Show us your bench vice(s)

[SteveB58]

If you could only have one brand of vice, which would it be?

Don't care about the brand but it must have character. Currently on the bench is the Record 75 and a huge old knarly leg vice of dubious pedigree. Once I have freed up some room the Peter Wright will be swiftly bolted back down.

Steve

 

[dannysheff]

Thanks for that info wabbit. I'm sure you have others I'd covet, but it'd be hard to beat that Parky with the brass static jaw or the Woden and Record with cast slides.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

I'd love to find out more about the half brass Parky but have never been able to find anything out. It's not quick release even though at first sight you'd think it had just lost parts of the QR over the years. The nut isn't a half nut, but the thread is buttress, the base hasn't been milled to allow for a QR mech either.

 

[Arc Tourist]

…………………….. If you could only have one brand of vice, which would it be?

That's a tough one to answer, would depend on best fit for purpose; but I wouldn't buy any vice of modern production offered. I'm partial to the older Wilton and Columbian models as they have stood the test of time.

 

[Arc Tourist]

Don't care about the brand but it must have character. ………………………………………

To me, the bench vice with the best character is the Record Auto-Vice. Its proportions and features seem perfect as an ideal vice for the smaller workshop. Its a finely sculpted tool with a finesse that I think would appeal to many craftsmen and machinists.

 

[Arc Tourist]

I'd love to find out more about the half brass Parky but have never been able to find anything out. ………………………..

If I understand correctly, brass tools of all types were used where needed in munition factories, to limit the chance of sparking an explosion ?

 

[Arc Tourist]

For anyone interested, I just noticed currently there is a Parkinsons ball base vice on the bay of evil. It has suffered a broken jaw that has been welded. Item # 164477997923

 

[slim_boy_fat]

For anyone interested, I just noticed currently there is a Parkinsons ball base vice on the bay of evil. It has suffered a broken jaw that has been welded. Item # 164477997923

That looks brazing[?] and right across the weak point if it were to receive any serious 'persuasion' from a hammer on the workpiece? .

Body swerve from me [if I were into vices].

 

[Vono]

To me, the bench vice with the best character is the Record Auto-Vice. Its proportions and features seem perfect as an ideal vice for the smaller workshop. Its a finely sculpted tool with a finesse that I think would appeal to many craftsmen and machinists.

The Auto Vice is a very clever design & if i were to have only one vice (perish that thought ), in a small workshop it would get me vote.
The offset jaws mean you can clamp tall objects & the pipe bender & grips are handy too. Another really smart bit of design is the swivel feature but also the way you can leave the swivel mount attached to the workbench but due to vice being attached to it by a long threaded rod & wingnut, providing you have a convenient hole you can just shift the vice itself anywhere bung the thread through the hole & tighten it up underneath with the wingnut - brilliant !
Not so clever is the very exposed screw thread to easily catch muck but otherwise a smart design.

 

[Vono]

I'd love to find out more about the half brass Parky but have never been able to find anything out. It's not quick release even though at first sight you'd think it had just lost parts of the QR over the years. The nut isn't a half nut, but the thread is buttress, the base hasn't been milled to allow for a QR mech either.
View attachment 257816 View attachment 257817 View attachment 257818 View attachment 257819 View attachment 257820 View attachment 257821 View attachment 257822

There's no possibility it could be an early prototype is there?
It might account for why it has some features but lacks others that maybe came in later, perhaps they were just trying brass out as a material to use?

 

[SteveB58]

To me, the bench vice with the best character is the Record Auto-Vice. Its proportions and features seem perfect as an ideal vice for the smaller workshop. Its a finely sculpted tool with a finesse that I think would appeal to many craftsmen and machinists.

Yep, love the 74, I've one on my outside bench and had a really good example on an inside bench. But compared to the 75 there is no contest.

 

[MattF]

If you could only have one brand of vice, which would it be?

Parkinsons.

 

[Vono]

Parkinsons.

Can i ask why ?

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Can i ask why ?

They are good, easy to find, simple to fix, tough and look nice.
Well made and last a long time.

 

[MattF]

Quality & finish. Plus, my first vice was/is a Parkinson, & still sits on my bench, so naturally I'm still drawn to them.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

I'm still drawn to them

Is that due to your magnetic personality?

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Just my small collection of Parkinsons.

 

[Vono]

Ah cool, thanks to both

 

[MattF]

This is my No.7. Been sat on that bench for over 20 years.

 

[Vono]

This is my No.7. Been sat on that bench for over 20 years.

View attachment 257911

What a nice old thing.
Good to have that much history with something.