Leg Vise restoration and Stand

[natie123]

Bought at an action many years ago for ZAR10 (less than one US$), this leg vise was painted, rusted and the individual parts were welded to each other and to a section of pipe. The parts were carefully cut apart, the paint removed, the welding ground off and a new wedge (for securing the vise to the stand) was cut from 10 x 50mm mild steel. The individual parts were then heated slightly with a blow torch and treated with a DIY paste wax. The restored vise has been used to good effect inside and outside the workshop for the past year. (Photo 1)
The base consists of a 1” car rim, with a socket (10x50mm flat bar and 50x50 angle iron) welded to the bottom for the leg vise shaft. Rebar was added for support and the base was filled with concrete (the socket was covered in masking tape and all other openings were covered to prevent the concrete from seeping out while setting.) Indents of 3mm were ground into three sections of the rim to improve stability where the workshop floor is slightly uneven. (Photo 2)
A pipe (100mm diameter) and a base for the vise supporting bracket were added. Sturdy nylon wheels were added and are 3mm off the ground when the base is level. A removable handle is used to facilitate moving the vise (Photos 3 and 4). When required, the vise can be clamped the corner or side of my steel workbench, which in turn is bolted to the wall (Photos 5 and 6). I have rarely needed to do this, as the assembly weighs 84 Kg (186 lbs) and is quite stable.