Craftsman 506-51800 vise question

[Shelbylex]

Good morning.
Sorry for a short one - running to work, will post pictures within a day
Saw a old rusty vise looking for a new home. Got it for free. The handle was stuck frozen and bent. I lightly tapped it and it started spinning freely without moving the jaws. I suspect it’s the main nut.
1. Sears does not have it. Is there a similar model that uses the same nut?
2. How would you disassemble the vise without causing further damage? (Or just try to use the hammer to push the dynamic jaw out?)
3. Does anybody have a spare?
... keep wondering if is a wasted hour of driving...

 

[Maui]

I wouldn't drive an hour to pick up that vise if it was in good working condition...

 

[3baygarage]

There is a diagram of that online if you didn’t see it.

https://www.google.com/search?q=506-51800+vise&client=safari&hl=en-us&prmd=msivn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiv5u2Wk8TbAhWKCXwKHWglDRYQ_AUIEygD&biw=768&bih=922#imgrc=MZ0aMO7174Ar2M:

If a vise handle is threading out without moving the outer jaw, usually that just means the collar or clip is missing. If it’s just spinning maybe the nut or threads do have damage.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Pictures would help... But I would suspect the handle to bend like a pretzel before the main nut fails...

 

[454ragtop]

Pictures would help... But I would suspect the handle to bend like a pretzel before the main nut fails...

Think I saw pics of it on CL, handle was bent like a pretzel...…..

 

[Shelbylex]

454ragtop, yes, that’s the one. For some stupid reason I felt really bad for it and decided to save it. PO is a nice guy and was not aware of the nut issue as he never used it.
I hoped for straight forward rust issues. I never restored a vice and wanted to learn on this one.

Sorry about the pictures: my work blocks computer access to many things. Will post them once I am back from work.

 

[thehorse13]

There are tons of these vises for sale on Craigslist. You will be able to source parts from a donor.

 

[Shelbylex]

Sorry, took me forever to post the pictures - added to the first post ... Just got home.
I know, picking up this vise which had all the signs of abuse was not a smart idea - just felt pretty bad for it and decided to give it a chance...

So, when the nut is busted, what is the best way to remove the jaw to minimize the bolt damage?

The horse13, I will try to look for parts vise. Though this one looks like a parts one too
May be something will pop up cheap on CL or e-bay...

 

[bluebolt]

I have one like that, the PIN that holds the vise nut is missing and just pushes the main nut back when you try to unscrew it. So see if your vise is doing the same.

 

[thehorse13]

If you decide to keep this one, note that it's a light duty vise. Someone else learned this lesson by destroying the poor thing. I'm surprised that the handle pretzeled rather than the dynamic jaw bending. Usually you see these things with the dynamic jaw sagging when fully closed.

 

[Shelbylex]

Thank you for advise, thehorse13. It was an impulse pick up: saw something on CL, asked the owner if I can have it (we apparently know each other from before, though at first I did not realize it), then I was driving back from work late at night and decided to take an extra 40 mile detour to pick it up. The vise was sad and the price was right : )

I have couple of light vises which I use and a couple which I may use if I need something stronger.
I got an Starrett Athol 4" 50lb and Columbian 5" 60lb rotating vise (also waiting for some cleaning and restoration, though both are in great working condition)

 

[thehorse13]

lol.

If only Mrs. Horsey would let me leave such things on the kitchen floor all of my storage issues would be solved.

 

[Shelbylex]

Corridor. If it was in the kitchen, I would be already hiding in the basement where I have a small space for work...

I guess I did something good today - I did not hear about moving it since last night when I brought it : ) She even listened to me banging it with a hammer - I did a lot of very light tapping to release the rust bond of the swivel.
The swivel lock nut apparently is rusted but not shut (was frozen but moved a little with gentle taps). The swivel was frozen due to rust (a handful came out...) Will try to see if the bottom bolt will move a little and then try to unscrew the swivel lock nut (it's rounded at the bottom)

I think I will just take it slow with tapping, heating with hot water, etc. As I am not sure if I can fix it, do not want to use my last Evaporust on this one. No electrolysis either - no place in the house and there is a toy in the garage...

 

[EOC_Jason]

I have one like that, the PIN that holds the vise nut is missing and just pushes the main nut back when you try to unscrew it. So see if your vise is doing the same.

^^^ That is a distinct possibility...

If the slide is rusted in-place, just prop it vertical and squirt some penetrating oil to work its way in. Re-apply once a day for a few days...

Secure the vise down, then you can either try to pry something between the jaws, very carefully... Or use a block of wood & hammer on the back of the slide and again be careful and just give some taps to see if you can get anything to move.

 

[Shelbylex]

Thank you, EOC Jason. That's a great idea. I have some silicone lubricant spray and WD40 - will start doing it tonight.
I think whoever tried to open the vise first might have tried to pry the jaws open before - if you look at the second and third images there is more space on one side...

Human mind is an interesting thing: the two bigger vises in working condition I bought for $10 each and did not spend as much time (though both should clean up beautifully). However, I am really trying hard to fix the free vise in much worse condition. Easy ways are not always the most interesting : )

Guys, I really appreciate all your help even if I do not answer every one immediately! (3 bay garage, bluebolt, etc...). I actually got into tools after finding this web site!

I honestly would be extremely happy if it''s just a pin... However, suspect that given the bend on a handle, it's probably the vise nut...

 

[454ragtop]

Neither silicone spray nor WD40 are any good for freeing rusted parts......

 

[Shelbylex]

What should I use? (Preferably available in common stores)

 

[thehorse13]

Kroil is the best for freeing rusted up junk. PB blaster if you are in a pinch and want something from a big box store.

 

[EOC_Jason]

PB Blaster is available at most stores, I've also used Nano Penetrating Lubricant I think was at the auto parts store...

 

[Shelbylex]

Thank you for advise.
So, I did some work today and mostly took it apart. Put some lubricant on it overnight. In the morning took out my 60lb Columbian to the driveway: held one side of the the static jaw with it, created a stack of wood for the swivel side and carefully hammered a square chunk of wood all the way through (had to go slow to make sure I do not break anything...)
Now only the nut is left - looks pretty rusty. Put some lubricant from inside. If does not work, will put small amount of Evaporust inside (hopefully will be enough - do not want to bathe the vise since I discovered the cause of a problem:
No luck - the nut is busted (please see the photo)...

I will keep looking on Ebay and CL. Spoke to Sears, they do not have it (they even transferred me to Craftsman. On the funny side: one of their "specialists" even asked me if bench vise is a hand tool... You can not make this up...

Here are the semi-disassembled pictures.

If anybody has any ideas about potential replacement/fix - please let me know. May be some other model could have similar nut... For now I will try to remove the last bolt holding it together (stuck pretty well).
If we believe the chart (http://vintagemachinery.org/Craftsman/manufacturers.aspx),
this was made by a Columbian - may be will try to call them next week.
...Edit: actually - never mind - I think they were bought out by Wilton...

 

[exmaxima1]

PB Blaster is available at most stores, I've also used Nano Penetrating Lubricant I think was at the auto parts store...

I watched a penetrating oil comparison video recently and I recall that the new Liquid Wrench spray was rated best, and even better than Kroil

 

[EOC_Jason]

Thank you for advise.
So, I did some work today and mostly took it apart. Put some lubricant on it overnight. In the morning took out my 60lb Columbian to the driveway: held one side of the the static jaw with it, created a stack of wood for the swivel side and carefully hammered a square chunk of wood all the way through (had to go slow to make sure I do not break anything...)
Now only the nut is left - looks pretty rusty. Put some lubricant from inside. If does not work, will put small amount of Evaporust inside (hopefully will be enough - do not want to bathe the vise since I discovered the cause of a problem:
No luck - the nut is busted (please see the photo)...

I *believe* the bolt that holds the swivel base in also holds the main nut in place. Either way probably better to get that out & the swivel base off first.

 

[454ragtop]

It's not obvious what's wrong with the nut, is it stripped?

 

[Shelbylex]

Small update:
Removed the swivel base bolt (a friend helped with torch and a sideways prying bar (to generate more force). The bolt went through the center of swivel and base. Coming inside it was blocking the vise nut from coming out from its “rails” by physically stopping it at the edge,
.... the vise nut is stripped : (
The last things left are jaw inserts. One sits not that well(slight space between jaw and insert-please see original pics). Hopefully they are not as stuck and bolts would not break or strip) - will attempt in several days (a little busy next few days)

Will be looking for vise nut on eBay unless somebody has another idea...

 

[Shelbylex]

I have a question: how can I identify the nut thread? Does anybody have data on those vise nuts for 506-51800?
If I had this data I could either 1. Try to find parts vise with similar thread A (then it does not have to be the same model) and transfer the nut (possibly with some modification of the base) or 2. Buy 1-2 nuts and find somebody to help me weld new nuts on the old base after cutting off the top.

 

[EOC_Jason]

I believe it's an ACME thread... You will have to look up specs for them and use some calipers to measure the mainscrew thread...