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How Old is My Craftsman 5215 Vise?

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BevoZ06

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I bought a used Craftsman vise 40 years ago. I am sure of the date I purchased it because I had just moved into my first home. It is a Craftsman 5215. The jaws measure 3 1/2" and it has a swivel base.

It was already quite old when I bought it because I got it from a widow who was selling some of her deceased husband's tools. Can anyone tell me how old it might be, or perhaps the years this model was produced and sold?

Thanks.
 
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BevoZ06

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SweetD said:
A picture is worth a thousand words for this type of question!

Dave
Click to expand...

But, Dave, I already know what it looks like. I want to know how old it is. :)

Just kidding, of course. Here are some photos that may help in estimating its age.
 

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Outlawmws

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I looked through all the Craftsman Catalogs I had access to from the thirties to 1973 and none of them had a 52XX series of vise, all were 51XX...

Several somewhat resembled that design, but they were either branded Dunlap, "Not Craftsman" (Japan) or no name vises.

Are you sure about this being 40 years ago?
 
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lbgradwell

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I think you're looking at the 1930s for that vise. There were 52XX-series vises in the 1940, 1941 & 1942 catalogues, but no 5215...
 
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BevoZ06

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Outlawmws said:
I looked through all the Craftsman Catalogs I had access to from the thirties to 1973 and none of them had a 52XX series of vise, all were 51XX...

Several somewhat resembled that design, but they were either branded Dunlap, "Not Craftsman" (Japan) or no name vises.

Are you sure about this being 40 years ago?[/QUOTE]

I bought it in April 1971 and it was old and well-used at that time.
Click to expand...
 
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Outlawmws

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lbgradwell said:
I think you're looking at the 1930s for that vise. There were 52XX-series vises in the 1940, 1941 & 1942 catalogues, but no 5215...
Click to expand...

Do you happen to have PDF's of those hand tool catalogs? I have the power tools of those years, no hand tools. :dunno:
 
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Outlawmws

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Would you mind Emailing me the '42 hand tools file? I'd appreciate it.

I looked in the 37-39 power tool catalogs, those did have machinists vises, but those years had the "Long C" underline logo, and his vise does not, so I'd suspect not that era.

1933 did have a similar design w/smaller 3" jaw, but with the long C logo straight.
 
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Outlawmws

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Pic from the '33 catalog, this one also has pipe jaws his lacks...


attachment.php
 

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