Bench vise jaw screws

[Gambrinus]

Ok I've googled this till I can't stand it anymore. I was given a Craftsman 51871 bench vise. It came with everything but the screws to attach the jaw plates. Does anyone know the size screws that will work? I know I can order them but I'd rather hit the hardware store and be done with it. Thanks in advance.

Sent from my LG-D850 using Tapatalk

 

[Farmall450]

Maybe just take the dynamic slide in with you?

 

[KMScott]

If the vise is built in USA then the threads are either 1/4:20 or 5/16:18. The screws might be a 60 degree included angle and that is harder to find. I did not see a picture of your jaws. The Columbian website http://www.viseparts.com/ has not been up for a while and they used to carry the special screws.

 

[1982fxr]

yes take slide with you. will probably have to grind to size as most jaw insert screws are smaller than normal head size.

try wiltonereplacementparts---may be under utility vises? That's a Columbian

 

[scooternut]

MY 518.... 's are the older USA ones without the big "5" on them, but I'd venture to guess that they are the same.

I made my own from 1/4 20 screws just using pliers and a belt grinder. Some have suggested placing the screw in a drill (like a lathe) and spinning it against the grinder. I just turned them myself with pliers. Easy enough to do. The shiny ones I made, the crappy looking one came out of the vise, the full screw is what I started with.

View media item 49404

 

[crguy]

Ok I've googled this till I can't stand it anymore. I was given a Craftsman 51871 bench vise. It came with everything but the screws to attach the jaw plates. Does anyone know the size screws that will work? I know I can order them but I'd rather hit the hardware store and be done with it. Thanks in advance.

Sent from my LG-D850 using Tapatalk

This is an opportunity for you to learn how to measure thread sizes.

 

[jim]

Went to the best hardware store in the area that has rows of every nut, bolt and screw that you could think of, but nothing that would match the screws for my vice. The manager in that department could not be leave they did not have any. Jim

 

[Provincial]

My Columbian 3050 vise from the mid-1980's has Metric jaw screws. 8mm course, if I recall correctly. Be sure to try metric screws.

I still had to turn down the heads of fillister head screws because they were a non-standard size. Still straight sides, not tapered.

 

[Farmall450]

MY 518.... 's are the older USA ones without the big "5" on them, but I'd venture to guess that they are the same.

I made my own from 1/4 20 screws just using pliers and a belt grinder. Some have suggested placing the screw in a drill (like a lathe) and spinning it against the grinder. I just turned them myself with pliers. Easy enough to do. The shiny ones I made, the crappy looking one came out of the vise, the full screw is what I started with.

I did the same thing, with a drill and bench grinder.

 

[Gambrinus]

Thanks for the lead on thread size and all the help. Now to grind the heads down to fit

Sent from my LG-D850 using Tapatalk