Removing a cotter (split) pin from an old vice?

[gizmo1990]

Bit of a difficult question to fit a thread. Here kind of makes sense since it's about a vice?

I'd like to dismantle my grandad's old vice and give it a good clean and lubrication. However, taking it apart seems to hinge on removing this cotter (I seem to remember them being called split?) pin. Given its location, I can't get a huge amount of leverage on it. Either to punch it out at the end

or say, bash a punch into the head hole.

Anyway, does anyone know how to best remove them in similar positions?

Any advice much appreciated.

 

[JohnD]

It doesn't look like a split pin to me. Might be an odd screw someone tapped in?

If it's tricky, file off one end and punch it through. Or pull, it will be easier once you filed off the enlarged end.

A parallel punch, with a flat, not pointed, end.

Get a can of Plus-Gas if you can find it.

Stand back and take a wider photo please. Topside and underneath.

The maker's name and model number are probably on the castings.

 

[Burnerman]

Its a split pin with the round end slightly flattened, I think.....
Give it a good drench with penetrating oil first, but heat will help.
If you cant punch it back, you can always cut the head off and punch it through or even try pulling the ends.
I use a set of cutting edge pliers to get a purchase, not cutting through obviously!
If you remove all visible bits you can pull the vice apart and then deal with the pin at your leisure.
John

 

[Stivino]

Sidecutters for me too. Just don't snip the head off it.

 

[foxhole]

Cut off the open end ( only thing that keeps them in place ) the tap out with small Allen key.Or looks like there is room to tap a nail in top end which should force it loose .

 

[gizmo1990]

Thanks for all the replies everyone.

Here you go @JohnD I think it's a DRGM? I thought the end stock might be removable but it looks like it's welded in place?

 

[Burnerman]

I think that end is cast iron, and it’s rivetted in place.....we can just see the end of the rivet.
John

 

[Deleted member 174758]

DRGM isn't a make as such, it stands for Deutsches Reiches Gebrauches Musterschutz (for any German speakers, my apologies if the spelling isn't 100%), or registered/protected design under the German Reich. Found on German manufactured items from AFAIK 1891 until 1952. I've seen this on German spanners in the past (ITMA and Dowidat makes)

 

[JohnD]

If you want to de-rust it, the electrolysis method (using soda crystals) is less damaging than abrasive methods.

I see the original Tommy-bar is gone. A nice piece of bright steel with knobs on the end will look and handle better.

You should find the original paint colour underneath and in crevices.

 

[Nige F]

Its a split pin with the round end slightly flattened, I think.....

John

K D F to you John - have an iron cross

 

[gizmo1990]

If you want to de-rust it, the electrolysis method (using soda crystals) is less damaging than abrasive methods.

I see the original Tommy-bar is gone. A nice piece of bright steel with knobs on the end will look and handle better.

You should find the original paint colour underneath and in crevices.

I don't have the battery and items to hand for the soda crystal method unfortunately. I was thinking of using baking soda or citric acid and 'lightly' going over with a metal brush?

Once I'm done, does anyone know what the recommended grease to use on the thread is?

 

[Burnerman]

Its a cast iron vice.....a wire mop in an electric drill would do nicely. As for the grease, whatever is in the garage.
John

 

[Stivino]

You won't have to grease the sliding parts because cast iron has self-lubricating properties.

 

[conny]

Can you get a dremmel cutter in there to cut off both ends? I'd go for the split end first then try to get a small cold chisel into the eye and see if it will lift a little.
Once you start getting it out of the hole as far as you can you can then bang the eye a over a bit to give you more space to pull/lever the rest out.
Failing that try to chop both ends flush with a sharp cold chisel then withdraw the jack screw(?) to be able to remove whats left.
It can be done but these types of problems just require a bit of thought and plenty of patience.

 

[JohnD]

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