I really hope this has a happy ending. I feel enormously emotionally invested at this point.
Well, I think I'm going to be able to produce that happy ending, neevo!!!
I GOT THE JAWS APART!!!!!!!
I had been frustratingly trying to find a way to get those damned jaws to move, even just a little. Then I remembered someone here recommending a steel wedge.
I was in my shop, with the "hot wrench" on the jaws, again soaking in Kroil, and I look up to see my old 8 lb. maul head that I've yet to mount on a handle.
"what the f#%k" I thought. I SHOULD have shimmed the edges of the jaws with a little wood, but didn't, so they got a tiny bit blunted.
It moved just a fraction, which tickled me greatly. I took an old strip of oak I'd been keeping for years, which was JUST THIN enough to provide a nice lever against the lower part of the jaws. As it moved, I kept adding slats, eventually getting to just chopped firewood (which actually worked great).
From there, it was just tedium, getting it to move fractions at a time.
And here is another, to get an idea
Pics are out of order, haha. I'm high on Kroil fumes.
And finally, in 2 distinct pieces. Despite all the vinegar, STILL rusty.
So, order of business for tomorrow is to build my electrolysis bath (perhaps a local welding shop will have that carbon graphite rod I need) and then paint, grease, and reassemble.
Also, while the droop in the screw handle has been straightened, I'm going to try and find my father's old anvil (cannot imagine anyone stealing THAT heavy ass thing) and then heat it again, and pound it completely straight.
You all have really helped with your encouragement and suggestions. Hope to have this finished in the next week or so.
Thanks to everyone taking this ride with me.