Photo Index - Sears | Craftsman - Model 05191 Machinists Vise

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Sears | Craftsman
Chicago, IL

True Manufacturer:
Rock Island Manufacturing Co., Rock Island, IL

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Metal Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Other
Machine Size:	4 inch - 48 pounds
Submitted By:	Curtis Garrett

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Model 05191 Machinists Vise
Date of Manufacturer:	1957
Serial Number:	None
Last Updated	6/9/2024 10:09:37 PM

Comments:

This Craftsman Model 05191 Machinist Vise was purchased on eBay from a seller in Kentucky that was priced well below what I've seen these sell for in the past for these vises which are always usually VERY pricey.

Model 05191 with Solid Fixed Base
Jaw width: 4 inches wide
Weight: 48 pounds
Opening width: 7 inches
Catalog price in 1948: $15.75
Catalog price in 1957: $32.25
Cast semi steel forgings
Two oil access holes
Four anchor bolt holes
Polished anvil surface: 2.5" by 2.5"
Three separate precision adjustments to take up end play and wear
Machined head and collar bearings to lessen screw wear
Heavily milled beam slides smoothly in double broached rectangular hole
Appears via catalog ads these 051XX vise series had a production run from 1948 to 1957

Sears catalog ad reads:
"So well made we can positively guarantee them for 20 years against defects in materials and workmanship! Professional quality...especially constructed for daily service and heaviest machine shop work. You won't find a better machinists vise in this price range anywhere else. Streamlined design"

This vise was in fairly decent condition when I received it. There were two broken off jaw insert screws I had to extract, a small crack in the main nut that was hardened steel casting I had to braze up with a special high tensile nickle rod. The biggest issue was the bow towards the end of the main screw that I had pressed straight on a local 50-ton press. The main screw is straight now ans slides incredibly smooth with the heavy beam inside the broached opening. Everything was lubricated with Super Lube synthetic grease. The castings were all taken down to bare metal, small voids filled with JB-Weld, primed with Mar Hyde self etching primer and then top coated with Awl Grip two part polyurethane paint system. This 05191 vise has a very faint light 57 date stamp on top the beam behind the anvil area which is for 1957. The Sears warranty on this vise was for 20 years up until 1977.

Some Vintage Craftsman Catalog evidence below as to who may have made these nice vises for Sears Craftsman:

"Shipping weights are the same as actual weights. 5 1/2-inch jaw size and larger shipped prepaid from factory in Southern Illinois and you pay freight from there."

Southern Illinois was the plant location of the Rock Island Manufacturing Company at 1533 First St. in Rock Island Illinois.

Photo 1:

Comments: Heritage logo badge view
Source: C.Garrett

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Photo 2:

Comments: Restored left side view
Source: C.Garrett

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Photo 3:

Comments: Front View
Source: C.Garrett

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Photo 4:

Comments: Rear View
Source: C.Garrett

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Photo 5:

Comments: Internal parts view
Source: C.Garrett

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Photo 6:

Comments: 1949 Craftsman Catalog Ad
Source: Vintage Macines.org

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