Show us your bench vice(s)

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

One of mine , from the past.

 

[Rannsachair]

@Rannsachair
On your anvil, under the working head is it smooth or rough cast?
If it is smooth, that's for working metal as well.

It seems smooth on the sides and rough where the casting mould split was at the back face.Looks very similar to the one you have photographed. Thanks

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

It seems smooth on the sides and rough where the casting mould split was at the back face.Looks very similar to the one you have photographed. Thanks

That one is now living in Russia, 20 miles away from Moscow.

 

[dobbslc]

Probably passed this one on the way over....

 

[InTheHighlands]

To add to the vice, or in this case vise......, colour debate, here's an absolutely gorgeous little Parkinson Ball Base Vise I picked up recently in virtually unused condition.

 

[dannysheff]

To add to the vice, or in this case vise......, colour debate, here's an absolutely gorgeous little Parkinson Ball Base Vise I picked up recently in virtually unused condition.View attachment 208752 View attachment 208753 View attachment 208754

Very nice - I have one, good, but rusty green (repaint, I suppose).

Your decal shows that they counted it as part of the Handy range (as opposed to Perfect, or Samsonia (steel), both quick release) with no QR.

Model A --- but I believe there were no other sizes.

 

[owas]

blasphemy

Woden e/8

 

[dannysheff]

Oldest cast iron/steel bench vice??

I know that blacksmiths type leg/pin/staple vices were made by the tens of thousands from at least early eighteenth century (up until about 30 years ago?) - mostly from wrought iron (maybe mild steel later) with steel jaw faces and screw/box.
And that makers such as Peter Wright made wrought iron bench mount versions with similar style/function/material but no leg.

But who made the earliest cast iron bench vices?

Parkinson seem to have brought out a whole range of cast iron (then cast steel) engineering bench vices with the invention of their quick release in the 1880s, they also brought out the 'Handy' range (no QR) which were very much the model for the basic bench vice of many UK makes eg Record up to today nos 2, 3, 4 etc (but made where in 2020?)). Were these the first such in the UK? There were also a couple of cast iron woodwork types about 5 years before Parky.

I think some cast iron vices were being made in the USA in the 1860s.

Show us your v early cast iron bench vice.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Show us your v early cast iron bench vice.

@mrsbruce

 

[Dieselman 63]

This vice and two clamps are from 1891

 

[mrsbruce]

@mrsbruce

??

No idea of date made, but Adam may have been in his youth, if not a laddie.

 

[Maker]

??

No idea of date made, but Adam may have been in his youth, if not a laddie.

Forget youth, I wasn't even born.

 

[mrsbruce]

Forget youth, I wasn't even born.

Well, would you ‘Adam and Eve’ it.

 

[dannysheff]

??

No idea of date made, but Adam may have been in his youth, if not a laddie.

Classic blacksmith's leg vice - probably hand forged wrought iron, steeled on jaws with a steel screw and box - makers such as Peter Wright or Mousehole forge - any markings on yours? (usually none) -- I have one (v similar looking, same size) on outside bench in my allotment - gets a bit rustier every year, but very useful.

I like the way you mounted it on that stump - looks recently done?

Nice one.

 

[mrsbruce]

Classic blacksmith's leg vice - probably hand forged wrought iron, steeled on jaws with a steel screw and box - makers such as Peter Wright or Mousehole forge - any markings on yours? (usually none) -- I have one (v similar looking, same size) on outside bench in my allotment - gets a bit rustier every year, but very useful.

I like the way you mounted it on that stump - looks recently done?

Nice one.

That’s a picture from almost 2 years ago. It lives in my hut porch, so the worst of the weather is kept off it. It’s a very handy vise, but is quite tall, and me being a shortstop, I find it comfier to stand on a pallet when using it.

 

[dannysheff]

That’s a picture from almost 2 years ago. It lives in my hut porch, so the worst of the weather is kept off it. It’s a very handy vise, but is quite tall, and me being a shortstop, I find it comfier to stand on a pallet when using it.

The bottom bit of the leg was usually sunk into floor (stone with hole or concrete) -- it'd then be a few inches lower. And more solid.

Or fitted on a stand … then higher, (or often leg was made/cut shorter for stand).

 

[mrsbruce]

The bottom bit of the leg was usually sunk into floor (stone with hole or concrete) -- it'd then be a few inches lower. And more solid.

Or fitted on a stand … then higher, (or often leg was made/cut shorter for stand).

Or, if your vise is almost 4 foot tall, and you are almost 5 foot tall, you stand on a pallet.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Or, if your vise is almost 4 foot tall, and you are almost 5 foot tall, you stand on a pallet.

Ahh Susan Callum lost sister.

 

[mrsbruce]

Ahh Susan Callum lost sister.

I keep meaning to write to her, and tell her that.

We are twins, separated at birth, apart from being born quite a few years apart (), to different parents. I was born in Edinburgh, not Glasgow, I never went to University, and I’ve never married a woman. Possibly my loss, who am I to judge.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

I keep meaning to write to her, and tell her that.

We are twins, separated at birth, apart from being born quite a few years apart (), to different parents. I was born in Edinburgh, not Glasgow, I never went to University, and I’ve never married a woman. Possibly my loss, who am I to judge.

Mere details.