Where can I find vise jaws to clamp a small, cylindrical shaft?

[LongCoolMother]

I need some vise jaws to clamp a skinny, cylindrical shaft very TIGHTLY without damaging it. It's for a shaft for a shock on my mountain bike. I need to unthread a part off one end of the shaft, but it's threaded on very tightly. I tried some soft rubbery vise jaws in my vise, but it simply flexes and can't even begin to grip the shaft tightly.

The service manual says I need something like this but I can't seem to find it ANYWHERE online. I was thinking something like this might work, but I'm afraid it might marr the surface of the shaft badly. Plus, it has to be able to grip very tightly, and not slip, and I'm not sure the prismatic surface will be able to hold tightly enough.



Does anyone have any ideas?

 

[compuwiz1]

Vice grips.

Just do not grip on any bearing surfaces or threaded ends.

If you cannot get to any non bearing surfaces or non threaded ends, then get two nuts that thread on, screw one on, then put a washer over the shaft, then screw another nut on top of the first, with the washer between them. Using two wrenches, run the nuts down tight against the washer. You should now be able to hold the shaft stable with a wrench.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: LongCoolMother
I need some vise jaws to clamp a skinny, cylindrical shaft very TIGHTLY without damaging it.

I'm betting the typical ATOTer should be able to manage that with his hand.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Home Depot: You Can Do It; We Can Help.

 

[natto fire]

I take it that part you referenced was aluminum? It might be worth it to try to find an aluminum slug, and carving the shape out yourself, either with a dremel or likewise.

Also, prepare for the idiotic kiddie ATOT responses, given the wording in your title.

 

[LongCoolMother]

Originally posted by: Captain Howdy
I take it that part you referenced was aluminum? It might be worth it to try to find an aluminum slug, and carving the shape out yourself, either with a dremel or likewise.

Also, prepare for the idiotic kiddie ATOT responses, given the wording in your title.

Yeah, I figured the wording was going to garner some of those type of responses. Fortunately the odd hour spares me of some of that-- for now.

 

[jackace]

Originally posted by: compuwiz1
Vice grips.

Just do not grip on any bearing surfaces or threaded ends.

If you cannot get to any non bearing surfaces or non threaded ends, then get two nuts that thread on, screw one on, then put a washer over the shaft, then screw another nut on top of the first, with the washer between them. Using two wrenches, run the nuts down tight against the washer. You should now be able to hold the shaft stable with a wrench.

Seems like good advice to me

 

[LongCoolMother]

Originally posted by: compuwiz1
Vice grips.

Just do not grip on any bearing surfaces or threaded ends.

If you cannot get to any non bearing surfaces or non threaded ends, then get two nuts that thread on, screw one on, then put a washer over the shaft, then screw another nut on top of the first, with the washer between them. Using two wrenches, run the nuts down tight against the washer. You should now be able to hold the shaft stable with a wrench.

The problem is that both ends of the shaft have things already threaded on. One side is the side I need to thread off. The other side has something threaded on as well, but it "rotates" freely without loosening. Therefore, I gain no leverage at all by holding onto that side. The only place I can clamp onto is the shaft itself.

I may try the vice grips idea. I actually got out of a similar situation while working on my fork not long ago. It was pretty crazy. Problem is, I think this one will be even more difficult, as the shaft is slightly larger in diameter and the end I'm trying to get off has likely been loc-tited! :thumbsdown:

 

[natto fire]

Originally posted by: jackace

Originally posted by: compuwiz1
Vice grips.

Just do not grip on any bearing surfaces or threaded ends.

If you cannot get to any non bearing surfaces or non threaded ends, then get two nuts that thread on, screw one on, then put a washer over the shaft, then screw another nut on top of the first, with the washer between them. Using two wrenches, run the nuts down tight against the washer. You should now be able to hold the shaft stable with a wrench.

Seems like good advice to me

Getting vice grips to clamp down on a part without damaging it is rather tough, especially if the part is delicate. What is the motorcycle part that you are trying to grip made out of? It can be quite tricky, but there are ways to save softer metal from the destruction of harder metals and even make repairs too.

What exact part does this pertain to on your bike, BTW? If it is part of the calipers, just forget about saving the part and go ahead and budget a new one.

 

[PottedMeat]

Originally posted by: LongCoolMother

I may try the vice grips idea. I actually got out of a similar situation while working on my fork not long ago. It was pretty crazy. Problem is, I think this one will be even more difficult, as the shaft is slightly larger in diameter and the end I'm trying to get off has likely been loc-tited! :thumbsdown:

Would you be able to soak it it solvent or something? What gets loctite out? Maybe soak the end in a glass of acetone.

 

[LongCoolMother]

Whoops, I guess I should have specified. It's actually a damper shaft for a rear shock for my mountain bike. I'd take it to my LBS, but I doubt they'd have so specific a part either. Then it's off to the manufacturer....$$$....and who knows how long until I'll be able to hit the trails again.

It isn't the first time I've been banging my head due to these bike parts. I'm not the only one to think the bicycle industry is just so brilliant with innovation, yet so lacking in standardization or serviceability!

 

[jackace]

have you tried vice grips with rubber (or some other material softer then the shaft material) between the grips and the shaft?

edit - what about a pipe wrench like the one at this link? 5th one down with the strap

http://www.mytoolstore.com/roth/pipe08.html

 

[LongCoolMother]

Originally posted by: jackace
have you tried vice grips with rubber (or some other material softer then the shaft material) between the grips and the shaft?

edit - what about a pipe wrench like the one at this link? 5th one down with the strap

http://www.mytoolstore.com/roth/pipe08.html

I actually have a strap wrench almost identical to the one shown. It was needed to remove an air canister from the same shock I'm working on. Works great for that, but it won't hold the damper shaft, since its so small, only about 10mm in diameter. A vice grip might do the trick. The one I have is too violent though, probably steel jaws or something.

 

[jackace]

try and use a couple layers of inner tube from a bad bike tire to cushion the shaft or maybe even a few pieces of wood.

edit- what about making something like this out of wood. It would only take a small block of wood, a saw and a drill?

 

[VWhed]

I could make you the jaws if that is what you would want, but it would take a while in shipping. I am in PA.... PM or email me and we can talk about it.

 

[Dhawk]

My solution would be to drill a hole in a block of wood the same size as the shaft, then cut the block of wood in half, placing the cut thru the center of the hole. Place the 2 blocks of wood around the shaft, then secure the fixture in a vise. I would suggest heating the bolt to soften the loctite before trying to remove it. One of the ways that I have been successful removing loctited screw was to heat the tip of the driver till it was cherry-red, then just hold the driver against the screw head for a few seconds before trying to turn it. The heat from the tip of the heated driver will transfer thru the screw and soften the loctite. It may take more than one try with heating the driver and applying it to the screw to soften the loctite enough to turn it. Good luck.

 

[CFster]

Ever heard of a strap wrench? We use it to hold pulleys when unbolting them.

Here.

There are other brands out there. That was just the first thing that came up on Google for me.

 

[Engineer]

You might try a vice with brass inserts. You still need to be careful not to overtighten it though. Almost all of our vises at work have brass inserts and they make a big difference in that they are soft enough to bite into most metals without damaging it. YMMV.

 

[jackace]

Originally posted by: Dhawk
My solution would be to drill a hole in a block of wood the same size as the shaft, then cut the block of wood in half, placing the cut thru the center of the hole. Place the 2 blocks of wood around the shaft, then secure the fixture in a vise. I would suggest heating the bolt to soften the loctite before trying to remove it. One of the ways that I have been successful removing loctited screw was to heat the tip of the driver till it was cherry-red, then just hold the driver against the screw head for a few seconds before trying to turn it. The heat from the tip of the heated driver will transfer thru the screw and soften the loctite. It may take more than one try with heating the driver and applying it to the screw to soften the loctite enough to turn it. Good luck.

Yeah this is my suggestion just with a much better description then i posted. (not the loctite stuff that was all Dhawk)

 

[mercanucaribe]

Paris Hilton seems to be very skilled at using her jaws to clamp a skinny, cylindrical shaft very TIGHTLY without damaging it.