Thanks for the add, new to the GJ, I’ve been trying to do some research on my 140lbs roackisland 97, fixed mounted, 6”jaws. The main screw was never right since I had it and it finally went, I’m trying to find a replacement acme thread if applicable. Also would love to no the history of this BIG guy. Thanks in advance
Rockisland 97
- Thread starter cfox
- Start date
Shiftless
Well-known member
Welcome to GJ.
That big Rocky has had a tough life. Look at that thread damage. I wonder what lead to THAT damage?
Have you inspected the nut? I’d be worried that the nut is also damaged.
Good luck with your repairs.
That big Rocky has had a tough life. Look at that thread damage. I wonder what lead to THAT damage?
Have you inspected the nut? I’d be worried that the nut is also damaged.
Good luck with your repairs.
Shiftless
Well-known member
Rock Island was purchased by a company called Birtman Electric way back in 1930. Many Rock Islands wear a metal Birtman Electic badge. If yours doesn’t have one or doesn’t have any marks or other evidence of the metal badge on the side of the main vise body, it dates from before 1930.
Good to no, those are the only markings on the vise
The nut has seen better days, I would love to but it back to use with as much orig al parts as I could. Without getting a acme rid of today’s age and making a new nut and so forthWelcome to GJ.
That big Rocky has had a tough life. Look at that thread damage. I wonder what lead to THAT damage?
Have you inspected the nut? I’d be worried that the nut is also damaged.
Good luck with your repairs.
Cleave
Well-known member
Looks like a great vise, the cheap way would be to weld the screw back together and carefully turn, grind, or file the overweld out....
Or buy an Acme screw and turn a meatball to go on it, may need a new nut too.
Good luck.
Or buy an Acme screw and turn a meatball to go on it, may need a new nut too.
Good luck.
Mr. Wonderful
Well-known member
+1 on this.
tool_scrounge
Well-known member
You might see if there are other more common vises out that have a compatible leadscrew and possibly nuts. In the link below, I found the Craftsman 05191 4” vise nuts to be unobtanium. But the Morgan 88 vise (still available new) had a compatible 0.84" x 4 tpi Acme thread nut that was virtually drop-in.
www.garagejournal.com
Later, I found the Morgan 88 nut fit a broken leadscrew out of a Columbian 504M vise. So for amusement sake, you might inquire if there are any other vises out there with the same thread that may have better part availablit’s.
Found: Replacement lead screw nut for vintage Craftsman 05196 / 05191 vises
Back in 2018 I ran into one of the sought after Craftsman 0519X vises. A local company was selling off some excess tools and hardware. It was not advertised, but I saw a 05191 4" fixed base vise and a 1960's Craftsman roller cabinet (with roller drawers) in the corner. So I made an offer and...
www.garagejournal.com
Later, I found the Morgan 88 nut fit a broken leadscrew out of a Columbian 504M vise. So for amusement sake, you might inquire if there are any other vises out there with the same thread that may have better part availablit’s.