]

Bought a vintage Wilton 9" vise. It seemed to work ok. I installed it and..it slipped! I couldn't believe it. I thought I bought a worn out vise. I saw your video and tried it. It worked!!! Hard to imagine the build up in the threads. I never would have seen it. You saved my day! Thank you so much.

[@bwasman8409]

Haven’t installed my 7 inch vise yet.....no instructions from Rockler. Your video gives me enough to go on and repair later.. Thanks!

[@billthemanofsteele]

I really appreciate that you took the time to make and post this video. I have the same exact vice and recently mine started slipping when I tightened the vice with anything in it less than about 4" wide. I took the vice apart and cleaned out the partial threads in the locking part, but after reinstalling I still experienced the slipping. I took it all apart again to look closer and what I found was that the locking part is shaped like a cam and when it "locks" it presses against the casting of the vice and that forces the partial threads of the locking part up into the main screw -- at least that is how it should work. In my case it looks like there is wear on the casting which does not allow for enough force on the locking part to fully engage the screw threads -- hence the slipping. I had a thin (1/6 - 1/8") piece of UHMW plastic with adhesive on the back that I applied to the casting below the locking part and now the cam fully engages the threads on the main screw and the vice locks firmly. I hope this may help others who are still experiencing slippage!

[@williamaustin8364]

Barry, THANK YOU VERY, VERY MUCH!!! I have the larger model of the same vice, and I've been using it for about 5 years. After watching your video, I cleaned it out and it is now working just like new. This was a godsend, as I had already spoken to someone at the store where I bought it (asking for suggestions on what to do), and he had given me the address of someone who would "service" and "repair" it for "only" $50 plus shipping. The funny part is that I am pretty nit-picky about keeping the shop clean and I *thought* I had been doing a good job of keeping that screw-thread clean ... But apparently not. Again, thanks a 1,000,000 (and then some) for your video. Now my vice is working like new again and the next time this happens, I'll know what to do.

[@Barrysworkshop]

+William Austin You made my day, William! I'm so glad to hear that this helped you. When I realized what was wrong with mine (and having read many reviews for this vise) I knew that I couldn't be the only one to have this issue. FWIW, it took me several years to have this problem, too. I think it's inevitable, given the design, in spite of you clean one tries to be. Happy woodworking!

[@williamaustin8364]

Barry, THANK YOU VERY, VERY MUCH!!! I have the larger model of the same vice, and I've been using it for about 5 years. After watching your video, I cleaned it out and it is now working just like new. This was a godsend, as I had already spoken to someone at the store where I bought it (asking for suggestions on what to do), and he had given me the address of someone who would "service" and "repair" it for "only" $50 plus shipping. The funny part is that I am pretty nit-picky about keeping the shop clean and I *thought* I had been doing a good job of keeping that screw-thread clean ... But apparently not. Again, thanks a 1,000,000 (and then some) for your video. Now my vice is working like new again and the next time this happens, I'll know what to do. `

[@bobcutillo4158]

This was exactly my problem, and your tutorial was clear, easy to follow and completely successful. Thank you for sharing this

[@Barrysworkshop]

I'm so happy to hear that this helped you, Bob! Thanks for your comment letting me know.

[@TheAngryMushroom]

Barry! I have the 9 inch version. Exact same problem. Thanks for taking the time to shoot this and share. I will try to fix today.

[@Barrysworkshop]

I hope that yours can be effectively brought back to life as mine was. I imagined when making this video that others might have the same problem and hoped that it would be helpful. Please let me know how it turns out!

[@TheAngryMushroom]

Took two tries, it's working now. I think getting the little springy plug set right was the trick. Thanks for the quick response too.

[@Barrysworkshop]

Excellent! I'm very glad that this worked for you.

[@TheParallelParallel]

Thanks so much for posting this. I'm a technical drawing teacher who also teaches basic woodworking to round out my schedule. The shop that I inherited has 20 large vises similar to yours that are not engaging. Hopefully this is all that needs to be done to get them back into working order.

[@Barrysworkshop]

Kudos to you for teaching basic woodworking. Not sure your audience, but the number of available classes for basic woodworking skills seems to be declining. Glad to hear that you're keeping it going. :) And I really hope that you can get your vices working with just some simple maintenance! Thanks for watching, and for your comment.

[@ollyoopwright293]

Thanks, a very informative video. I also have the 7" Quick Release vice but only a few months old so will have to wait and see how it performs. Iappreciate videos like yours, just in case!

[@Barrysworkshop]

I'm really glad you liked this video. I appreciate you letting me know.

[@BobAmarant]

Looks like this is the exact reason NOT to oil the screw as its a magnet for sawdust. Thanks for posting this.

[@Barrysworkshop]

Thanks, Bob! I hope it helps you.

[@shanesmaineshop]

I have an old rusty one like that I want to get working. Thanks for sharing.

[@Barrysworkshop]

Thank you for your comment. I hope you get yours working without too many problems. :)

[@VBshredder]

Thank you! I was wondering how the heck I broke my vise, this oughtta take care of it, same issue.

[@Barrysworkshop]

I hope yours is an easy fix. Thanks for your comment!

[@charlesneeley6329]

Thanks Barry! My Yost vise was doing the same thing. Stupid shop cleanliness...lol

[@AlFurtado]

nice vice and great tutorial thanks for sharing

[@Barrysworkshop]

+Al Furtado (Rebel WoodTurner) Thanks, Al. I appreciate the kind words.

[@deborahrouchon7740]

My 9” is brand new with the same problem. Closes but only opens manually. Rockler is sending me a new nut so hopefully that will fix it.

[@markforan4812]

You note a clip during the disassembly which didn’t seem to serve a purpose. That is used to hold the two vise jaws together during shipping. I don’t think it serves any further use.

[@vegane_athee]

A small fix for a big result. I like those kind of video. I'm curious about the DeWALT extension (I don't know how you call it). Is it a solid tool or is it going to break easily?

[@Barrysworkshop]

Thanks for the kind words. As for the DeWalt 90* extension, I find it very useful. I use it with an impact driver (12V, but still...) and it has performed well for a couple years now. I don't use it every day, but fairly often. It works very well for those times that a regular screwdriver or impact driver doesn't fit. I've seen some mixed reviews online for it, but I'm happy with it.

[@vegane_athee]

Thanks. I will put myself in some investigation for it and buy one.

[@sdmcustoms]

nice fix,thanks for sharing

[@Barrysworkshop]

+sdmcustom woodworking Thanks, Steve. I appreciate the comment. I know I'm not the only one who has this problem (as seen in the reviews on the merchant's website), and I hope it helps someone.

[@sdmcustoms]

+Barry's Workshop that's what I like about KZbin,it's my go to for answers and solutions to problems

[@jonhwalsh4900]

Nice to see I'm not in this along. My Jorgensen has similar problems.

[@Barrysworkshop]

I hope yours is as easy to get back in working order as mine was! Thanks for your comment.

[@SeanRasmusson]

At 3:14 you attach a black clip. What is that clip for?!?

[@jusb1066]

thats a type of quick release ive not seen, the UK type has a lever and a half nut and a very strange thread (not acme) on the quick release, ive only ever seen one actually worn out, usually like yours its accumulation of stuff

[@Barrysworkshop]

+jusb1066 Thanks for commenting. This type of quick release can be operated with one hand, so it's convenient, but depending on where the threads are when you try to engage it, it doesn't always engage right away. IOW it sometimes slips on the first thread. But it generally works OK.

[@horacerumpole6912]

You're in such a rush you can't take the time to soak the clutch nut in solvent and get it completely clean??

[@Barrysworkshop]

Yes, I am, apparently.