Qualitytools
Well-known member
I have the same Vise, had to make the clamp down nut for mine..... Was missing.
It's a fine little Vise.
Sent from my MotoG3 using The Garage Journal mobile app
I am looking forward to using it
I have the same Vise, had to make the clamp down nut for mine..... Was missing.
It's a fine little Vise.
Sent from my MotoG3 using The Garage Journal mobile app
Are you going to paint it?I am looking forward to using it
I put a little white or brake grease on my Swivel contact areas, and a dry Lube from a spray can on the threads. (lead screw)Probably not, most likely I will just clean it and if you have any recommendation on a lubricant I will do so also before mounting it.
I'm not trying to throw a wrench in your excellent research, BUT, I believe the 391 Craftsman prefix is for the American company Warren Tool in Ohio. They did outsource many in Japan but I don't think ALL were outsourced. The way to tell the difference is to flip the vise over and look at the bottom of the swivel base. It will be stamped with "Japan."
Steve
I put a little white or brake grease on my Swivel contact areas, and a dry Lube from a spray can on the threads. (lead screw)
Won't attract dirt that way.
Sent from my MotoG3 using The Garage Journal mobile app
Sure!Thanks bubinga!

They look great.The craftsman 5185 started off pretty beat up. Pretty sure this is a jan 1945 production.
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Don't think I ever noticed that on my vise or if for that matter I have the very same vise however a vertical slit in a nut on an Acme thread almost sounds like it would be used to somehow squeeze the nut down to take slop out of it to tighten up the thread almost like a lead screw on the cross slide of a metal lathe.I just bought a 05196 last month for $40 and am in the final stages of painting. Does anyone have a parts list for these vises? I'm wondering what the function of the bolt in the back of the acme screw nut is for? This nut also has a vertical slit in the back, what is that for?
Maybe that slit is just to give the nut a little "give" when you tighten the leadscrew.
Good Job.Thanks babinga. I finished the painting tonight and will put it all together in a few days. I'll share a photo when I'm done. This is my first vise refurb.

i told you not to Break it too Steve.................I'll keep that in mind, thanks.


I said it 1st!


No, was mostly zinging Outlaws....... L0L [emoji850] [emoji850] [emoji850] [emoji850] [emoji850]Yes you did and I thanked you both. I promise not to break it. Just hazing the junior member I guess.
I must say that the 5196 may be a little rare and the handle unique but the casting is ****. Lot of rough and misshapen edges. I would have though Colombian would have done better but it was for Sears after all. It will serve its purpose nicely though.
Yes you did and I thanked you both. I promise not to break it. Just hazing the junior member I guess.
I must say that the 5196 may be a little rare and the handle unique but the casting is ****. Lot of rough and misshapen edges. I would have though Colombian would have done better but it was for Sears after all. It will serve its purpose nicely though.
Thanks babinga, thanks Outlaw!
It was a fun project. It wasn't the original color but there was so little paint on it originally it was hard to tell if it was gray or a shade of bluish-green. Next is my Parker and a few C-clamps.
I don't think these are columbians. I wish the original post would take columbian off of these. there is no hard evidence that columbian made them. There is not one single similarity to a columbian other than the handles having grooves in them. which also appeared before columbian started supplying them to sears. Columbians are light, hollow ductile iron. these are not light. these are not columbian jaws, the date stamp on the top of the slide columbian has never done. the shape of the U in the slide doesn't resemble columbian. the taper on the swivel base doesnt resemble a columbian. Columbians were always flat. Rock islands, Athols, and post 40's Reeds were tapered.
Fair enough. I'm new to vises and was only going by the info on this site. I'll not claim it's anything but a Craftsman.
Your's came out great with the blue!! What did you use for the oil port on the dynamic jaw? Is that original?
I don't think these are columbians. I wish the original post would take columbian off of these.
that is original. on my 5196 dated 10 51, it looks like its steel. on my 1 49 dated 5191, it is brass
OK, I removed the Columbian reference. I made that based on jaw styles, and that mapped to Columbian, and Columbian was a known supplier. This was done long before I had one in hand. At this point, short of finding a smoking gun, I don't think we will ever find out who built these...
Also, where is the date stamp and serial no.?
I don't think we will either. Jaw style is rock island for sure. Columbians didn't use the C or U style jaws since the 20's. Before I had one in hand I was 100% certain it was rock island based on the jaws, the date stamp on the side and the time frame that rock island was still in business but not actively producing new vises. my first initial thought was they possibly had to fulfill a sears contract before shutting their doors completely.
after having 3 now.... and 2 badly broken.... I don't think they are rock islands. the castings are horrible. they are heavy like a rock island, but they are brittle like a prentiss. the swivel base reminds me of an Athol. Columbian never had a tapered swivel lock (or date stamp on the slide, or heavy castings). (reed, Rock island and athol/starrett did). the tooth engagement on the swivel is on the inner ring like rock islands have. the unique threaded collar to hold the spindle is unique to this. the threaded bar to retain and adjust the spindle nut is also unique to this. Maybe Rock island took some ideas from Reeds split nut design that was the craftsman generation of vises before these 519x series. the front half of the spindle support is unique to these vises also. its hard telling... the more of these I get, the less sure of who actually made them. there is even a possibly these were outsourced.... I know no one wants to hear that, but maybe sears took a bunch of older RI and reed made craftsmans over seas and said here... design us something. its hard telling at this point.
Also, where is the date stamp and serial no.?
I can take a pic of the oil port later when i am back at my shop. this is all I have at the moment