Rock Island Vise

[Turfbassert]

I have a Rock Island Vise 504 A. It is in good condition and I would like to put it to work. My only problem is the screws that hold on the Jaw pads. They were damage during the removal process. Now they need to be replaced. The threads are 1/4-20 but the angle from the top of the head to the start of threads is sharperm (60 Degree) than most common anlgled machine screws. The total length of the screw is 1/2 inch. 3/16 of it is the head top to the start of pitch. Any one know how to source 4 screws like this.

 

[drivesitfar]

I don't think they are available to buy, but i know you are not the first person to have that issue. I've heard some make that angle that the old screws had on their grinder and the handier ones on their lathes.

i have a 80 year old machinist friend that drilled my jaws so regular screws would work on my Rock Island 577, but he said it was the hardest steel he ever drilled on those 80 year old jaws.

you might want to put this post over on the Vise Repair 101 thread and see if someone sees it over there so you'll get an answer. the link is in my signature if you would like to.

good luck

 

[exmaxima1]

I have a Rock Island Vise 504 A. It is in good condition and I would like to put it to work. My only problem is the screws that hold on the Jaw pads.

I recently made some for one of my vises and while I used a lathe in the past, I found it is way faster and easier to do it on a grinder.

Get screws longer than you need so you can chuck them into a drill and have working clearance. Run the drill slowly as you shape the screw head on the grinder. I use a belt grinder, but a wheel would probably be as good. Check fit, and trim the screw to length.

 

[jakemac]

The link below is a set of screws for a Columbian made Craftsman vise. They are 1/4-20 thread and 5/8" long OA. Ground down in length they should meet your needs. The only thing I don't like about them is that they are hex sockets. I would cut a screwdriver slot in the heads before installing them so that you can get them out without stripping the hex socket.

http://www.ereplacementparts.com/screw-4pk-p-1016744.html

 

[oldldh]

New jaws with attaching hardware are available from---Kevin Scott at---

www.wiltonviseparts.net or www.benchvisejaws.com

Kevin may be able to help you source screws for your vise, if he doesn't have new jaws...

 

[shanny19]

New jaws with attaching hardware are available from---Kevin Scott at---

www.wiltonviseparts.net or www.benchvisejaws.com

Kevin may be able to help you source screws for your vise, if he doesn't have new jaws...

The LAST thing you want for your Rock Island is new jaws. The Russians would have won the cold war if they had Rock Island vise jaws.

 

[EOC_Jason]

You can also find screws like that at: http://www.viseparts.com/

 

[exmaxima1]

The link below is a set of screws for a Columbian made Craftsman vise.
http://www.ereplacementparts.com/screw-4pk-p-1016744.html

Did you notice that the 4 screws do not match. How do you know which screws they ship you??

 

[jakemac]

I forgot to note, the first screw in the picture is wrong. The other 3 are correct. How do I know ? Simple, I checked the package sitting in my shop from when I ordered them last year to replace some screws with stripped heads.