Dunlap 5244 Vise-Craigslist Find

[87Pomona]

Went to checkout a Central Drill press from Craigslist. Passed on it but noticed an old Made in USA vice sitting on a table. Ask the guy if it was for sale and he said "Sure, toss me $5 and it's yours". Dont need another Vise(Have a big old Craftsman) but I wasnt going to pass it up for $5.

Anyone have an idea of the age of this Vise?

 

[gatewaysysop]

I can't help you on age, but those are nice vises, I like the art deco-ish lines and the overall shape. Still have my eye out for one if I ever find a deal. For $5, I"ll be the first to say you definitely ****. Great find!

 

[MrMark]

You are not going to believe this but I just started restoring that same model yesterday. It came with a house. I have a couple big Columbians but I was just saying to myself that this little vise is really solid and nice.

It must be pretty old. I am going to guess 60's.

This one must have come red. Sears sold them as a secondary line at one time. I wonder if Dunlap actually made the vises or was that just a trade name and someone else made them for Dunlap.

 

[87Pomona]

I would like to restore this small vise. When turning/opening the vise it spins freely for one full turn of the handle and wont move the jaws. I want to take care of the small problem and while I'm there I might aswell strip it and give it a nice red coat of paint.

 

[WWIIjeep]

It must be pretty old. I am going to guess 60's.

+1

Maybe 70s too. See below.

This one must have come red.

Or gray...

I think I got that one new in 74 or 75. 3-1/2" jaws.

I've got an older Dunlap that's red. 4" jaws and slightly different style.

Sears sold them as a secondary line at one time. I wonder if Dunlap actually made the vises or was that just a trade name and someone else made them for Dunlap.

Dunlap didn't manufacture anything. It was just another Sears brand, like Craftsman, Companion and Fulton. The Dunlap brand name is supposedly named after Tom Dunlap, who was the head hardware buyer for Sears Roebuck in the 1930s and 1940s.

Columbian made most of the Craftsman-branded vises for Sears, and perhaps they made the Dunlap-branded vises too.

 

[Outlawmws]

+1

Maybe 70s too. See below.



Or gray...




I think I got that one new in 74 or 75. 3-1/2" jaws.

I've got an older Dunlap that's red. 4" jaws and slightly different style.



Dunlap didn't manufacture anything. It was just another Sears brand, like Craftsman, Companion and Fulton. The Dunlap brand name is supposedly named after Tom Dunlap, who was the head hardware buyer for Sears Roebuck in the 1930s and 1940s.

Columbian made most of the Craftsman-branded vises for Sears, and perhaps they made the Dunlap-branded vises too.

Yep, just a Trademark for sub-Craftsman tools.

The Dunlap trademark ran from about 1950 to about 64, but was petering out all through the 60's, so your "70's" vise may have been old stock?

On the other hand, I'm not convinced all the Dunlap tools got into the catalogs, but it's hard to say definitively as I only have 49, 54,57 and 60 for hand tools of that era... I could not find that one in mine, and not every catalog even listed a Dunlap vise...

 

[WWIIjeep]

The Dunlap trademark ran from about 1950 to about 64, but was petering out all through the 60's, so your "70's" vise may have been old stock?

Maybe NOS. My memory could be off by a couple of years too. They offered a non-Craftsman 3-1/2" "utility vise" in the 1970 catalog, but the catalog art shows it as a different style than the Dunlap.

On the other hand, I'm not convinced all the Dunlap tools got into the catalogs...

Agreed.

 

[Outlawmws]

Based on the styling, and the Art Deco leanings, I'd guess at early 50's. there was a Craftsman Vise in the 54 catalog with the "U" shaped dynamic jaw slide, a similar anvil portion on the back, a pointy head on the main screw similar to that, and the swivel lock screw head was rounded like that, but substantial other differences. I'd guess same Mfg, but different level of quality...

 

[MrMark]

WWIIJeep and Outlaw:

Thanks for the info. I will be working a little on ours later today and will get a picture. It was painted a "bone" color (among other colors) BUT when cup wire wheeling it with the grinder to get it stripped it revealed the bottom layer of red paint.

This one is 3.5 inch jaw and looks almost exactly like the first one pictured BUT it does not have the riveted on plate saying "Dunlap", rather it has "Dunlap" in raised lettering as part of the casting. I believe it to be the same model no. I will check.

That is great info on the "Dunlap" trademark. It seems so "Columbianish" when stripped. And that is a good thing.

 

[MrMark]

This is the one I have, except mine has the added swivel base - notice how is doesn't have the riveted on name plate.

Would the one in the ebay link below be Older or newer than the riveted plate models? I would guess older.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dunlap-5422...ultDomain_0&hash=item460514fd23#ht_500wt_1033

These go for pretty good money on ebay.

 

[Outlawmws]

I would say cast in name oldest, glued on plate newest, and riveted plate in between. At least that's my WAG for that vise style.

 

[toomanytoyzz]

I really like the design of your Dunlap. I have a newer one which is much smaller than yours, but I still will not part with it. It came with this workbench and Toastmaster benchgrinder I got for $20 at a yard sale. I use it for holding smaller stubborn bolts and such. I put it on fleebay a few months back, but took it off before it ended. It's part of the family now.

 

[nine4gmc]

you ****, love the deco look! gotta be 50's

 

[Jim Hamilton]

I find these conversations interesting ,believe it or not, since I found a Samson 5244 in a cabinet in my garage .(previous owner I guess) I actually weighed it and wasn’t shocked. 345 pounds. Probably too heavy for my benches,Lol I have been wondering what It might be worth? Any thoughts?

 

[fourjeepin]

I find these conversations interesting ,believe it or not, since I found a Samson 5244 in a cabinet in my garage .(previous owner I guess) I actually weighed it and wasn’t shocked. 345 pounds. Probably too heavy for my benches,Lol I have been wondering what It might be worth? Any thoughts?

I’ll give $20 for it if no pictures. Shipping would have to be freight. Where are you located?