Record Auto Vice 74 Rebuild

[Tupers]

I got this vice recently and after stepping over it in the workshop a few times I decided to have a play with it today.

I didn’t really need a project but after polishing the chrome screw cover and steam cleaning all the gunk and saw dust off I thought I may as well go all the way.

It took a few hours of scraping dried grease and cleaning with a wire wheel but it’s looking good and amazingly unmollested.
The only part I haven’t got out yet is the anvil punk in the top of the static jaw so I’ll get a bit of heat on it and see if I can get it to budge.

I did uncover a couple porous spots in the casting but they’ll be easy enough to fill.

 

[frank horton]

this record,
looks very American to me.....
did they make Record in the states as well ?.....
nice vice either way.....

 

[Tupers]

No this one was definitely made in England it’s even cast into the side. I’m no expert on Record vices but as far as I’m aware they were all made in England at this age.

It’s tricky to see in this picture but the screw cover is stamped ‘COLONIAL & FOREIGN PATENTS ‘ which I thought was just a cool artefact of its time.

 

[Cris B]

Will be following this with interest. They are a lovely bit of kit aren’t they?

This is mine:

Does yours lock in place on the swivel? I have play in mine even when it is done up tight

 

[cr500dom]

I Have one of these in bits, mid refurb too.
I took it all apart and then dropped it off with a local furniture strippers to dip and strip.
came up ok.
I need to get some epoxy on it and get it back together really.
I have about 3 stripped down at the moment !!

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Mine is now in bits.





But I am 400 miles from it.

 

[Turbo]

Mine is now in bits.


View attachment 170015


But I am 400 miles from it.

Where do you live?

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

This week.
In a hotel. In France.

 

[Tupers]

After a slightly manic time last week I’ve got the Auto-Vice masked up and primed. Now to mix up some red.

 

[Turbo]

Too late now but you will find that it's probably a waste of time putting on primer. If you are going to use the vice the paint will chip/wear off & reveal the grey primer, which looks awful. Any vices I paint now I apply the top coat straight on to the cast iron vice & it seems to last quite well in use.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

@Tupers Going by the bank of IR heaters there, I'm guessing you're a sprayer/bodywork guy?

 

[Tupers]

Those Auto-Vice 74 experts out there will notice I’ve not painted it like they were originally in front and behind of the jaws but decided to cut out the middle man and leave off the paint that would get worn of eventually.

Too late now but you will find that it's probably a waste of time putting on primer. If you are going to use the vice the paint will chip/wear off & reveal the grey primer, which looks awful. Any vices I paint now I apply the top coat straight on to the cast iron vice & it seems to last quite well in use.

I tend to prime everything I do and this isn’t going to get worked as hard as my Record No6. It’ll probably spend most of its time being dusted.

@Tupers Going by the bank of IR heaters there, I'm guessing you're a sprayer/bodywork guy?

Yeah somewhere between painter, panel beater, restoration and general fabricator.

 

[MattF]

Too late now but you will find that it's probably a waste of time putting on primer. If you are going to use the vice the paint will chip/wear off & reveal the grey primer, which looks awful. Any vices I paint now I apply the top coat straight on to the cast iron vice & it seems to last quite well in use.

Same here. I think I used primer once. Never again. It just isn't needed on cast iron.

 

[brightspark]

noticed the cleaned up parts are very shiny .that wont help the paint to key . otherwise nice job .does it matter if it gets chipped and mucky its a vice not an ornament .or is it

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

I paint mine, why?
Gives me something to do.

Plus if I sell them on, it does up the asking price.

I paint the ones I use as well, the paint damaged gives it some distinctive looks.

 

[MattF]

noticed the cleaned up parts are very shiny .that wont help the paint to key . otherwise nice job .does it matter if it gets chipped and mucky its a vice not an ornament .or is it

You need ask?

 

[Tupers]

You think you’re concerned now, just wait until a bust the gold leaf out.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

You think you’re concerned now, just wait until a bust the gold leaf out.

It does add something special to the finish.

It is also very relaxing.



It does show up any flaws in the words and casting marks.



But when it does right, it looks good.


It does nothing to the function of the vice. But I think it does add something nice to a good finish.

 

[Gragson]

@Tupers Nice Vice - good job
Hope my masking comes out as good

 

[Screwdriver]

Always liked the look of those vices, never actually had one...