Craftsman 51854 Vise

[damon18]

This is my first post, been lurking and reading lots of different subjects, great forum!

I came here because I'm finally trying to convert my normal suburban 20x20 two car garage into a place fit to work on my 67 Camaro and park my driver rather than a place to store the Camaro and lots and lots of **** that accumulates where I should be able to park another car.

At one point I was reading the very long "Vises of Garage Journal" thread, very interesting, had no idea there was such variety and history to the bench vise.

So then during my garage cleanup I rediscovered a brand new in the box Craftsman vise I purchased in 2007. When I searched for the model number here I found two threads, one from 2012
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=149205&highlight=51854

and the other from last year.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=353353&highlight=51854

So to contribute a little back, I've scanned the manual and taken some pictures of the vise and box. I had to make them really small because of the upload restrictions, but hopefully they are usable and will help out in another ten years when the next guy comes here asking about a Craftsman 51854.

One question, curious about the underlined 9 at the beginning of the model number on the box. Mean anything?

From reading those other two threads I've got the idea that this vise is kind of a piece of ****, but still maybe good enough for my use. I do have another really old Craftsman vise (about the same size) that belonged to my Father (and maybe his Fathers, not sure) but it's really beat up and the swivel base won't clamp firmly any more.

 

[Vantastic]

That is a good vise. I would love to find one brand new in the box. Mount it and it will serve you well.

 

[damon18]

That is a good vise. I would love to find one brand new in the box. Mount it and it will serve you well.

Thanks Vantastic, first I have to build a bench to mount it on! That's in progress now that I can see most of the floor.

 

[vitamindimo]

...hopefully they are usable and will help out in another ten years when the next guy comes here asking about a Craftsman 51854.

Hey I'm the 'next guy' and this was helpful. Thanks!!

 

[BTL-A4]

I have the exact same vise and it has served me well.

I think the underlined 9 is just a Sears thing. Probably some sort of internal code. I'm sure someone will chime in.

 

[RiglerTKE]

Sorry to bring this from the dead but I have a Craftsman 51854 vise that needs replacement jaws. Most of my searches had links to this forum so I figure you are the experts.

I cannot find a set specific to this vise. Are there replacement jaws available?

 

[BTL-A4]

Sorry to bring this from the dead but I have a Craftsman 51854 vise that needs replacement jaws. Most of my searches had links to this forum so I figure you are the experts.

I cannot find a set specific to this vise. Are there replacement jaws available?

Measure them and see if there are aftermarket ones. The center-to-center distance between the holes is important. I made some softer jaws out of aluminum with my milling machine. You could also make some jaw covers out of angle iron and use magnets to hold them on.

You might also want to consider getting some soft jaws that fit over the jaws instead of replacing them.

 

[dscheidt]

I have the exact same vise and it has served me well.

I think the underlined 9 is just a Sears thing. Probably some sort of internal code. I'm sure someone will chime in.

It makes it easier to distinguish 6 and 9 from each other when setting up a stamp or mold letter block. And when reusing a stamp it makes it easy to get it the right way up.

 

[ohhimark]

I've been told 9 is the department number for sears, the following digits are the part number. It looks like the vise has only the 5 digits cast on it, while the box has all the numbers. I would also be happy to find that vise, new and unopened in my garage.

 

[RiglerTKE]

Measure them and see if there are aftermarket ones. The center-to-center distance between the holes is important. I made some softer jaws out of aluminum with my milling machine. You could also make some jaw covers out of angle iron and use magnets to hold them on.

You might also want to consider getting some soft jaws that fit over the jaws instead of replacing them.

Thank you for your reply. They are the original. I bought the vice new. The holes are 2.5" on center. I don't use it often but when I do, it is usually a to hold a car or mower part.

I don't have the setup (or knowledge) to make them. I am looking to buy some. Do you know how to get a set that are quality?

 

[WMichelsen]

I just did a web search for "Craftsman 51854 jaw inserts", and got 2 reasonable hits:
(edit: false alarm. sites list 51861 vise, not 51854. but dimensions look possible.)

https://www.fix.com/parts/vise/craftsman/fix10225734/jaw-faces-4-1-2-87001s41

https://www.ereplacementparts.com/jaw-faces-p-1016742.html

Searching "8700s141 jaw inserts" might also bring results.
When trying to find replacement jaws for an old Taskmaster 6" I have, it was really difficult. There's seemingly no real standard for jaw dimensions and hole locations. And few sources.

BTW, it appears -possible- Wilton 676 inserts (11128) -might- have the correct hole locations. C-C is 2.5", offset is 3/16" (as far as I can tell). What is the hole offset of the Craftsman 51854? Sure, the Wilton's are 6". But, if the holes match, you could cut off the ends.

 

[Rinspeed]

I don't have the setup (or knowledge) to make them. I am looking to buy some. Do you know how to get a set that are quality?

I know a guy that does that kind of thing and his work is very high quality. Send me a PM and I'll get you contact info.

 

[KMScott]

Look up autopts on eBay. He should have a set in stock.

 

[Shiftless]

Look up autopts on eBay. He should have a set in stock.

That’s good advice.
autopts is an honest seller and has lots of vise goodies.

 

[RiglerTKE]

Thanks for all your help. I appreciate it.