Samson vice repair

[RobCParticipant @robc77385]

Hi folks,

This winter has managed to fracture the quick release return spring on my grandfather's trusty Samson Perfect No.37 vice.

I have had a root through this site and google and seem to be unable to find out much about the vice or it's makers. Any clues for where to look? The date stamped into the casting on this one is 1940, so it's only part way through it's life yet!

I am ideally after one that I can cannibalise, or possibly someone that can help make a replacement for the spring. Alternatively, I will look for another method to keep the pressure on the quick release plate.

Cheers,

 

Rob

Edited By RobC on 05/03/2013 14:35:37

[RobCParticipant @robc77385]

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

If you can't find a spring, try these guys in Skegness

http://www.skegsprings.com/products/

You may be able to ask for a bit of strip to form yourself, but if the spring has broken, can you just re-form the end ?

[RobCParticipant @robc77385]

Thanks for the tip, I will speak to SkegSprings tomorrow.

In case anyone was wondering, here is a pic of the offending item.

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

Hi Rob,

I had a lovely big q/r vice of that vintage as a boy, but my Dad knicked it when I left home – he reckons it was his anyway No paint on it, just light rust all over!

Could you post a pic, I'm curious to see if it is the same.

Neil

[frank brownParticipant @frankbrown22225]

Its a torsion spring? have you looked at the sprung gate closer springs, they are torsion springs about the same diam. With a bit of heat you might be able to get good enough hooks to make it work.

Frank

[tim williams 3Participant @timwilliams3]

Rob C did you find a replacement spring for your vice? The spring on my Samsonia vice has done the same thing. Regards Tim

[frank brownParticipant @frankbrown22225]

Time to grease the QR mechanism for you, samson vice owners . I would just butcher a spring and de-temper the end loop and bend it to the required shape. It would be interesting if you looked inside the spring at the break point to see if it had been rubbing on the shaft causing it to break at this point, normally these sorts of springs break at the sharp bends near the end.

Frank

[tim williams 3Participant @timwilliams3]

thanks Frank. The torsion spring has broken in the center exactly as RobC's picture. Just metal fatigue I suppose after so long. I was holding back on making a spring myself but will obviously have to take the plunge. Tim

[RobCParticipant @robc77385]

I found a replacement from another scrap vice in the end, Tim

[LambtonParticipant @lambton]

Rob c,

Try your local agricultural engineers merchant. You will obviously not find the exact part you require but you may find one that can be adapted by altering the length/ends.

Over the years I have found that agricultural engineers suppliers often have items that are very useful in the workshop if you use a bit of imagination. For example I have used M20 HT bolts to make slit saw arbors turning the shank to 16mm and the head to accommodate the saw blade. They also keep fibre washers and O rings in a large range of sizes together with a host of fasteners. I buy my H32 hydraulic oil from may local one draught just take along a suitable empty container. Farmers do not like paying too much for anything so you will find stuff at very reasonable prices.

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