craftsman vise 306-51811 restoring project

[gingerdiver87]

hey guys I'm new to the site and love it. it inspired me to be on the look out for a new vise and i found one. not sure if its a good deal or not but i paid 50 bucks for it and I'm planning on restoring it back to its glory. i just love the style of this thing and can't wait to put it to some good use. i already know i need new inserts for it and was hoping someone could point me to the right directions.. thanks for looking [/URL[URL=http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/gingerdiver1987/media/IMG_6782_zpsamr4haia.jpg.html]

 

[Ponchoguy]

That's a USA made "506" (not 306) made for Sears by Columbian (part of Wilton) vise. Good deal, $50 is about right for it.

Wilton should have the parts for it. it's an older US made unit, biggest that they made back in the day.

 

[gingerdiver87]

im not sure i put 306 i new it was 506.. little typo mistake.

 

[scooternut]

Consider using dimensional aluminum or just plain mild steel. I used aluminum in my craftsman which is mounted to my primary bench, since I tend to need soft jaws more often than not, cutting and filing bolts, etc.

Sent from my E6782 using Tapatalk

 

[gingerdiver87]

i do a little bit of welding so mild steel will be the choice.. but what i found online they want 50 bucks for the new inserts. does that seem right?

 

[scooternut]

I have seen those jaws on the sears parts web site, though I've no experience with them. Wouldn't dream of it.

Restore that one and keep looking for more, they are out there.

 

[Rileysan]

i do a little bit of welding so mild steel will be the choice.. but what i found online they want 50 bucks for the new inserts. does that seem right?

$50 for a set made by a third party is a reasonable price. If you went to a fabrication shop and had them draw the inserts up and mill them (even in a CNC mill), you would pay more. If you wanted something other than mild steel or aluminum, or if you wanted the finished product heat-treated, the cost would go way up.

Brian

 

[Ponchoguy]

I have seen those jaws on the sears parts web site, though I've no experience with them. Wouldn't dream of it.

Restore that one and keep looking for more, they are out there.

Sears Parts would be getting it from the original source, who is Wilton/Columbian.

 

[1982fxr]

I thought there was a big thread a year ago that debunked the Columbian connection to this style vise (at least the early years)?

...and somewhere in the 60's Columbian became a player/owner of said manufacturer?

when did these go from US to Japan--early 60's?

 

[gingerdiver87]

thanks for the info guys.. I'm new to the vise game and wasn't aware of the cost for new inserts. haha i would have used that to talk him down a little more.. either way its alright.. fresh new paws on it isn't a bad thing

 

[Hammer1963]

Good find. A good challenging project can be very rewarding. Making or finding new jaws should not be an issue for you. I may suggest that you contact a local high school vocational program and see if they would be interested in making several sets in a variety of materials for you. Could be worth the effort and educational for the students

 

[Ponchoguy]

I thought there was a big thread a year ago that debunked the Columbian connection to this style vise (at least the early years)?

...and somewhere in the 60's Columbian became a player/owner of said manufacturer?

when did these go from US to Japan--early 60's?

The "506" prefix vises are Columbian as the OEM. The "391" units are Japan made.

 

[MPOWERD]

In my Vintage 506.51801 Colombian USA Sears (little brother to yours) vise I was lucky enough to get one with good jaw inserts... I added magnetic aluminum jaws to it for work when a softer touch is required. The magnets are embedded in the aluminum jaws and hold them in place, but still make it easy to remove them when the steel jaws are needed...

 

[gingerdiver87]

i think it turned out pretty good i live in pensacola florida and wanted to do a blue angels theme

 

[howsths]

Good job! The color scheme and the reason behind it are a nice touch.