Excited to upgrade with a couple questions

Which particular Model System do you have.  From the questions you’re asking and the wording I’m guessing you started with what is now the WE120 and upgraded that to the WE130 with the 1st released Gen 3 Vice, (no split vice and no tension adjustment).  If that is the case the square angle bar will work just fine. The newer Gen 3 (2) vice is the same height and same base and mounts identically.  It has the split jaws and tension adjustment features.

The newer diameter guide rods are the rods Wicked Edge now sells and they are compatible with your ball end brackets.  The  thread size is the same.

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wickededge

The new version mini “L” brackets on the latest version WE130 have shorter length adjustment screws on the ball ends.  The new style mini “L” brackets are narrower so they don’t require as long a thread.  They are also tilted inward to allow for a wider angle range with binding when leaned in to the extreme margin.  The shorter threads are really too short to use with the old style mini “L” bracket ends.

With your older style mini “L” brackets with the opposing thread locking system and wider brackets you need the older longer thread ball rod arm ends.  With the nylon locking screws eliminating the problem of buggering the threads you should be fine with the old style ball ends and brackets.  I’m using the same nylon thread set up for years now.  If you’re comfortable with what you’re using and how well it functions then stick with that.

If you really want to go “new” then you’ll need to replace both the mini “L” brackets and the ball ends.  Then you’ll also need to learn how to work with the new style locking system and work with the very small and compact mini”L” brackets.

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phillyjudge

The ball joint ends that are included with each model that feature micro-adjustments have all been upgraded, yes.   The ball joint itself and the threaded socket that accepts the threaded angle guide rod are the same.  The screws that attach the ball end to the bracket ends have changed in accordance with how each specific model they’re used with has been upgraded in the past four years.  The Gen 3 Pro and the Commercial Series use one style ball rod ends.  All the micro-adjustable models in the Gen 2 series: WE12o, WE13o, Field and Sport, Field and Sport Pro, use the other style ball end with the knurled knob thumb wheel.

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phillyjudge

Correct.  I still use the old ball joints.  I have wiped the balls clean with a dry paper towel to remove the metal dust and lubricated them with a dry lubricant product on the order of this product.  Then rotated the ball to all the extreme margins and this helped greatly to loosen them up.  The larger diameter guide rods in conjunction with the new stone handles does seem to reduce any slop.  The new handles are molded with the bore holes paired to work well with the rods.  There is a tighter tolerance.  The old stones do work well too with the new thicker guide rods.  You may come across some paddles that are too snug.   These I opened up using a dry clean inexpensive bronze gun barrel bore brush run down the paddle hole till they fit and slide correctly.

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Mr. Toad, wickededge