Show us your bench vice(s)

[Maker]

I love the grey finish the tank leaves, I don't think I'd have painted that, just rubbed it down with oil.

 

[roofman]

Nothing special my end...2 on the island steel bench and 1 on my wall bench.Used and abused daily just like the wife

 

[CwazyWabbit]

I love the grey finish the tank leaves, I don't think I'd have painted that, just rubbed it down with oil.

If the vice had been in better condition I might have just coated it in boiled linseed oil but unfortunately as well as the pitting from heavy rust there were also two chunks that had been cut out of the bottom of the base (you can see one in the first picture) and the end had been cut off the QR lever, I brazed them back up but would have looked weird if you could see them.

 

[Turbo]

Vice is indeed a No. 111, never knew they existed. Might be going to get it today.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

Plenty of pictures please when you get it

 

[MattF]

I love the grey finish the tank leaves, I don't think I'd have painted that, just rubbed it down with oil.

It does look nice when they're left bare and just oiled. It's a lot of work to get them clean enough to use that finishing option though. You get the odd little clumps of paint etc which cling like there's no tomorrow, and they stick out like a sore thumb if you don't remove them. Repainting is a lot easier.

 

[MattF]

If the vice had been in better condition I might have just coated it in boiled linseed oil but unfortunately as well as the pitting from heavy rust there were also two chunks that had been cut out of the bottom of the base (you can see one in the first picture) and the end had been cut off the QR lever, I brazed them back up but would have looked weird if you could see them.

A good bit of brazing is one thing I always tend to think looks quite attractive when on cast of a good surface quality. I suppose it's akin to the old pin-striping, but a clean braze line always reminds me of that.

 

[Turbo]

Forgot to say that I have 2 electrolysis tanks set up - a half barrel and a full barrel. On the lookout for a cheap IBC cube for those really large objects. Was thinking of starting a business stripping rust. It's amazing what a bit of washing soda and a battery charger will do.

I must get that leg vice into the tank and get it tidied up. Didn't realise how bad it looked until I took that photo.

Anyway, I've bought the vice & bench grinder over the phone. I don't have to drive the 85 miles to collect them either - his sister has a holiday caravan near me & is up there most weekends!

Already spotted a potential location for the 111 - at the other end of the bench. Then I can secure long things between the No 6 and the 111.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

That's a nice result avoiding the journey, will be nice to see some pictures when you have it in your hands

 

[CwazyWabbit]

A good bit of brazing is one thing I always tend to think looks quite attractive when on cast of a good surface quality. I suppose it's akin to the old pin-striping, but a clean braze line always reminds me of that.

You'll get to see some on the 114 jaw suppots when I do that, although it will look more like blobs due to the fact it's filling holes.

 

[Flathead_Dave]

You'll get to see some on the 114 jaw suppots when I do that, although it will look more like blobs due to the fact it's filling holes.

Well I've heard some poor excuses in my time.
You've got a grinder,turn the holes into slots,braze them up,and give the guy what he wants.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

I'll compromise and turn one of them into a slot .... and a diagonal one at that!

 

[Bede]

My unimpressive vice on my bench at work.

This is officially the saddest thing I've ever posted on the internet!!

 

[MattF]

Forgot to say that I have 2 electrolysis tanks set up - a half barrel and a full barrel. On the lookout for a cheap IBC cube for those really large objects. Was thinking of starting a business stripping rust. It's amazing what a bit of washing soda and a battery charger will do.

As soon as you started charging for it, you'd be at the mercy of all of the waste disposal rules and such.

Making a container from ply and lining it with DPM is another option for a larger container. That's how I made my 4'x2'x2' vat. Even that's still not big enough for the odd piece or two though.

Anyway, I've bought the vice & bench grinder over the phone. I don't have to drive the 85 miles to collect them either - his sister has a holiday caravan near me & is up there most weekends!

Always a good thing when you can avoid a long trek.

 

[MattF]

This is officially the saddest thing I've ever posted on the internet!!

Give it time, and this will literally seem like the high spot of your posting career, (or is it just me who's a complete sad git?).

 

[CwazyWabbit]

Nope Matt, I too am a sad git

 

[Turbo]

I noticed that some of you guys mentioned using oil to protect the natural finish. I've just finished cleaning up my old wood turning chisel set in the tank and I would like to stop them going rusty again. Paint would only chip off but would linseed oil work? What about adding wax?

 

[MattF]

Linseed oil would be a poor choice for chisels, I'd say. Johnson's paste wax seems to be a favourite of woodworkers, but I'd be tempted to go with pure beeswax, (possibly thinned with some gum turpentine to make application easier).

 

[paulmitchell1984]

Some nice looking vices on here...

Iv literally just got in from picking this one up...any advise on stripping g cleaning etc?

Needs a new set of jaws so going to get my uncle to sort so.e on Miller, any preference metal for this..alu.inium steel etc..

Has slight play in the main shaft bit side to side but auto release works fine as does the handle opening etc

Was it worth the 25 I paid



Also got this little number 3

Again any hints tips on cleaning and paint etc

Cat remember where I got this or how much it clamps Fine but can occasionally not open straight away it's as though it misses the thread then catches ???


Then finally my 1st ever vice a Clark engineering thing so far it has done me prudent spins 360 and also head turns which is had for tube etc

 

[paulmitchell1984]

Ps sorry for spelling using phone and struggling clearly