Craftsman 5154 vise?

[Ststephen7]

Hey guys,

I have a line on a vise that seems only labeled with Craftsman 5154... He said it has 5" jaws.

Is it a Rock Island?

I got no hits with a quick google search... He wants $200 for it... it looks to be in very good condition.

What say you?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[lowdowndodge]

Just me but I would run away quick from that one....

 

[davethorik]

If you could live with that jaw modification. That vise isn't quite ready for the scrap pile. I'd be curious why there's so much metal missing from under the jaws. Definitely not $200 in my opinion, more like $50.

 

[Ststephen7]

Just me but I would run away quick from that one....

OK, and... it's not that helpful with out a why... the jaws? Just the price?

Most of the vises I've purchased and resold have had that much surface rust, and come out looking great.

So... what is it?

I don't pretend to know everything, so your opinion counts.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Ststephen7]

If you could live with that jaw modification. That vise isn't quite ready for the scrap pile. I'd be curious why there's so much metal missing from under the jaws. Definitely not $200 in my opinion, more like $50.

My guess that the original jaws were removed for some reason, and the ones in the pictures installed instead of the correct ones...

I do think $200 is too much, and people almost always start high and come down...

 

[tool_scrounge]

Those are pretty abused Jaws. Look at the asymmetry of the moving jaw interface. I would take the jaws off and determine how abused it is before deciding a price. Personally, I would pass.

 

[Ststephen7]

Yeah... I see that now. It's seems odd how the jaws are so messed up and the rest of it looks almost untouched.

If they'll come down to $50 I'll risk it, otherwise I'll probably pass.

Thank you for your advice!!

Steve

 

[davethorik]

My guess that the original jaws were removed for some reason, and the ones in the pictures installed instead of the correct ones...

I do think $200 is too much, and people almost always start high and come down...

That vise didn't come new with holes in the static jaw like that, is what I meant. The funny thing is the jaws on it look like the correct ones. It might have been used without jaws for a while which could explain the missing metal. If you look at the left side of the static jaw, you can see how jaw is supposed to fit up with the casting.

 

[drivesitfar]

S7: those look like the original jaws and yes Rock Island made that version for SEARS/CRAFTSMAN in the late 20's and 30's.

the issues I see are the price cause it's not very big, but more importantly is the holes in the back of the jaw tower and the missing supports on under the jaw which is more of an issue than the hole in the back.

sure for $50 you could probably even use it for a parts vise cause main screw and vise nut are almost worth that much. do you weld? if you do then maybe you can practice by building up the jaw towers and if you have a mill you can really smooth those old welds out.

 

[Ststephen7]

S7: those look like the original jaws and yes Rock Island made that version for SEARS/CRAFTSMAN in the late 20's and 30's.

the issues I see are the price cause it's not very big, but more importantly is the holes in the back of the jaw tower and the missing supports on under the jaw which is more of an issue than the hole in the back.

sure for $50 you could probably even use it for a parts vise cause main screw and vise nut are almost worth that much. do you weld? if you do then maybe you can practice by building up the jaw towers and if you have a mill you can really smooth those old welds out.

I offered him $50... he did not reply (not a problem) and then after a couple of days he marked it as sold. I hope he got what he was asking...