What do you do with a vise that won’t turn, won’t open, and looks like it belongs at the bottom of a lake? If you’re Chris Zeppieri of Make Everything, you buy it. In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Chris talks about how he evaluates old tools like vises for salvage and then brings a frozen, rust-covered Chaz Parker vise back to life with a few smart techniques and the help of WD-40 Specialist® Brand Products.
Chris runs the Make Everything workshop in Sea Cliff, New York, a 3,000-square-foot space where he builds furniture, motorcycles and metal sculpture, restores old machines, and shows viewers exactly how he does it. He’s also a dedicated vise enthusiast, and his channel is full of restorations of rare and oversized examples that have passed through his shop.
Two Questions That Matter.
Chris boils buying a vise down to two questions: Is it complete, and is it functional? A vise can be missing a part and still work, or work and still be missing something. If the answer to both is yes, you can buy with confidence. If not, expect more work, though in some cases it’s well worth it.
The vise Chris uses to demonstrate, a Chaz Parker 25 with 5¼-inch jaws, looked crusty and barely turned. A few shots of WD-40 Specialist Penetrant on the tailpiece and into the screw were enough to get it moving through its full range.
Chris also flags a trap on this style of vise. A small “ear” on the back is all that retains the screw. Force a seized screw and that ear can break, leaving the screw stuck in the body or cracking the casting. His fix: tighten things up first so nothing shifts, then work gently past the hard spot.
The $60 “Boat Anchor”
The second vise was giving strong anchor vibes: orange-red rust everywhere, completely seized, possibly pulled up from the briny deep. So why buy it? A pin at the back of the static jaw told Chris it was a swivel-jaw vise, which can be extremely useful. A pivoting rear jaw can grab uneven or tapered work, such as curved beams or the handle of a crescent wrench. Straight-jawed vises simply play it straight.
The heavy swivel base was seized on, so Chris hit it with penetrant spray before reaching for the impact driver, and got it off. The rust underneath was so caked on that further disassembly made no sense, so the vise went into a 25-gallon tub of WD-40 Specialist Rust Removing Soak (note: the solution can be reused multiple times). With some patience in the soaking process, the frozen screw could once again turn freely and its threads were still sharp.
After disassembly, Chris cleaned up the remaining rust with wire wheels run at slow speeds and a grinding and finishing disc to ease tight spots on the slide. He did the work at a downdraft table with a powered respirator, a good reminder to protect your lungs around grinding dust.
\nAfter piecing everything back together, it's wise to protect the freshly refurbished vise. Skip the grease (which collects dirt) and use WD-40® Multi-Use Product on the metal surfaces.
The result is a fully working swivel-jaw vise that began as a rusted lump. Job Done Right.
See the entire restoration on the Make Everything YouTube channel, and explore the WD-40 Specialist line to find the right product for your next restoration.
WD-40 Specialist Penetrant contains a proprietary blend of ingredients that work fast to free rusted bolts and other stuck parts. The capillary action penetrates into tight crevices, threads, and seams to break the bonds that hold stuck parts together. It helps prevent rust and corrosion from re-forming and leaves behind a lubricating layer. The professional-grade formula is low odor, working effectively without harsh, lingering scents.
\nUse Penetrant on nuts, bolts, pipe threads and rusted things that are stuck and won't move! It is safe to use on most common application surfaces, including most metals, plastics, and rubbers when used as directed. If unsure, test on a small area first.
\nThe permanently attached Smart Straw® Sprays 2 Ways® delivery system allows for pinpoint application or a wider spray, giving you different options to fit the job.
"},{"body":"1Test Lab: WD-40 Co. Technical Center (Pine Brook, NJ); Penetration speed measured using nail climb (time to reach 1.75cm); Test dates: 03/2023; 07/2024
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\nRust Remover Soak is ideal for use on auto parts, tractors, antiques, farm equipment & implements, trailers & hitches, and rusty tools. Use at room temperature or higher for maximum effectiveness, as speed and performance drop significantly below 60°F. Don't use on metals with bluing, browning or other oxide coatings or paint, as it will remove these beneficial oxide coatings.
\nThe formula can be re-used. The more you de-rust, the darker the solution becomes. The solution is spent when it turns black and no longer performs. Do not pour the used solution back into fresh product in the original container. Check with your local water treatment facility and dispose of according to local, state, and federal guidelines.
"},{"body":"WD-40 Multi-Use Product protects metal from rust and corrosion, penetrates stuck parts, displaces moisture and lubricates almost anything. Its permanently attached Smart Straw sprays 2 ways®. Available in 8 oz., 11 oz., and 12 oz. can sizes.
\nTwo iconic brands have teamed up for a collab that’s bringing the problem-solving straight to your closet. As of October 14th, Duluth Trading and WD-40® Brand have launched a 10-piece collection of apparel & accessories that’s both built to last and styled for everywhere. Job Done Right, just with more pockets.
The collection merges the energy of these two heritage brands with a limited-edition lineup of apparel and gear inspired by the blue-and-yellow can. Founded in 1953, WD-40® Multi-Use Product swiftly became a garage staple and soon grew to be recognized all around the world. Think of this apparel line as a way to wear your favorite can to the hardware store.
“Duluth Trading and WD-40 Company both believe in solving problems and not cutting corners. I've had a can of WD-40 in my toolbox, garage and around the house for as long as I can remember, so this collaboration hits close to home.”
\n-Ricker Schlecht, Senior Vice President of Product Development at Duluth Trading.
“This collaboration celebrates that same can-do spirit and gives our fans a new way to bring a little WD-40 Brand personality beyond the garage and workshop.\"
\n-Dusan Racic, WD-40 Company Director of Innovation
Duluth outfits you for every season of real life, from everyday errands to hands-on weekends. Here's a list of what’s in the line-up.
Layers and Lounging
Tees and Basics
Gear and Accessories
Every good outfit deserves the right accessory. Slip a WD-40 Precision Pen into your cap pocket or your toolbag and you're ready for squeaky hinges, sticky locks, and tight spaces wherever the day takes you. It's pocket-sized, pinpoint-precise, and ready when the weekend to-do list gets ambitious.
Duluth and WD-40 Brand have a lot in common. Both are built on durability and utility, and both believe there's gotta be a better way to get the job done. This collection brings that mindset into your closet, whether you're running errands, tackling a weekend project, or just looking for a hoodie that can hold a can.
The Duluth Trading x WD-40 Brand collection is limited edition. To stay in the know about where and how to purchase, keep an eye on the Duluth Trading and WD-40 Brand social media channels for the latest.
The WD-40 Precision Pen is engineered to deliver the Classic WD-40 Product with pinpoint precision. Whether you're dealing with squeaky hinges, rusty bolts, or stuck mechanisms, the portable Precision Pen is your go-to solution for small areas and tight spaces. The compact, pocket-sized design ensures you have the power of the Classic WD-40 Product with precise, controlled application at your fingertips, wherever you go — helping you work in tight spaces at work, home, and beyond.
\nPINPOINT PRECISION EVERY TIME
Apply the exact amount of product to small areas and tight spaces with ease.
CONTROLLED APPLICATION
Experience an easy, controlled flow of the Classic WD-40 Product thanks to the Precision Pen’s easy-to-hold design.
PORTABLE & POCKET-SIZED
The pocket-sized Precision Pen fits perfectly into your tool belt, glovebox, or back pocket for quick fixes anytime, anywhere.
MULTI-PURPOSE USE
Perfect for work, home, DIY projects, and on-the-go repairs — the versatile Precision Pen is your all-in-one solution.
CLASSIC WD-40 PRODUCT
Get the job done with the Classic WD-40 Product you know and trust, now in an innovative and convenient, portable pen design.
WD-40 Multi-Use Product protects metal from rust and corrosion, penetrates stuck parts, displaces moisture and lubricates almost anything. WD-40 EZ-REACH features an attached 8-inch flexible straw that bends and keeps its shape to get into hard-to-reach places.
"},{"body":"WD-40 Multi-Use Product protects metal from rust and corrosion, penetrates stuck parts, displaces moisture and lubricates almost anything. Its permanently attached Smart Straw sprays 2 ways®. Available in 8 oz., 11 oz., and 12 oz. can sizes.
\n