Eclipse 180 instrument vice

[James DickieParticipant @jamesdickie20444]

I have just bought an Eclipse 180 instrument vice, but the clamp screw that engages the tail of the actual vice has come adrift from it's pressure pad. The pad is stuck at the end of its travel, so the vice tail won't come out of the clamp block. A previous owner has obviously tried to force it out, because the bottom of the tail had a burr on it. Even after stoning this off, the vice tail won't go past the pressure pad, so I'm guessing that has been burred as well.

If some has one of these vices and can post a pic of the clamp screw and pressure pad so that I know what it looks like, then I'd really appreciate it.

[James DickieParticipant @jamesdickie20444]

Help needed to restore it

[Chris VParticipant @chrisv]

Hi James, there,s one for sale on eBay right now with a decent photo that might help.

Cheers

Chris.

[James DickieParticipant @jamesdickie20444]

Thanks, Chris, but I'm looking for a photo of one that's been disassembled. At least, just the clamp screw that engages with the vice tail.

James

[phil hurstParticipant @philhurst35316]

Hi James,

Is this the clamp screw? The pad looks like it has a cheese head on it and a couple of crimps seems to hold it in. It rotates freely relative to the screw.

Hope this helps

Phil

[DC31kParticipant @dc31k]

There are some good pictures of an assembled one here:

ECLIPSE 180 INSTRUMENT VICE

Does the clamp screw screw in and out reasonably freely? Can it be removed (with or without the pad)?

Can you put a socket over the end of the boss that holds the tail so it rests on both parts of the tail and gently hammer it to send the pad back enough to release the tail?

[James DickieParticipant @jamesdickie20444]

Phil: Thanks very much, that's just what I was looking for. The screw and the little coupler with the crimps come out of mine easily, but the pad is jammed in.

DC31k: Thanks for the link. The tail of the vice slides freely in the boss, it just won't go past the end of the clamp pad.

I suspect I'm going to have to file down the round section at the end of the vice tail so that it will come out of boss. Then hope that I can get at the clamp pad with a Dremel bit to get rid of any burrs and somehow get it out. Might need to then drill that little couple for a couple of grub screw to hold the pad in place again.

[DC31kParticipant @dc31k]

Posted by James Dickie on 09/04/2020 20:26:31:

The screw and the little coupler with the crimps come out of mine easily, but the pad is jammed in.

If they come out, can you get to the pad through the hole they were in? Maybe with a long drill bit. Possibly tap it and pull it out. Even a rod with superglue on it and then after a suitable time, give it a yank.

[James DickieParticipant @jamesdickie20444]

I ground the end off the vice tail. It's pretty hard steel, a file wouldn't touch it. That got the vice out of the boss. I could then get a bit of bar down the hole and press the pad out into the hole in the boss. It was rusted almost solid for the last 10mm. Soaking it in rust remover then got that back to the point where I could wind in the screw until the coupler clicked into place and withdraw the pad. Cleaned the end up, oiled it and reassembled. Now it's working perfectly, just like it was described in the eBay listing…

Thanks to all for your help and advice.

Edited By James Dickie on 10/04/2020 16:32:45

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