Restoring a 100-Year-Old Blacksmith Leg vise

This is an Indian Chief leg vise, these are common in America and were manufactured by the Columbus Forge and Iron Company. This is a nice, tight vise with basically no slop or backlash which is impressive. This is a tool that could easily keep working just as well for another few hundred years if taken care of properly, how many things produced today will last that long?

[@billywalker9223]

I have five post vises, a Peter Wright, a Steel City, and 3 with no markings. I rescued three of tjem from a salvage yard. It's been a joy to restore them to usable tools.

[@bobgore1962]

So Awesome, Liam! ... I just purchased one, just like yours, this morning! Thanks for sharing, my brother!

[@LiamJPenn]

Awesome! 🤘🏼

[@robscott4723]

An excellent straight forward video with excellent camera work!!! May you thrive Liam!

[@FarmsteadForge]

Nice job building the new spring!

[@chrisdrake7331]

I have one identical to this. My Dad passed it down to me. My Great Grandfather used it working for the Railroad in the early 1900’s. They would cut a tree and attach it to the stump while working in remote areas.

[@LiamJPenn]

That’s awesome! It’s always cooler when you know a tools history

[@jaypearman9528]

Super cool, I love blacksmithing and antiques 👍

[@LiamJPenn]

Old tools are the best

[@Anderson-HandForged]

beautiful vise Liam a buddy of mine just gave me one he found in his moms basement, its missing the mount ,keeps, and spring but i can make those easy enough hope all is well 😀Mark 👍✌

[@9entax]

To restore a leg vice you must first have a leg vice!!

[@SchysCraftCo.]

Congrats on the new tool / toy. hope you get great use out of it for many years to come my friend. Can't wait to see more videos soon. Keep up the great craftsmanship and hard work my friend. Forge On. Fab On. Weld On. Keep Making God Bless.

[@LiamJPenn]

Thank you!

[@SchysCraftCo.]

@@LiamJPenn you're welcome

[@jackhintz524]

Sweet restoration man, have you considered adding a voice over to describe what you're doing or music?

[@LiamJPenn]

I have done both in the past. Definitely noticing that voice over gets more views so I’ll be doing that more in the future. I just enjoy mixing it up sometimes so I’m not always listening to my own voice😂

[@jppendleton]

Great video - I just picked up one of these vises, and was curious if you coated it with wax or oil, or something else after you were done with the wire brush?

[@LiamJPenn]

I just sprayed it with wd40. Wax would be a good idea though

[@giboron]

nice work

[@LiamJPenn]

Thank you!

[@WastelandForge]

Good job on the vice man! How's the new place and work treating ya?

[@LiamJPenn]

It’s great! Having the big machines is really letting me explore the ideas that were out of reach before. I’m definitely enjoying the change

[@WastelandForge]

@@LiamJPenn hell yeah man, I'm stoked to see what you do! It's nice to have good tools!

[@jaypearman9528]

Oh yeah I agree give us some commentary

[@LiamJPenn]

I’ve been doing some videos with commentary and some without, those with definitely do better so I’ll be doing more like that in the future. I just enjoy doing some videos with just shop noises sometimes

[@SilentPartner79]

Please let me know how you were able to tell the age, as I just got one.

[@LiamJPenn]

Im no expert but from what I’ve read these Indian chief vises were made in the early 1900s. There is no date stamped or anything like that to go off of.

[@shannoncook4903]

Love it

[@bhaktapeter3501]

what kind of face mask shield is that? it looks great! i want one! 1:33

[@LiamJPenn]

3m versaflo. It’s great. Very much recommend. Been going strong for years now

[@zofuz27]

I have this item 150 yers old leg vise

[@quanghuynguyen6950]

Hà nội việt nam thanhs you