Is there a good, all-inclusive source for replacement vise jaws?

[mark-NJ]

I have a small Dunlap (Sears, right?) 5244 that's on my welding table, and it fits its purpose just fine. That said, the jaws are pretty worn and I'd sure like to find another set. I've looked high & low and can't find anything anywhere that will fit. Is this size unavailable, or am I just not looking in the right places?

Here's a pic & dimensions:






I can't find anything even close. Nothing seems to have that 2.250" hole-to-hole spacing.

Any ideas?

 

[1982fxr]

There is no single source that's worth a ****. Actually there's no single source at all.

 

[larry4406]

There is no single source that's worth a ****. Actually there's no single source at all.

Well there is one, and he is excellent and a member here! Not sure if he is still doing them.

Calling @KMScott

 

[larry4406]

These are 2-3/8" screw spacing. Could you ovalize the hole to work?

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

 

[slowtwitch73]

You just have to make them, which isn't hard if you have a mill.

I could do it easy, but by the time you factor in materials, time, shipping etc it doesn't pencil out to offer it as a service.

Maybe try these:

Jaws | AntiqueVises

www.antiquevises.com

Bench Vise Restoration Repair

Supporting old Vises with Quality Vise parts.

wiltonviseparts.wordpress.com

 

[KMScott]

Well there is one, and he is excellent and a member here! Not sure if he is still doing them.

Calling @KMScott

Mark and Larry. Yes the holes could be slotted but with your dimensions just have Logan Kendrick at Antiquevises.com build you a set. I still make jaws but only for my own restorations. Retired in 2020.

 

[dscheidt]

I've made a replacement vice jaw with a hacksaw, a hand drill, a couple files, and a propane torch to harden it. If I were doing that again, I'd use a grinder or dremel to put the grooves in, but it was an afternoon project doing it all by hand.

 

[slowtwitch73]

Here's a handy way to checker the jaws taken from this video

 

[larry4406]

Mark and Larry. Yes the holes could be slotted but with your dimensions just have Logan Kendrick at Antiquevises.com build you a set. I still make jaws but only for my own restorations. Retired in 2020.

I am honored to have had you make a set for my Prentiss! They are awesome and almost too nice to use!

Enjoy your retirement!

 

[WMichelsen]

I went through a similar search when trying find jaws for an old 6" TaskMaster vise. I posted about it here:

Taskmaster Bench Vise

Does anyone know about this vise? I am looking at one for $100 and need to know if it a good deal!

www.garagejournal.com

I ended up getting some cheap pair from Zoro, with workable dimensions, and holes that did not interfere with the existing holes. Then, drilled new screw holes. You'll probably replace the screws, so don't worry about the hole inset being tapered or straight.

Anyway, here's the info I compiled from the sources I could locate. I sometimes found conflicting info, (separated by commas). If you find additional info, add it to the sheet and repost it.

 

[paulsomlo]

These are 2-3/8" screw spacing. Could you ovalize the hole to work?

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

$177 jaws on a $50 vise? Get some aluminum bar stock and some blind hole spotters and get to it - you can make all the jaws you want for less than $3 a pair:

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/b...50/thickness~0-25/width~5-8-1/?s=lauminum+bar

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/blind-hole-spotters/

You can drill and counterbore the jaws using two drill bits, or you can get sophisticated and buy a counterboring drill bit.

 

[kaymccampbell]

I have a small Dunlap (Sears, right?) 5244 that's on my welding table, and it fits its purpose just fine. That said, the jaws are pretty worn and I'd sure like to find another set. I've looked high & low and can't find anything anywhere that will fit. Is this size unavailable, or am I just not looking in the right places?

Here's a pic & dimensions:






I can't find anything even close. Nothing seems to have that 2.250" hole-to-hole spacing.

Any ideas?

Buy some bar stock. Hacksaw your chunks. Clean up with file. Drill your holes. Break out the file again and checker them. Happiness is.

 

[KMScott]

Several jaw makers here, would love to see your work. Aluminum and soft steel hand serrated jaws will do in a pinch but building jaws from Toolsteel and heat treating them will last many years. Here are a few blogs I made on jaw building.

Vise Jaw Steel and Heat Treating: Why It Matters

A tool is only as good as the material it is made from. Vise jaws can be made out of just about anything from brass or aluminum to copper or soft steel. The best material for vise jaws …

wiltonviseparts.wordpress.com

Cutting Serrations on Jaw Faces

Customers ask how to cut serrations in the jaw faces. Here’s how I do it. There are a couple ways of doing it. One is using a metal shaper, which pushes an angle cutter through the stee…

wiltonviseparts.wordpress.com

 

[paulsomlo]

Several jaw makers here, would love to see your work. Aluminum and soft steel hand serrated jaws will do in a pinch but building jaws from Toolsteel and heat treating them will last many years. Here are a few blogs I made on jaw building.

Vise Jaw Steel and Heat Treating: Why It Matters

A tool is only as good as the material it is made from. Vise jaws can be made out of just about anything from brass or aluminum to copper or soft steel. The best material for vise jaws …

wiltonviseparts.wordpress.com

Cutting Serrations on Jaw Faces

Customers ask how to cut serrations in the jaw faces. Here’s how I do it. There are a couple ways of doing it. One is using a metal shaper, which pushes an angle cutter through the stee…

wiltonviseparts.wordpress.com

The majority of the time, I'm holding stuff I don't want marred, so soft jaws work well for me. When they get messed up, I can clean up the faces in the mill. Hard to beat for less than $5/pair.

 

[slowtwitch73]

^^ yup. Serrated steel jaws get tossed in the drawer of tools that don't see daylight.

 

[mark-NJ]

Thanks everyone. I'm beginning to think the only practical answer is a dremel & a file...and re-groove what I have.

 

[slowtwitch73]

There would probably be a market for jaw 'blanks'.. steel that had the teeth cut into it, no holes, long enough guys could cut to suit. Few different size runs could cover many bases.

 

[1982fxr]

There would probably be a market for jaw 'blanks'.. steel that had the teeth cut into it, no holes, long enough guys could cut to suit. Few different size runs could cover many bases.

I bet you are right on that.

 

[BTL-A4]

I have a milling machine so I can make my own. I use aluminum since it's softer and easy to machine. I got drawings of all my vise jaws and make a set when needed. I add a rabbet on top so I can hold thin sheets.

Is there a database of the center to center distances? Maybe add one to the vise thread?

 

[Beerhippie]

Alternatively, you could just hide the jaws you have:



Made from 1 1/2" type L copper tubing scraps. They also keep welding BBs and slag from sticking to the vise.