Show us your bench vice(s)

[MattF]

The old style was shown in the B&H 1953 catalogue and the new style is shown in the 1958 catalogue, so I guess that narrows it down to 5 years, makes yours one of the first.

It being an early one would correspond with the serial stamped on it. Can't remember exactly what it is offhand, but seem to think it's around 2500 or so. I thought that was a Military serial no., but possibly not.

Hmm, can't see unbreakable mentioned in this catalogue, although it is on the page of unbreakable vices, I'll have to dig out my number 12 and see if it is on the casting.

It definitely doesn't say unbreakable on this one, so possibly someone may have tested that claim to destruction with their previous line, and they omitted it to save hassle.

As I understand it casting steel is much harder than iron, it is much more prone to inclusions and is very difficult to cast thick parts. So the lack of mass is most likely to increase the success rate of the castings.

Would make sense. I was thinking it might just be a cost/weight cutting measure.

EDIT: apologies for the poor photo quality

That's fine. Cheers for that, btw.

I'll try at some point to make decent digital copies of the vice section of all the B&H catalogues I have (1930,30 abridged,35,53,58,64,71/72) and the Record ones (No 16 and No 17).

That would be lovely if you could. On a tangent regarding the B&H catalogues, are there any old lineshaft pedestal drills in the earlier catalogues you have? Namely the, (to use what seems to have become a common term for them), camelback style drills. I have an old Pollard, geared floor standing drill here which was supplied by B&H. No idea what the rough age of it is though.

 

[MattF]

No piccys as of yet...iv removed the 2 square bolts from underneath and the 2 flat head screws from the front of vice and removed the quick release the jaws open fully now bit stops on the big washer I can see how to remove the big screw

The leadscrew should just pull out. The only thing which keeps that in place is the front plate where the quick release lever is. The washer at the rear of the screw just slips onto the end of the leadscrew, so that should just drop off when you pull the leadscrew out. I'll post a photo shortly of my No.7, whilst it's apart. You should be able to work out from the bits in the photo how the leadscrew etc. fit.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

I think he is trying to remove the dynamic jaw before removing the main screw. The main screw needs to be removed then the washer will drop out and the dynamic jaw will then slide out IIRC.

 

[MattF]

I think he is trying to remove the dynamic jaw before removing the main screw.

That would explain why it's not coming out.

The main screw needs to be removed then the washer will drop out and the dynamic jaw will then slide out IIRC.

Yup.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

......On a tangent regarding the B&H catalogues, are there any old lineshaft pedestal drills in the earlier catalogues you have? Namely the, (to use what seems to have become a common term for them), camelback style drills. I have an old Pollard, geared floor standing drill here which was supplied by B&H. No idea what the rough age of it is though.

Unfortunately as well as their main catalogue they also had a separate 'Machine Tools Catalogue' that was only sent out on request, the main catalogue only goes as far as bench drills.

 

[MattF]

Just my luck. I'll keep an eye out for one of those machine tools catalogues. Cheers.

 

[MattF]

Paul, this is a slightly different model, but same setup. You've removed the two screws holding this front plate on?

If you've removed the clamp underneath which holds the sprung bar which pushes the half nut into position, with the vice sat upright, just slide the handle/leadscrew forward. It and that front plate should slide out from the front jaw assembly. If not, it suggests your half nut is still engaged on the screw.

 

[paulmitchell1984]

It seems to be this washer stopping it coming out I can't see how o remove it

 

[paulmitchell1984]

Pointer showing washer

 

[paulmitchell1984]

Problem solved brute force removed it lol needed a good slide to remove it

 

[CwazyWabbit]

Rusted in place was it?
or perhaps the slide had been bruised by a hammer.

 

[paulmitchell1984]

I think the latter as there wasn't much rust tbh...how do people finish the jaws and top of the slide to gwt them shiney ad mine looks to have been used as a hammer base with quire a few circles in it..not after perfect as it's going to be used not put in a show case

 

[CwazyWabbit]

A wire wheel on the grinder will give it some shine but still dark in colour, emery cloth and oil will get it shinier but is more work. I'd go wire wheel first and see what you think.

 

[paulmitchell1984]

cheers il give that a whirl tonight id thought about belt saner with low grit but not sure if that will cause any issues takign a small layer off...wire wheel and emery cloth it is

 

[CwazyWabbit]

When using the emery use something like wd40 or a light oil and it'll stop it clogging and also seems to leave less scratches.

 

[MattF]

Electrolysis vat, soft bristle brass or stainless brush and a nylon pan scourer with paraffin or kerosene are my methods. I'll use fine wire wool at a push if I must, but avoid using anything more abrasive. If you go the fine emery route, keep a constant layer of oil on there as CW suggests, to prevent it being too aggressive and scratching, and don't work any spot for too long. Keep wiping the oil off every so oft and refreshing it too, to get the crud off there which the oil will be holding onto.

 

[MattF]

Finally decided to show my main bench vice a bit of lovin'. She's served me faultlessly for nigh on twenty years, so thought it only fair that she got a good going over too. This is pretty much how she's looked for the last twenty years.

She looked far worse than that when I first got her. Covered in grime and a layer of surface rust due to being plonked outside for weeks before I got her, she'd only had a light fettling when first I got her, upto just. Now done and back in position, she should outlast me easily.

 

[sardine]

A mans vice should be private, not tarted up and exposed to the world, like a common strumpet.

 

[paulmitchell1984]

A mans vice should be private, not tarted up and exposed to the world, like a common strumpet.

if youve got it....flaunt it

 

[paulmitchell1984]

Stripped and painted..and the damage to back of the slider