Photo Index - Sears | Craftsman - Model 506.51810 Bench Vise

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Sears | Craftsman
Chicago, IL

True Manufacturer:
Columbian Vise & Manufacturing Co., Cleveland, OH

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Metal Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Other
Machine Size:	3.5 inch jaws - 16 pounds
Submitted By:	Curtis Garrett

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Model 506.51810 Bench Vise
Date of Manufacturer:	Early 1970's aprox.
Serial Number:	None
Last Updated	6/10/2024 10:47:19 AM

Comments:

Purchased off eBay out of Maryland and restored for a friend at work.

Craftsman Model 506.51810 bench vise manufactured by the Columbian Vise Company in Cleveland Ohio:

3.5 inch wide replaceable hardened jaw inserts
Jaws open up to 4 inches
Cast iron body with malleable iron nut
Flat anvil surface with cast in horn
180 degree swivel base locks in any position
Slanted away from vise body swivel locking lever rod
Cast built-in pipe jaws
Holds pipe from 1/2" to 1.25 inches
Main screw protected from chip filings via a rolled steel square channel - "Can't Clog"
Nickel plated handle, screw and lock nut
Screw handle ball ends forged from metal handle stock "can't come loose"
Acme threaded steel screw seated in replaceable malleable iron nut
Vise was USA manufactured from 1960 up to around 1973/1974 then it was outsourced to a Foundry Factory in Japan
From around 1975 to the end of this vises production run it was sourced and marked "BF" Made in Japan which was the KTC Japan Company who also made this vise in the "Fuller" brand name also. Sears source code is 391.XXXXX for the Made in Japan version.
Price in 1960: $10.79
Price in 1973: $17.30

This vise was in exceptional original condition seeing very little use or abuse.
The jaw top surfaces, jaw sides and anvil surface were flap disk ground to to level out and remove some very minor indentations.
The anvil horn was ground and refined way past what Columbian did (painted red) so this could be used on curved metal stock when necessary. All casting surface were top coated in an Awl Grip two part system in my Vintage custom mixed Craftsman King-Seeley grey color.

Photo 1:

Comments: Restored right side 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: Top View
Source: C.Garrett

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Photo 4:

Comments: Rear View
Source: C.Garrett

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Photo 5:

Comments: Restored side view
Source: C.Garrett

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Photo 6:

Comments: 1973 Craftsman Catalog Ad
Source: Garage Journal contributor posting

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