Rock Island 573 Vice

[geo_pim]

Hello All

new to the forum, I found you when I was looking for vice parts.
I'm hoping you can help me
I have an old Rock Island Vise Model 573 that was my Dad's it broke back in the early 70's but I would not throw it away.

I'm looking for the spindle nut or a spindle nut that will fit the threads, I'll fit the new spindle nut to the vise.
has anyone restored a rock island vise?


thank you

geo_pim

 

[bczygan]

Welcome to GJ!

 

[G-ManBart]

Welcome to GJ!

Thanks for not throwing away that old Rock Island! They are built like a tank...extremely high quality.

I would PM KMScott here to see if he has any parts. I recall an older thread where I think he bought a 573 parts vise. If not, he may know the specs since he does all sorts of vise repairs.

 

[geo_pim]

So I contacted a local Machine shop and the machinist said he could make me a spindle nut for a fairly decent price, I’m going to take him the vise on Monday and let him check it out.
If he can make me a spindle nut for under $100.00 I’d say it’s worth it to be able to pass to my Son his Grandpa’s vise

 

[Will561]

Post the your original question to "Vintage Tools" here on GJ. Good luck and post a picture of the vice there too!!!

 

[va.grouseman]

Geo, welcome and you should check out (The Vises Of Garage Journal) thread also.---Many many vises on that thread.

 

[CNGsaves]

+1 for WELCOME to GJ. There have been some Rock Island vises here, but not as popular as say Wilton, Reed, Columbian, etc.

KM Scott is guru at making parts for vises and has slew of vises. OP if you can't find what you need, be sure to PM him.

HINT for finding stuff on GJ . . . . use Google.

Google >>>> Rock Island vise site:garagejournal.com

 

[geo_pim]

I lucked out and found that I know a guy who knows a guy that's an admitted hoarder, after spending 4 hours looking through the corner of his shed that he keeps machine parts I found a spindle nut that fit the threads on the Rock Island.
It cost me 3 boxes of .223 ammo.
While I was there I came across a Littlestown 144 vise and a Wilton 930 vice that he said we can talk about doing some kind of trade for.
Gonna work on the Rock Island next weekend, decided not to strip it and repaint it.
I'm going to clean it, lube it, and use it. if it looked good enough for my Dad it's good enough for me.