Harbor Freight vice vs Trackbar bushings

TerryMason

Administrator
Staff member
So, I went to use my relatively new Harbor Freight vice to press out the bushing in my old trackbar. I've to a large socket for the bushing to press into, and a smaller socket to press the bushing out with.

IMG_0200_harbor_freight_vice.JPG


Here's the result:

IMG_0201_harbor_freight_vice.JPG

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That's crazy! Take it back it could have been a defect in just that one?

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I've got the exact same one on my table at work. I've never put much load on it though. There's a Wilton that's mounted on our fab table I like to use that I'm sure came from Noah's ark. I've got a Columbian here at home that's a hoss. If I were you I'd search craigslist or the flea mkts for an old American made vise. You can get a good deal on one if you shop around.
 

Dude , like if you find a drill press from Noah's ark , let me know ? I am so there !
 

I wouldn't even bother getting another one unless you are just going to use it for wood projects. Takeing a good look at the broken part of the vice, you will notice a cavity there. If that cavity was not there and was solid metal it may not have broken that easily. That's in an area that nobody sees and the makers of that vice can skimp on the cost of materials to make it. Selling a whole lot of vices they save a lot of money on that little bit of material.
The quality of the metal these days compared to something made in the 50's is very poor. I had worked in a machine shop in the early 80's repouring babbit bearings. I had a large pot of molten babbit that I would skim off the impurities from it and toss it in a 55 gallon drum. After the drum was full they would sell it to the metal companys that in turn would add it to their metal as a filler.
Flatie 46 had the best advice ,look around for an old American made vice.
 
I will say this, I have a drill press in my basement that is old enough that it used to be run via a belt in the ceiling of a factory- via a steam engine outside the factory. At some point it was converted to electric and a motor plate added on top. A friend had it laying on it's side in a field, I hauled it home and have been fiddling with it here an there. I've got it freed up enough to turn but not move up and down yet. I've got a used 3/4 hp motor and a couple of stepped pulleys to change the speeds. I have a weakness for old junk. lol
 

I will say this, I have a drill press in my basement that is old enough that it used to be run via a belt in the ceiling of a factory- via a steam engine outside the factory. At some point it was converted to electric and a motor plate added on top. A friend had it laying on it's side in a field, I hauled it home and have been fiddling with it here an there. I've got it freed up enough to turn but not move up and down yet. I've got a used 3/4 hp motor and a couple of stepped pulleys to change the speeds. I have a weakness for old junk. lol

The company that owns the shop I work at (now manage) has several old press's that used to be belt driven as well...the rest of there presses date from the '20-'30s. Periodically I make replacement parts for them, it just goes to prove they don't make them like they used to.
 
ForumRunner_20140221_212044.pngSorry the pics sideways but anyway, that's my old project drill press. It's hard to get it all in a pic.
 
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<img src="http://www.jeepz.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=19061"/>Sorry the pics sideways but anyway, that's my old project drill press. It's hard to get it all in a pic.
I have a similar weakness of parts , tools , electrical , etc. that prompts me to just hold on to these items for prosperity . Every now and again , something will get used by myself or someone , so It goes to show that there is a definate need for old stuff . I have several carburetors from '80s CCC General Motors vehicles that are in need of rebuild but I have not done so because of lack of need. But I know as well as you that everything will have it time when it is needed. I just know that the drill press in your possession will prove needy if returned to a serviceable state . I know you can whip it into shape and the how to guy that you are will have you finding endless uses for it. It's from an era that everything was built to last forever so it's definately worth your time and effort to restore for your needs. Hoping you can soon just walk up to it and use it to fulfill your need. Hey , if that vise and that press came into your possession , you know there's more stuff out there to capture your imagination. I always keep an open mind to these things too. Good luck hunting them down brother and relish the thought knowing you've got a real quality tool that will serve you well !
 
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