The VISES of Garage Journal

balane · Dec 28, 2013

I picked this 1956 Craftsman No. 5153 up from a Craig's List posting. It has 4 1/2" Jaws and opens to 8". Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm fairly certain it was manufactured by Columbian. The vise weighs in at 60 pounds.

When I first started stripping the paint I was reminded of jawbreakers we used to eat as a kid. You know, the ones with multiple colored layers. This had about five different color layers and I'm pretty sure a couple of them were house paint. Other than that it seems to have been a light user and is in terrific shape. Both the jaws and handle are very nice. It works really nicely.

The color is Rustoleum Cobalt Blue Metallic.

.

autopts · Dec 28, 2013

balane said:
I picked this 1956 Craftsman No. 5153 up from a Craig's List posting. It has 4" Jaws and opens to 8". Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm fairly certain it was manufactured by Columbian. The vise weighs in at 60 pounds.

When I first started stripping the paint I was reminded of jawbreakers we used to eat as a kid. You know, the ones with multiple colored layers. This had about five different color layers and I'm pretty sure a couple of them were house paint. Other than that it seems to have been a light user and is in terrific shape. Both the jaws and handle are very nice. It works really nicely.

The color is Rustoleum Cobalt Blue Metallic.

.

Hi Buddy
Honest to God, you keep churning them out! Another beauty. I'm sure I will be corrected if I'm wrong but I believe its a stationary Rock Island.
Speaking of Rock Island's here a No. 52 and its in decent shape.

balane · Dec 28, 2013

Oh, Rock Island. I wouldn't have guessed. That's cool, I like Rock Island vises very much.

That swivel jaw is awesome Nick, definitely a great user for somebody.

EOC_Jason · Dec 28, 2013

autopts said:
Hi Buddy
Honest to God, you keep churning them out! Another beauty. I'm sure I will be corrected if I'm wrong but I believe its a stationary Rock Island.

Yep, it's a nice one. I concur that it is a rock island... The jaws are what give it away.

KMScott · Dec 28, 2013

balane said:
I picked this 1956 Craftsman No. 5153 up from a Craig's List posting. It has 4 1/2" Jaws and opens to 8". Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm fairly certain it was manufactured by Columbian. The vise weighs in at 60 pounds.
.

Balane
I would be curious to the jaw sizes on the 5153. I just fit a new set of jaws to my Rock Island 594 and they look just like yours. Mine measured at .580 thick x 1.470 tall x 4-1/2 long. The one thing I notice about Rock Islands is that the casting cuts like cast iron not cast steel. Maybe just the one I was working on, seems like it chipped real easy. Really nice job on your restoration balane.

jrsmyd · Dec 28, 2013

I decided to buy this Bison No. 328 up from the flea market today. I got it for $75 and am completely cool with what I paid (offered $50 asking $97).

So got home took her apart, cleaned her up, used Permatex anti-seize for all the tracks, swivel base, etc., applied a coat of wax to the entire service and put her back together.

No slop in the jaws and overall is in perfect condition. Need to go get another wire wheel for my Dremmel (don't have a bench grinder yet) to finish cleaning up the bare metal on the jaws. I am happy. :pimpflash

drivesitfar · Dec 28, 2013

Even without it all shined up that vise looks great. $70 is an awesome price for a 5 inch Polish vise too. ya dun good :thumbup:

balane · Dec 28, 2013

KMScott said:
Balane
I would be curious to the jaw sizes on the 5153. I just fit a new set of jaws to my Rock Island 594 and they look just like yours. Mine measured at .580 thick x 1.470 tall x 4-1/2 long. The one thing I notice about Rock Islands is that the casting cuts like cast iron not cast steel. Maybe just the one I was working on, seems like it chipped real easy. Really nice job on your restoration balane.

Those jaws look great. These are really nice still so they look to have held up well over time but I'm not sure how hard the steel is. The jaws on this one are 4.5" wide, 1.45" tall and 0.6" thick. The notch is 0.2" deep and 0.47" tall. Hope that helps. It looks to me like your Rock Island and my Craftsman are identical. Does yours weigh ~60 pounds?

jrsmyd · Dec 28, 2013

drivesitfar said:
Even without it all shined up that vise looks great. $70 is an awesome price for a 5 inch Polish vise too. ya dun good

Thanks!

KMScott · Dec 28, 2013

balane said:
Those jaws look great. These are really nice still so they look to have held up well over time but I'm not sure how hard the steel is. The jaws on this one are 4.5" wide, 1.45" tall and 0.6" thick. The notch is 0.2" deep and 0.47" tall. Hope that helps. It looks to me like your Rock Island and my Craftsman are identical. Does yours weigh ~60 pounds?

Yes the vise weights 60 Lbs, the slot dimensions are very close too. Only difference is the width of mine are 7/16 (.440) there is a good chance they would fit. Thanks for your time.

Kevin

Mark in Indiana · Dec 28, 2013

jrsmyd said:
I decided to buy this Bison No. 328 up from the flea market today. I got it for $75 and am completely cool with what I paid (offered $50 asking $97).

So got home took her apart, cleaned her up, used Permatex anti-seize for all the tracks, swivel base, etc., applied a coat of wax to the entire service and put her back together.

No slop in the jaws and overall is in perfect condition. Need to go get another wire wheel for my Dremmel (don't have a bench grinder yet) to finish cleaning up the bare metal on the jaws. I am happy.

You got a deal! :beer:

893cv · Dec 28, 2013

Nice FPU, I have a 328 and a 4in. They are great tools.

jrsmyd · Dec 28, 2013

Mark in Indiana said:
You got a deal!

I think so! :beer:

893cv said:
Nice FPU, I have a 328 and a 4in. They are great tools.

Thanks! Looking forward to a lifetime of use with it. :beer:

whitechevy · Dec 28, 2013

1st post. I rebuilt this one about six months ago. The vise was free. I built the stand and it has become much more useable on the stand than on the bench.

jakemac · Dec 29, 2013

Welcome to GJ.

That's one heck of a way to introduce yourself ! Nice job ! :thumbup:

drivesitfar · Dec 29, 2013

Chevy,
very nice restore of that old Prentiss. i'm guessing you might have gotten it free because the swivel is welded now? other that that it looks like a very clean vise for an 80 year old one. You certainly don't need a swivel with the stand you built for it. it looks like it might drive off and be one of the faster vises ever on this thread.

I really like the power station attached to your stand too.

bluebolt · Dec 29, 2013

balane said:
I picked this 1956 Craftsman No. 5153 up from a Craig's List posting. It has 4 1/2" Jaws and opens to 8". Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm fairly certain it was manufactured by Columbian. The vise weighs in at 60 pounds.

When I first started stripping the paint I was reminded of jawbreakers we used to eat as a kid. You know, the ones with multiple colored layers. This had about five different color layers and I'm pretty sure a couple of them were house paint. Other than that it seems to have been a light user and is in terrific shape. Both the jaws and handle are very nice. It works really nicely.

The color is Rustoleum Cobalt Blue Metallic.

.

It's blue and a Craftsman you know I am going to like it!

jrsmyd · Dec 29, 2013

whitechevy said:
1st post. I rebuilt this one about six months ago. The vise was free. I built the stand and it has become much more useable on the stand than on the bench.

Wanna build me a stand? That is awesome! :bowdown:

Hpozzuoli · Dec 29, 2013

drivesitfar said:
Tool Scrounge: thanks for the molasses results. I think i'm going to grab some at the feed store and give it a try on one of the rusty ones I collected the last time it was raining vises.

PGHJKB: I think Jason knows how to do the Electrolysis, but I thank you very much for the links. i'm guessing Jason forgot more on how to do Electrolysis than most have tried, but maybe he was sicker last month than he led on.

Dismayed: glad to have another person in my area that likes vises and best of luck on the restorations

Indiana: that looks like a pretty big clamp on and nice restoration

Hpozoulli: usually Cummins makes engines so don't let that one take off on you.

Wrenchguy: do you really need another huge vise?? I was thinking of putting a picture I have saved of your vises you have on your outside bench as my screensaver.

Happy Holidays all

You got me thinking now. I did a quick google and couldn't find anything on this vise. If it is indeed CUMMINS I would be impressed but I can't verify that. the wife found it on Craigslist in upstate ny and talked the seller into shipping it. She thought it looked cool and therefore I would like it. I guess I need to know if anyone knows about this cummins vise I have.

BFBOB · Dec 29, 2013

Hpozzuoli said:
You got me thinking now. I did a quick google and couldn't find anything on this vise. If it is indeed CUMMINS I would be impressed but I can't verify that. the wife found it on Craigslist in upstate ny and talked the seller into shipping it. She thought it looked cool and therefore I would like it. I guess I need to know if anyone knows about this cummins vise I have.

Sorry to rain on your parade, but the only Cummins branded tools I have seen were the very bottom of the barrel, Harbor Freight rejects. There is (or was) a Cummins store in St. Louis - I went in full of hope, but the only resemblance between the tools and the diesel engines was the name.
I hope for your sake my information is incomplete, but that's what I know.

Bottom line, do you like the vise? Does it work for you? Was it a good price?
If so, just use it, enjoy it and try to refrain from beating on it with big hammers.

drivesitfar · Dec 29, 2013

sorry I have to agree with bfBob that the only tools I've seen with Cummins name on it was a 1/2 HP grinder I got in a deal with some other tools. since I didn't need it I put it up on Craigslist and it took about 3 weeks to sell for $30. in it's defense it did run ok and if I didn't already have a grinder I might have put it to use. also this little grinder might have been 50 years old.

just an FYI. I have seen more of this style of vise broken that still get used almost daily by their owners because the user loves them and they drill holes and find ways to hold the swivel in place. or just use it broken. the cummins you posted a picture of looks like it is in great shape and ask if he will include what looks like the matching drill press vise that is installed on the side of his workbench.

if you do end up buying it please let us know how you like it because I have not seen or heard of a vise with Cummins name on it.

Hpozzuoli · Dec 29, 2013

I kinda figured it wasn't special since I couldn't find any info on it. It works just fine for me. It is big and heavey so it has that going for it. Plus it hasn't broke yet. Thanks for the info.

EDGAR · Dec 30, 2013

There is recent thread about a Cummins vise from a first time vise buyer. His experience with it was not that good. Check his thread below.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=223989&highlight=CUMMINS

toolmaniac · Dec 30, 2013

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all,

I would like to share my collection of vises for your viewing pleasure. Please excuse the fact that they are not mounted yet, but I have given priority to finishing the house I am building, before finishing the shop. As you can see in the attachments below, I own 4 German made Peddinghaus vises (ranging from a 4.5 inch to a massive 7 inch), a vintage 1971 4" WILTON, an unmarked 6" Brasilian vise, and a vintage Ridgit pipe vise. There is no comparison to the smoothness of movement of the Wilton vise compared to the rest. With the help of this forum I will restore the Wilton to its former glory, sometime soon. ENJOY

wrenchguy · Dec 30, 2013

nice. thanks 4 posting from the old world, if that wilton could speak....

gregthor · Dec 30, 2013

Welcome to Garage Journal Toolmaniac!!
Nice collection!! I just finished a 1973 Wilton 4 1/2 inch. I will post in the next few days.
Greg

bluebolt · Dec 30, 2013

Nice vice's toolmaniac and welcome to Garage Journal!

bl00 · Dec 30, 2013

Anybody ever figure out who made these star vises? This isn't mine. I ran across it on an auction site.

ShadowRuleZ · Dec 30, 2013

bl00 said:
Anybody ever figure out who made these star vises? This isn't mine. I ran across it on an auction site.

We've got a few at work but I could never find out the manufacturer.

gregthor · Dec 30, 2013

bl00 said:
Anybody ever figure out who made these star vises? This isn't mine. I ran across it on an auction site.

back on post 7184 GJ member gabbyduffy had one of those star of david vises. You could PM him and see if we ever found the answer to who made them.

ps - page 360

tool_scrounge · Dec 30, 2013

BFBOB said:
Sorry to rain on your parade, but the only Cummins branded tools I have seen were the very bottom of the barrel, Harbor Freight rejects. There is (or was) a Cummins store in St. Louis - I went in full of hope, but the only resemblance between the tools and the diesel engines was the name.
I hope for your sake my information is incomplete, but that's what I know.

Cummins Power tools (A division of Cummins Chicago) sold power tools such as hand drills and circular saws in the 1950's & 1960's. Below is a link to their 1960 catalog (they have a bit different of a name on their catalog compared to my 1950's 1/2 " brute of a hand drill). The quality of what I have seen is reasonable - high end homeowner stuff.

http://www.woodworkinghistory.com/cummins_catalog_1960_indexed.pdf

This is a case of someone resurrecting an old American tool brand to sell cheap imported stuff.

Jammer1329 · Dec 30, 2013

Jammer1329 said:
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/
13/12/18/a6ary4y8.jpg

Picked up this old Craftsman by Reed yesterday for $60. I am guessing it is from the 1940s? Gonna paint it and probably resell. Not sure what colors to go with? Were these originally blue with yellow like the power tools with similar logo? Thanks.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

So I decided to do a "Rustoration" on the Craftsman. The patina was too cool to get rid of, plus it has a lot of scars that I didn't think would look right with fresh shiny paint. It was probably more work to leave it this way with all of the scrubbing to de-grease it.

I did paint the raised letters red. I like it, kinda has a rat rod look to it. Plus I won't feel bad actually using the thing unlike my shiny Parker and Wilton.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

bigcaddy · Dec 30, 2013

bl00 said:
Anybody ever figure out who made these star vises? This isn't mine. I ran across it on an auction site.

I thought that star was something out of PA. Something to do with Bethlehem Steel?

bl00 · Dec 30, 2013

Jammer, I like what you did with the Craftsman. It looks good. I did the same to a Prentiss, but with blue on the lettering.

autopts · Dec 31, 2013

bl00 said:
Anybody ever figure out who made these star vises? This isn't mine. I ran across it on an auction site.

Fred, I don't know if anyone answered your question. I'm 90% sure it was made by Morgan when they were in Aurora Il. It was their economy model. Happy New Year

bluebolt · Dec 31, 2013

ShadowRuleZ said:
We've got a few at work but I could never find out the manufacturer.

ShadowRuleZ is there any lettering on the other side of the vise? Does the number correspond to the jaw width? I.E. if its a 140 is it 4" jaws and if a 150 5" jaws?

bluebolt · Dec 31, 2013

autopts said:
Fred, I don't know if anyone answered your question. I'm 90% sure it was made by Morgan when they were in Aurora Il. It was their economy model. Happy New Year

I am not so sure that six pointed star vise is a Morgan. My Morgan Star is a 5 point star plus the 140 and 150 in Morgan speak are the heavy duty swivel vises not the Star's.

oldldh · Dec 31, 2013

Jammer, my boy, I'll give a "Ya Dun Gud, Bubba"--- :bowdown:

That old Craftsman will only last another century or two...

The rat rod look is coming into vogue, you're right there is the Vise Vanguard of Style!!!! :3gears:

I'm still looking for a Craftsman 5197/5198...if anybody sees one or both that need a good home---PM me with their whereabouts...

bluebolt · Dec 31, 2013

bigcaddy said:
I thought that star was something out of PA. Something to do with Bethlehem Steel?

The possibility was raised but nothing to confirm it. No one here seems to own one for closer examination.

va.grouseman · Dec 31, 2013

b100 That star may not be yours, but it aught to be. That's a good looking vise. Should've added that to the collection.

The VISES of Garage Journal

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