Craftsman 5154 Vise

[Poseidon89]

Hello all!

New to the forum, and looking for any input or information folks might have on a Craftsman 5154 fixed base bench vise. I picked this up from a retired machinist in the area for $50, and I'm starting to think it was a steal. Its in great condition, especially after I took the wire wheel too it and cleaned it up. Weighs about 80lbs, has 5" jaws, and from all the pics I have reviewed online, this seems to be a clone of the Rock Island 590's series vises (maybe a 594 or 595?). The handle says "Model 05198"

Seems to be a somewhat rare vise. Not much info out there that I can find.

Any input is welcome - estimated year of manufacture, who made them and where, quality, etc.

Thank you!

 

[tool_scrounge]

It has a later Craftsman 05198 vise lead screw. Here is the what the correct lead screw + handle looks like.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1962704&postcount=3334

 

[ed4banger]

Yeah, what tool scrounge said, incorrect main screw. $50 is a steal. Date may be visable on top of slide, should fall into the '39 to '44 range, here is mine with correct spindle. Should share parts with the RI 575/595. Can I see a picture of the spindle nut please?

 

[Poseidon89]

Ah, okay. That’s a shame, I’m kind of bummed that it’s got the wrong screw. I never would have known, it fits perfectly.

Unfortunately I don’t have pics of the spindle nut outside of the vise, but I attached a few that give a decent view of it. Not sure if they’ll give the info you need.

Yours look amazing. Love the gray/black.

 

[PierceA]

I'd not be bummed, a look around, you'll find a proper mainscrew for your vise. And you should be able to sell the one you have quite easily.
You did a nice job of getting rid of the red paint and cleaning up the vise. it looks very nice now.
PierceA

 

[Shiftless]

I'd not be bummed, a look around, you'll find a proper mainscrew for your vise. And you should be able to sell the one you have quite easily.
You did a nice job of getting rid of the red paint and cleaning up the vise. it looks very nice now.
PierceA

I agree with PierceA 100%
Amongst Craftsman vise collectors, the 5198 is considered by many as the holy grail.
I feel lucky that I obtained a 5197.

 

[ed4banger]

Ah, okay. That’s a shame, I’m kind of bummed that it’s got the wrong screw. I never would have known, it fits perfectly.

Unfortunately I don’t have pics of the spindle nut outside of the vise, but I attached a few that give a decent view of it. Not sure if they’ll give the info you need.

Yours look amazing. Love the gray/black.

I agree with what others have said, that spindle has value, easily much more than the $50 you spent on the whole vise. Thanks for the pics, they do show me what I wanted to see, and that is the nut is not from a 5198, therefore it would appear we have yet another interchangeable part between an RI vise and the 5198. Convinced now more than ever that RI made the 519x vises


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Shiftless]

Excellent point, ed !

 

[drivesitfar]

Posi: first off Welcome to GJ!!

Secondly you’ve found a very unique vise so keep it until you figure out what it really is.

Thank for all the pics!!

Ed: I agree that Rock Island made the 519x’s and this is just another piece to solving that mystery.

 

[Poseidon89]

Thanks everyone! Appreciate the info and the words of encouragement.

I'm glad I posted this. There was a whole lot more to this story than I had imagined. Its like a Pandora's box. Now I'm not sure what to do - keep the vise and sell the spindle, sell both, or keep all of it...

I was able to find the date on the slide: July 1939. Almost 82 years old.

You know your stuff Ed, spot on with the date range!

 

[Poseidon89]

Also, some pics of the final product!

 

[drivesitfar]

interesting vise that is for certain. how did you do the swirls on the back of the slide?

 

[jimmyin3D]

I’ve seen the same swirl patterns it’s from the machining of it I think.

OP where did you get the jaws for it?

 

[Poseidon89]

I’ve seen the same swirl patterns it’s from the machining of it I think.

OP where did you get the jaws for it?

Yeah that's right, the swirls were from the machining and appeared after I took the wire brush to it and cleaned off the rust.

The jaws came with it from the guy who I bought it from. One of them had no screws, so I had to buy some 5/16" x 1 1/2" and grind/shape them to fit into the tapered holes.