Repairing vice jaws

[Bigjoe]

Ive got a Blacksmiths post vice and ive cleaned it up and under all the crap ive discovered that the rear jaw face has been damaged in the past,like someone has knocked chunks out of it with a hammer...is there anyway i can build it back up and grind,file it to shape? I think its steel but im not 100% sure,and i think its at least 100 years old if that makes a difference.

Ive only got an ac arc welder at my disposal which kind of limits options.

Many thanks

Joe

 

[madkayaker]

id be tempted to leave it if its serviceable rather than risk cracking it

 

[GrahamGKD]

Bigjoe,
Is there an option to turn the damaged jaw the other way up? I'm guessing the damage is on the top edge - if it were on the bottom edge it might not be such an issue?
Graham.

 

[Bigjoe]

Hi Graham,
The jaws are cast. it looks almost identical to this one.

The one on the left

 

[GrahamGKD]

Hi Graham,
The jaws are cast. it looks almost identical to this one.

The one on the left

Oh, I see, so the jaws are not removable like on a modern vice then? Sorry, I misunderstood.
Graham.

 

[Debs.]

If simple regrinding is out (due to insufficient material), then might it be possible to fold up a pair of steel 'jaw-covers', making them a precise fit, secured with screws/tapped-holes into the old-iron, or if not that, then (perhaps) welded-on ends to the covers, to hold them tightly in place?

 

[tigler]

Could the damaged jaw section be cut off and a new piece shaped to fit be welded on ?

 

[johnakay]

if its cast iron it will be easier still to drill and tap new jaws in.

 

[Bigjoe]

From what ive been reading they are either forged iron or forged mild steel with hardened jaws,making an over jaw like Debs said might be an option,id rather not scrap it if i can rescue it.

 

[madkayaker]

the idea of bolt in jaws is a good one if you can get the vice apart get a machine shop to mill a channel (or spare day and file) then bolt those in