Craftsman/Sears, Vise ID by Catalog

[Huntsfromtree]

I know Reed built many Craftsman vises but this it the only one I've seen with this Craftsman tin tag/label. It has a date code of 12/46

 

[Bob10]

I just dug this one out of my stash and tossed it up on CL it is 3.5" and similar to only one I have seen posted here but I think that was in a larger size.

 

[derek_m]

here's my 506-51811. has anyone replaced the handle on these? if so what are you using?

also attached a parts diagram/list. found this with the vise.

 

[Outlawmws]

What is wrong with yours? looks OK from the angle..

 

[bubinga]

here's my 506-51811. has anyone replaced the handle on these? if so what are you using?

also attached a parts diagram/list. found this with the vise.

What is wrong with yours? looks OK from the angle..

I know, it does look OK.
Looks like it might be bent a little bit.

 

[DFB]

Bar handles can usually be straightened up pretty decently even just by clamping them in another vise, and I've routinely done a few that way, but gee does seem most every one I find has a slightly bent handle...but if the screw is messed up well guess that's another story.


What is with the bending all these vise handles anyhow?

My bud at the motorcycle shop recently replaced an older USA one that he BROKE with a big 8" Wilton branded import and promptly bent the handle on that one too!

 

[derek_m]

the handle is bent in a few places. it seems pretty lightweight for the vise, almost half the size of the handle on my 3" parker. i figured it would be easier to replace than to try and get straight again.

 

[jjsoto01]

I’ve got one for you guys. I just got this from a gentleman that bought it from an elderly man a yard sale. When I first saw it, it obviously raised my eyebrow because it’s stamped “Made in England” and has a craftsman badge. Initially I recognized it as a Record No. 3 but after picking it up I noticed there is no open slot on the bottom and the main nut is not detachable. So, this is a Paramo No. 3 but made for Craftsman.

Had to be made for Sears Canada then? The gentleman said the elderly man was from Canada so that makes sense. Either way I have not been able to find anything online or in archives regarding this vice (not vise since it’s English )I have found what I believe were some wood working vises made by Paramo for Craftsman.

Let me know if anyone has any info regarding this. Thanks!

 

[MayerMR]

I’ve got one for you guys. I just got this from a gentleman that bought it from an elderly man a yard sale. When I first saw it, it obviously raised my eyebrow because it’s stamped “Made in England” and has a craftsman badge. Initially I recognized it as a Record No. 3 but after picking it up I noticed there is no open slot on the bottom and the main nut is not detachable. So, this is a Paramo No. 3 but made for Craftsman.

Had to be made for Sears Canada then? The gentleman said the elderly man was from Canada so that makes sense. Either way I have not been able to find anything online or in archives regarding this vice (not vise since it’s English )I have found what I believe were some wood working vises made by Paramo for Craftsman.

Let me know if anyone has any info regarding this. Thanks!

I would bet your supposition is correct. And that's a neat vise, a very rare bird too, I bet. Nice find!

 

[jjsoto01]

Was hoping to find some info on it like the original color since I do not believe it came in the original cobalt/royal blue that record and Paramo vises use. Is there an old craftsman blue that these old vises came in?

 

[Outlawmws]

What date ranges were the Paramo No.3's run? Almost certainly post war, since Paramo was created during the war...

There was a fair amount of blue prewar, and during on things other than vises, but I don't think Canada had much color continuity with the US craftsman stuff until later?

 

[honza.vosalik]

This thread is very cool

This is my Craftsman 5163, 4.5" made by Rock Island.

I still hope to find one of those 4.5" Heritage badge Craftsman Reeds...

 

[lardy1]

Is there a way to further identify the 506 other than 518X? Do the two digits after 518 signify age?

 

[ptgarcia]

Is there a way to further identify the 506 other than 518X? Do the two digits after 518 signify age?

Definitely not a date mark. I think it actually indicates jaw width.

 

[lardy1]

OK. Thank you. The vise is marked 51801. Perhaps the 01 designates its 3 1/2" jaw width.

I won it at auction yesterday. I have been reading a lot about vise restoration and, although I understand a Craftsman small vise probably isn't worth much, I have decided that the original paint has more character than any amateurish paint job I might give it. So......after running everything through the parts washer several times and relubing, I think I'm just going to mount it.

I believe it falls somewhere between the catalog gap after 1968 but not sure.

 

[Outlawmws]

OK. Thank you. The vise is marked 51801. Perhaps the 01 designates its 3 1/2" jaw width.

I won it at auction yesterday. I have been reading a lot about vise restoration and, although I understand a Craftsman small vise probably isn't worth much, I have decided that the original paint has more character than any amateurish paint job I might give it. So......after running everything through the parts washer several times and relubing, I think I'm just going to mount it.

I believe it falls somewhere between the catalog gap after 1968 but not sure.

I don't think so. IIR, and I'm admittedly getting rusty...) 68 was when the 4"er came out and I think that was post Columbian, and into the "Made in Japan" 391 era. 506 is def. Columbian.

The jaw width is:
5180 = 3-1/2
5188 = 4"
5181 = 5"

 

[lardy1]

A few more Craftsman vises for reference sake.

A Craftsman 506.51801 vise with 3.5" wide jaws. I always liked the look of this style vise. This one is in pretty nice shape.

This is identical to my recent auction win ($49.00 after buyers premium and sales tax). Same numbers. Same size.

The last post confused me a bit so I'm "guesstimating" this to be late 60's or early 70's?


EDIT: I thought the photo's from the quoted post would show in my quote. Sorry. When my slow internet cooperates I will post some. But the post on page 6 nails it. Right down to condition.

 

[TOYSTRY]

What does “Columbian” supplier mean, I’ve seen it referenced a few times. Also is that a good or bad thing? I just acquired a 1960 era craftsman vise 4.5”. Mine clearly says made in the USA and is in really good condition. Also curious what’s the original color/paint scheme was for this?

 

[Outlawmws]

Colombian was at one time the largest vise maker in america, possibly the world.

Keep in mind, that "Craftsman" was simply a Sears branding, and Sears didn't actually manufacture anything. anything with Sears, Craftsman, Companion, Dunlap, Kenmore and dozens of other Sears brands were made to spec on contract.

So they were the suppliers of a number of different vises for Sears.

 

[ed4banger]

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[wrenchguy]

I’ve got one for you guys.
Let me know if anyone has any info regarding this. Thanks!

Tag fastened with machine screws?? Anyone seen this b4?

 

[ed4banger]

Would anyone know the original color of the 5152 Craftsman vise

Dark blue

 

[ed4banger]

....

 

[GalaxyRat]

I found this Craftsman on Craigslist for $30 and was wondering if anyone has any information about it. I've never seen one with a vertical name, except the 51XX series, and those are curved.

The side photo is blurry, but I think it says "5212". I was able to edit the pictures for a little bit more clarity.

Thanks for any help.

Sent from my SM-G973U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[ed4banger]

I found this Craftsman on Craigslist for $30 and was wondering if anyone has any information about it. I've never seen one with a vertical name, except the 51XX series, and those are curved.

The side photo is blurry, but I think it says "5212". I was able to edit the pictures for a little bit more clarity.


//URL]

....

 

[GalaxyRat]

You don't see these often, they are old, 1932-1933

Thanks for the info! I'll see if he still has it.

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[GalaxyRat]

I picked up the Craftsman 5212 today for two boxes of 9mm ammo. It isn't in horrible shape, but I'll have to clean it up over the next few days and see it without rust or grease. I love it so far, haha. I outlined where the swivel base teeth are worn down.

A couple of drill holes and some scars. The handle has one end welded and the other crudely pinned. Stamped on the body and under outer jaw with "129". I'm excited to get it disassembled and cleaned to see if there are any other marks. It opens and closes very smoothly.

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[ed4banger]

.....

 

[GalaxyRat]

The swivel base teeth wear you see is almost always there on these model vises. Overall the swivel base design is actually poor, and the fact that RI abandoned this design shows that. Tightening the swivel lock on these pushes vise body from base, not pulls them together. Congrats!

The main bolt for the base wasn't tightened all the way and I noticed it wanted to separate when I was fiddling with it. I'm still happy, even if it has an outdated quirk. Thanks for the info! I was really thinking someone has just cranked on it over the years.

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[GalaxyRat]

Here is the Rock Island made Craftsman 5212 in its final form. From what I could find online, it seems to be a rebranded No. 73 vise. No other markings were found besides the "129" and an "X". I figure date of manufacture is January 1929. ***Edit- Found "1933" stamped on top of the slide***

It had been around a welder at some point in its life and the weldor decided to permanently affix it to something. I ground down the leftover beads and it turned out pretty decent. The pictures are below, let me know what you guys think! That Rock Island snippet is from the 1929 catalogue.

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[FishSkiPaddle]

Could someone explain the difference between a 506-51800 and a 506-51801? They both are 3 1/2" and MADE IN U.S.A. Thanks for all the info in this thread!

 

[fullthrottle24]

Without looking at years, it could be one with a swivel base and one without.

 

[drivesitfar]

That’s what I was thinking too but I don’t numbering of craftsman vises after 1960 by memory.

 

[FishSkiPaddle]

Thanks for your quick response! They both have swivel bases. The first photo is 51800 and the second is 51801. Sorry, those are the only photos available.

 

[drivesitfar]

Maybe left factory different years?

 

[Outlawmws]

506 is Columbian, and Columbian at the time was the biggest vise Mfg in the world - I'd guess, since it was outside the normal model/catalog # range, its two different factories or foundries.

 

[SquareWave]

I picked this up recently. From the catalogs on the first page it would seem this vise is from 48-56??

Does anyone know the manufacturer?

The numbers stamped on it don't exactly line up with the numbers in the catalog.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

I picked this up recently. From the catalogs on the first page it would seem this vise is from 48-56??

Does anyone know the manufacturer?

The numbers stamped on it don't exactly line up with the numbers in the catalog.

@SquareWave that is a beautiful 05197!! Your date will be stamped on top of the slide just behind that "anvil" section when the vise is closed. Once you get the date please post it on the 5197/98 registry thread in my signature. You are now part of a very elite club of ownership.

 

[SquareWave]

Got this for my dads shop. He desperately needs an upgrade from the imported garbage currently on his bench.
This vise will get the full restoration. Does anyone have a close to original paint code?

 

[MontyHaul]

Very helpful info on everything I've read so far. Dug out my Great Uncles (Reed) Craftsman No. 5183 machinist vise this weekend as she's been in storage for the past 15 yrs, to sharpen the blade on our vintage Huffy Electric Lawnmower. Still have not brushed her off since my Uncle past back in early '83. Just built our new 25x42x14 shop and she's going to get mounted on a new shop table. I wrote a poem about my memories as a kid in my Uncles barn in Texas which I'll post. Hope the photos prove useful to other's. Thanks again for a great site and useful info.