Craftsman 51871 Bench Vise

[scupoli]

I have a Craftsman 51871 5 1/2” bench vise from the mid 90’s that I’m restoring. The previous owner welded the E-clip/collar to the shaft. I managed to carefully gring them off the shaft and take the whole thing apart. I have the spring and can simply use a 3/4” E-Clip from a hardware store, but can’t find a collar to replace the existing one.

The shaft outer threads are 22mm in diameter. I’m guessing it’s classified as a 3/4” shaft but the outer threads are wider. This always confused me in regards to fastener sizes.

Is it the size of the shank or inner threads that determines the size?
Knowing the ID needs to be at least 22mm, I don’t know what the OD needs to be.

Anyway, https://www.mcmaster.com/ has a ton of collars but not sure what to get.

See the attached highlighted diagram for clarity.
I appreciate any help.

 

[scupoli]

Would these work?

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

 

[1982fxr]

Might find a shim at Ace that works.

 

[scupoli]

Might find a shim at Ace that works.

Your comment helped. Sadly the only comment. But much appreciated. ACE is the place!

 

[fishwatcher]

Your comment helped. Sadly the only comment. But much appreciated. ACE is the place!

Great job on the restore!

 

[scupoli]

Great job on the restore!

Thanks! I love restoring old tools!

 

[scupoli]

Great job on the restore!

You can read the blog entry here.

 

[fishwatcher]

You can read the blog entry here.

Wow.. very cool! Love the whole metal bench set-up you have going on. I always see heavy metal tables with big, old vises available on FB Marketplace.. and can never get them because I don't have room for them.

 

[scupoli]

Wow.. very cool! Love the whole metal bench set-up you have going on. I always see heavy metal tables with big, old vises available on FB Marketplace.. and can never get them because I don't have room for them.

Thank you! It’s been a work in progress.

 

[PierceA]

The size of a threaded shaft is determined by it's outside diameter. A 22MM is about 7/8". 21mm is 13/16",
So you need a collar that will fit over the OD or outside diameter of the shaft. The outside diameter of the collar only has to be small enough to fit inside the dynamic's slide opening. Most collars of the size needed will be 3/16" or 1/4" thick, so add 1/2" to the size of the mainscrew, and that should fit inside the dynamic.

I'm not a fan of a wire 'hairpin' in a slot. I think it will pop out of the slot way too easy.
I'd take the mainscrew to a hardware or autoparts store and go through their selection of round collars that slide over the screw and are held in place with a setscrew.
If this is not available, find a hardened 'c' clip, it has much more surface area, and won't get hooked by the pressure spring pushing against it.
Pierce.

 

[scupoli]

The size of a threaded shaft is determined by it's outside diameter. A 22MM is about 7/8". 21mm is 13/16",
So you need a collar that will fit over the OD or outside diameter of the shaft. The outside diameter of the collar only has to be small enough to fit inside the dynamic's slide opening. Most collars of the size needed will be 3/16" or 1/4" thick, so add 1/2" to the size of the mainscrew, and that should fit inside the dynamic.

I'm not a fan of a wire 'hairpin' in a slot. I think it will pop out of the slot way too easy.
I'd take the mainscrew to a hardware or autoparts store and go through their selection of round collars that slide over the screw and are held in place with a setscrew.
If this is not available, find a hardened 'c' clip, it has much more surface area, and won't get hooked by the pressure spring pushing against it.
Pierce.

Thank you for this valuable information. I appreciate your support and advice!

 

[exmaxima1]

I don't quite understand why it's called a "collar". I recently sold my 51871 vise and I recall it being a thick washer. It has a smaller OD than standard washers so you would need to either grind the OD or ID on a suitable washer (or 2). The reason for the washer is because the dynamic jaw casting is so rough that the spring would not turn freely.

 

[scupoli]

I don't quite understand why it's called a "collar". I recently sold my 51871 vise and I recall it being a thick washer. It has a smaller OD than standard washers so you would need to either grind the OD or ID on a suitable washer (or 2). The reason for the washer is because the dynamic jaw casting is so rough that the spring would not turn freely.

My vise didn’t come with an original spring or collar. When I tested the shaft before putting it together the spring didn’t spin. Only the shaft , e-clip, and washer spun. The spring was stationary. I made sure and put a fair amount of grease in that area though.
When the e-clip pops out or gives up, I will put a locking pin collar instead. Meanwhile it works great.