Craftsman 5162 Age?

[Retroman]

Restoring my boss's recently deceased FIL's Craftsman 5162 vise he is trying to get an idea on how old it is. Stamped on the inside of both jaw's and underneath on the bottom of the slide is "10 87" Am I to assume that is a production date? Does anybody know the years the 5162 was made? I believe these were made by Rock Island. When did Rock Island cease production. Thanks for the help.

 

[Rileysan]

Restoring my boss's recently deceased FIL's Craftsman 5162 vise he is trying to get an idea on how old it is. Stamped on the inside of both jaw's and underneath on the bottom of the slide is "10 87" Am I to assume that is a production date? Does anybody know the years the 5162 was made? I believe these were made by Rock Island. When did Rock Island cease production. Thanks for the help.

It probably reads 10 37, as in 1937. These were in production throughout the 1930s to about 1942.
Brian

 

[Retroman]

No it is definitely 1087 and stamped not cast.

 

[wrenchguy]

photos.

 

[Retroman]

I am not sure how to use tiny pics I believe that is the only hosting site you can use on GJ correct?

 

[454ragtop]

Use the "go advanced" button on the bottom of the page, then "manage attachments" and download your pics directly to GJ.

 

[Retroman]

Here are the pics showing the stamped "date"

 

[Retroman]

Thanks Ragtop!!!

 

[wrenchguy]

lets see it b4 u took apart. i believe those r matched parts numbers.

 

[Retroman]

OK, parts numbers for fitting and assembly that makes sense.

 

[MayerMR]

OK, parts numbers for fitting and assembly that makes sense.

Probably from the 30's, but that's really nice vise in original condition. I might suggest you just clean it with simple green or some other mild degreaser and then coat it with BLO (boiled linseed oil) to bring out the original paint.

 

[Shiftless]

Probably from the 30's, but that's really nice vise in original condition. I might suggest you just clean it with simple green or some other mild degreaser and then coat it with BLO (boiled linseed oil) to bring out the original paint.

I share that opinion and also the suggestion to just clean it up and coat with BLO.

That vise is in exceptionally nice condition and deserves to show that off and not be covered in fresh paint.

Will that be a keeper or will it be for sale?

 

[Retroman]

Probably from the 30's, but that's really nice vise in original condition. I might suggest you just clean it with simple green or some other mild degreaser and then coat it with BLO (boiled linseed oil) to bring out the original paint.

Ya, I wish I had posted it earlier I have already started stripping it. Is there a consensus on what the original color was ?

 

[Retroman]

I share that opinion and also the suggestion to just clean it up and coat with BLO.

That vise is in exceptionally nice condition and deserves to show that off and not be covered in fresh paint.

Will that be a keeper or will it be for sale?

Neither, it is my boss's recently deceased Father in Law's so it will go to his new house he is building in Flagstaff AZ where the mother in Law will be living with him and his wife. My boss knows I am a vise guy as I gave him a small bullet for his office after a recent expansion. He asked me to clean it up and paint it but we still don't have a color any ideas?

 

[MayerMR]

Neither, it is my boss's recently deceased Father in Law's so it will go to his new house he is building in Flagstaff AZ where the mother in Law will be living with him and his wife. My boss knows I am a vise guy as I gave him a small bullet for his office after a recent expansion. He asked me to clean it up and paint it but we still don't have a color any ideas?

I believe they came in a gunship grey color with white lettering, which that one appears to have been. But I've also seen them with a dark blue coloring, but I can't recall what the lettering was colored.

Nice thing of you to do there.

 

[wrenchguy]

original gray 1 i have. click to enlarge images.


original blue 1 i have.


date stamp on top of slide of the gray 1.

 

[wrenchguy]

I believe they came in a gunship grey color with white lettering, which that one appears to have been. But I've also seen them with a dark blue coloring, but I can't recall what the lettering was colored.

Nice thing of you to do there.

gunship? maybe u got ur ships mixed up? maybe ur old like me and served where we seen gunships everyday?

 

[drivesitfar]

Wrench: while I also like your old Craftsmans they were made by REED and not Rock Island.

RM: your Rock Island made 5162 was probably the same colors as Wrench's Reeds cause those were Craftsman's colors, but since you've got it stripped you might want to put on a couple light coats of BLO and see how your friend likes his vise NAKED cause I sure like them that way. here's my Reed 4c still waiting for me to find a spot for it and make a stand that was sandblasted and had 2 coats of BLO put on it over 4 years ago now and all it's needed was a simple green cleaning to wipe off shop dust and it's still not rusting.

also found some pics of a 5162 I think I still own that might be grey under all the surface rust.

ALL: Rock Island made vises for Craftsman before WWII and probably late 20's and 30's is the range and with the long C on their sides. I'm pretty sure Rock Island made the 519x's before they closed their doors for good in 1957.

 

[MayerMR]

original blue 1 i have.

Wrench,

I'm gonna need you to send me that vise! Beautiful!

gunship? maybe u got ur ships mixed up? maybe ur old like me and served where we seen gunships everyday?

Not too old, but I was a USMC officer - during our training in Quantico we had to go stay a night on one of the ships. It wasn't a gunship, but I can tell you one thing after that - it's a damn good thing I didn't join the Navy or get put on a float (deployment via Navy vessel) because I am *not* equipped for ship life. Never knew I was semi-claustrophobic until that night. But I digress - dem ships was grey haha!

 

[wrenchguy]

Wrench: while I also like your old Craftsmans they were made by REED and not Rock Island.

sorry drive, i was posting for color help. "my" what i consider original rock island craftsmans are black. (can't find photos)

 

[454ragtop]

IMO, paint it whatever color you like, it's not a matching number Corvette. Not a big deal to blow it apart and paint it a different color down the road if you desire.....

 

[Retroman]

He told me today he wants it painted Craftsman red. Anybody have a match?

 

[drivesitfar]

RM: you might also want to put that question up over on the Vise Repair 101 thread and the big vise thread with a picture of your vise if you have one to post. I don't paint my vises so i don't have an answer for you, but for a couple years the guys on the big vise thread LOVED ARREST ME RED so one of those should have a brand and color to mention.

good luck

Wrench: no worries and i'll never tell anybody not to post pictures of their cool vises and just wanted the members looking at the thread that didn't see any pictures of the Rock Island Craftsman to think yours was one of them. I like the reed Craftsman vises a lot and yours are in pretty good shape for their age.

 

[Shiftless]

I believe they came in a gunship grey color with white lettering, which that one appears to have been. But I've also seen them with a dark blue coloring, but I can't recall what the lettering was colored.

Nice thing of you to do there.

I can’t recall ANY vises with highlighted lettering from the factory. Did I forget something?

It looks cool most of the time and I have highlighted lettering on several of my vises.

 

[wrenchguy]

I can’t recall ANY vises with highlighted lettering from the factory. Did I forget something?

It looks cool most of the time and I have highlighted lettering on several of my vises.

i believe my 5186 is original highlighted lettering, even when i posted the find years back. double click on photo should enlarge it to the max.

 

[Maui]

You can figure out the date by looking in the right area on your vise. If it's like my 5163 which was built by Rock Island, you should be able to see a three or 4 digit stamp mark on the lower right hand side of the dynamic jaw tower as you face the vise. You can see "634" stamped on mine in the first photo in this link:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=392284&highlight=maui+5163

You may have to enlarge the photo to see it clearly. Mine was manufactured in June of 1934.

Maui

 

[LB-1911]

He told me today he wants it painted Craftsman red. Anybody have a match?

Several Reds are "close", Previous thread that should prove informative -
Craftsman Red paint match

 

[454ragtop]

I can’t recall ANY vises with highlighted lettering from the factory. Did I forget something?

It looks cool most of the time and I have highlighted lettering on several of my vises.

Picked up this sweet little Prentiss at an estate sale this AM, pretty sure it's original paint with a contrasting color on the raised letters.

 

[Retroman]

You can figure out the date by looking in the right area on your vise. If it's like my 5163 which was built by Rock Island, you should be able to see a three or 4 digit stamp mark on the lower right hand side of the dynamic jaw tower as you face the vise. You can see "634" stamped on mine in the first photo in this link:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=392284&highlight=maui+5163

You may have to enlarge the photo to see it clearly. Mine was manufactured in June of 1934.

Maui

I found the stamping or casting not sure but mine is "593" so that doesn't help. I guess I will figure between 1930 to 1942 seems to be the accepted range.

 

[drivesitfar]

RC: Rock Island used to date stamp their vises on top of the dynamic slide just behind where the static jaw is when your vise is closed. any chance you can post up a few pictures of your vise? I just click on the paperclip above where we write our posts and attach thumb pics sort of like you would an email attachment and if member wants to see it full size it only takes a couple clicks.

if you can't get a good red Craftsman paint recommendation off the thread mentioned you might ask the guys over in the Craftsman toolbox or any Craftsman thread too.

sorry I can't help, but i'm getting away from painting my naked steel.

 

[Maui]

Retroman, can you post a close-up photo of that stamping? Drives, mine has no date stamp on the top of the slide. I do have other Rock Island vises that were manufactured in the 1940s and 1950 that are stamped on top of the slide. I think that there must have been a particular year where they started stamping the top of the slide, but I don't know what year it was. The earlier vises were apparently date stamped differently.

Maui

 

[UT Man]

I am going to restore a similar vise. I need some new jaws and screws. This has been in the family for awhile Great Uncle owned it from Southern Illinois.

 

[UT Man]

I am new to this site. So forgive me for any ..slow replies and the such. Good info...

 

[drivesitfar]

Ut: more than likely you’ll Ned to make or have a machinist make new jaws if yours need replacing cause old rock island vise (that’s who made your craftsman back in the late 20’s to early 40’s) have been out of business since the late 50’s.

Another option is to clean and re grease your old vise and maybe make or buy some copper or aluminum jaws for it that should give you quite a bit of holding grip.

Can you figure out how to take and post a few pics cause we all like pics? If you need help with that just ask.

 

[Shiftless]

Just for reference, here is a pic of my Craftsman 5152, the little brother of your 5162.
This vise was beautifully restored by friend and fellow GJ member Loydski29.
BTW, the color is Rustoleum classic satin navy.

 

[Brandy Wine]

Here's mine, but I'm not sure on the date. Underneath is stamped 1054. I wasn't sure if that means October 1954. Is the paint original?

 

[Grandpa's tools]

Here are the pics showing the stamped "date"

I know this post is a couple years old, but if these vises were made from 1930 to 1942 or so, is it possible that the "1087" is a date code meaning the 108th day of 1937?

 

[[email protected]]

Here are the pics showing the stamped "date"

Beautiful restore. I'm going to do mine also. I know this is an old post but if you see,may I ask the process you did to bring back to original ? Thanks in advance