Craftsman 5162

[Myers B]

I recently picked up a Craftsman 5162 (Rock Island 573) bench vise and it is missing the centering bolt for the swivel base. Does anyone reproduce these or know of an aftermarket that will fit?

 

[wrenchr]

Ebay is your best spot to find parts.

 

[RTM]

I doubt you will find a matching part at retail. Probably can build one from a bolt and a bushing.

 

[Maui]

I purchased a Craftsman 5163 vise several years ago and it had exactly the same problem. I completely restored the vise, and in the process of doing that eventually found a replacement bolt for it. I believe that I actually purchased two center bolts for it, and may still have the second one somewhere. I will have to look. If memory serves, I believe that it took a fine pitch 7/8” thread. Does you vise look like it takes a thread of that size?

 

[Myers B]

Thanks Maui, I appreciate you checking!

Looks like a 7/8-14 thread pitch. The shoulder looks like it will need to be about 3/4" tall and 1 1/4" O.D.

It seems odd to me that so many vises have this problem. I can't imagine the center bolts shearing, so why are so many old vises missing them?

 

[RTM]

People thrash them taking the vise apart due to not having the right tool, people lose them when taking apart for cleaning. Did you find a sheared stub stuck in yours?

 

[Myers B]

No, threads looked perfect too which surprised me.

 

[Maui]

I found the spare bolt Meyers. I can confirm it is a 7/8 - 14. I bought it at Fastenal. If you have one of their stores in your area you should be able to get one there too. I think it was around $3.00 or $4.00 per bolt. I turned a brass sleeve on my lathe that went onto the bolt to act as a spacer, and it successfully took out all of the slop in the swivel base. This solution actually made the vise better and smoother than it was originally. I am impressed with the build quality of the 5163 and I'm confident that if you restore your vise, you will love it. How anyone could lose the center bolt had me scratching my head too. How the hell could you misplace a bolt that big?

 

[Myers B]

Good to know, thanks for checking!

I'll have to figure out a way to make a sleeve then, I don't have a lathe unfortunately.

 

[RTM]

you can buy bushings and sleeves at your local Ace hardware. Mine are in the bulk screw section. Get it close, thin it down with a belt sander?

I added a brass shim to my Reed 203-1/2 to tighten it up around the pivot bolt.