Craftsman vise jaws

[jim]

Picked up a 3.5 inch Craftsman vise model # 51861 made in USA at a garage sale. Paid $3 (feels like a stole it). It is in very good condition but was thinking about replacing the jaws until I went to the Sears web site and saw the jaws go for $52.72. I almost pooped in my pants! How come so much money???? Any other info such as a manufacture date (looked but could not find one) and such and where to buy jaws would be great. Thanks Jim

 

[zkling]

Why do you want to replace the jaws if they are in very good condition? You could touch them up with a file and grinder or you can make some out of aluminum bar stock pretty easily. Also check ebay.

 

[CNGsaves]

Let's SEE that $3 vise . . . . that could be a YS score you know !!

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Please post pictures. Likely you shouldn't need to replace the jaw faces. I've used and restored many vises with worn jaw faces, and they still hold the work piece fine.

 

[Fretters]

Likely you shouldn't need to replace the jaw faces. I've used and restored many vises with worn jaw faces, and they still hold the work piece fine.

Same here. Never needed or felt the urge to replace any inserts as yet. They'd have to be truly knacked to warrant replacement, IMHO.

 

[bubinga]

Why do you want to replace the jaws if they are in very good condition? You could touch them up with a file and grinder or you can make some out of aluminum bar stock pretty easily. Also check ebay.

sometimes you can remove them and turn them upside down, and reattach.
They might sit a little proud if there was any filing done in the past on the top of the vise.
You can grind or file them down, and fit them before mounting them.

 

[jim]

Here are some pictures of my $3 garage sale vise. I like the 4 mounting holes, most have only 3 holes. Large anvil. This is the one that Sears wants $52.72 for the jaws alone. Thanks Jim

 

[bubinga]

looks great. Did you paint it, or thats the way it was?
Sorry if you already said.
No, cant flip those jaws, holes won't line up, there off set.
Tried on my 4 1/2" craftsman vise, won't work either.
was able to on my 504 Columbian , but l was only able to get one jaw out.
Got this one for $5.00
needs paint.

 

[Fretters]

I'd have no problem keeping those inserts personally. Well worn inserts are almost a blessing, IMHO. They'll inflict less marking on pieces you're holding in the vice.

 

[CNGsaves]

OP . . . Wow, you did great for your $3 vise . . . YOU **** !!!

Also interested in any solution you find as I've got larger Craftsman vise I bought on CL that has wrong jaw inserts.

 

[jim]

That is original paint as you can see by the scratches on top near the jaws. Was thinking of repainting it to a color i like but might keep it original. 2 of the screws that hold the jaws in were kind of mangled so i went to a "real" hardware store that has rows and rows of nuts and bolts but they did not have any screws that matched as the original ones have a long and tapered head. Must be a vise only thing. Does anyone know how old it is? I am REALLY EXCITED that this is my first YOU ****. Jim

 

[scooternut]

For one of my vintage Craftsman vises, I bought a stick of dimensional aluminum from mcmaster carr and made excellent soft jaws to replace the junked up originals. Love this.

 

[jim]

Anyone know how old the gray Craftsman 51861 vise is in the pictures above? Can not find a date stamp on it anywhere unless I missed it. Thanks Jim

 

[scooternut]

I cannot identify the date, but it does appear to be a later model. Use the following link to see the vintage craftsman stuff in the original catalog pages, much credit to Outlawmws for the work
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=149519

 

[jakemac]

Anyone know how old the gray Craftsman 51861 vise is in the pictures above? Can not find a date stamp on it anywhere unless I missed it. Thanks Jim

Based on the 5-1/2" I bought in the late 80's, I'd say yours was built sometime in the 90's. Maybe mid to late.

 

[drtrech]

That looks to be identical to the one I have mounted on my bench (although mine has much less wear.
I believe I purchased mine around 1991.