Show us your bench vice(s)

[Vono]

@Vono

Take a good look at the rear of the sliding jaw. The rear lower skirts can crack.

Mine did, but only showed it self after de-rusting.

There is a crack in the slide at the back on top, not sure if you can see it in pic.
To be honest it's has lived a life & is in retirement now so i'm not really bothered .

 

[Dieselman 63]

Does anyone know how to dismantle a quick release Record 36? I’ve got the qr gear away but I can’t work out the spring on the end of the shaft. It’s an extremely old RD numbered one. Also if anyone knows of the early ones were a different colour? Cheers

 

[Dr.Al]

Does anyone know how to dismantle a quick release Record 36? I’ve got the qr gear away but I can’t work out the spring on the end of the shaft. It’s an extremely old RD numbered one. Also if anyone knows of the early ones were a different colour? Cheers

If it's the same as the one in my "little & large" post, then I think it was quite straightforward. I took lots of photos as I took it apart. Have you got any photos of the bit you're struggling with?

Edit: link to previous post: https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/show-us-your-bench-vice-s.52872/post-1829397

 

[Dr.Al]

If it's the same as the one in my "little & large" post, then I think it was quite straightforward. I took lots of photos as I took it apart. Have you got any photos of the bit you're struggling with?

Edit: link to previous post: https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/show-us-your-bench-vice-s.52872/post-1829397

Another photo of mine from before I stripped all the paint off:

and from before it went in the citric acid or electrolysis bath (can't remember which I used on this):

 

[Dieselman 63]

Another photo of mine from before I stripped all the paint off:

View attachment 288819

and from before it went in the citric acid or electrolysis bath (can't remember which I used on this):

View attachment 288820

I have the lever off, just can’t figure out how to get the cast iron shroud off the back of the screw

 

[Dr.Al]

I have the lever off, just can’t figure out how to get the cast iron shroud off the back of the screw

I presume you mean one of these bits:

I'm pretty sure they were both just sliding fits on the screw. This photo shows what the screw looked like after removal (the half-washer thing is a bit broken off a leg vice, so not related):

The quick release lever is just a smooth shaft, so the other bits just slide along it and are held in place by the spring and the screw through the end of the QR lever.

 

[Dieselman 63]

I presume you mean one of these bits:

View attachment 288825

I'm pretty sure they were both just sliding fits on the screw. This photo shows what the screw looked like after removal (the half-washer thing is a bit broken off a leg vice, so not related):

View attachment 288826

The quick release lever is just a smooth shaft, so the other bits just slide along it and are held in place by the spring and the screw through the end of the QR lever.

No, that’s the qr mechanism. I’m talking about the thing on the end of the actual screw, inside the sliding jaw. It has a spring at the end.

 

[Dr.Al]

No, that’s the qr mechanism. I’m talking about the thing on the end of the actual screw, inside the sliding jaw. It has a spring at the end.

Ah I see. I think it was a pin through the shaft holding a washer in place, but the photos I've got are a bit pants:

I'll pop out to the workshop and have a look at it in a bit. It'll probably be a lot more obvious on the real thing.

 

[Dieselman 63]

Ah I see. I think it was a pin through the shaft holding a washer in place, but the photos I've got are a bit pants:

View attachment 288844

I'll pop out to the workshop and have a look at it in a bit. It'll probably be a lot more obvious on the real thing.

Ah - so there is a pin. Makes sense. I’m struggling with very old dirt - the vice hasn’t been used in many years and looks to never have been serviced. Still, it is a 36! Got a whole heap on the go, including a very crusty 5 which came apart no trouble, and a virtually unused but rusty 4 which took all manner of aluminium wedges to prize apart!

 

[Dr.Al]

Ah - so there is a pin. Makes sense. I’m struggling with very old dirt - the vice hasn’t been used in many years and looks to never have been serviced. Still, it is a 36! Got a whole heap on the go, including a very crusty 5 which came apart no trouble, and a virtually unused but rusty 4 which took all manner of aluminium wedges to prize apart!

View attachment 288847

I think I got that wrong - it doesn't look like there's a pin.

Having had a fiddle around with it, I can move the washer to the right and compress the spring. Once I've done that, the cast iron cylinder thing is loose on the screw shaft. I think what happens is that the QR cap piece pushes the screw into the long jaw body and the end of the screw thread pushes the cylinder against the washer, which pushes the spring against the end of the casting. By "QR cap piece", I mean this thing:

If I'm right, then taking it apart should just require removing the QR cap piece and tapping on the end of the screw thread.

 

[dannysheff]

Your first bench-vice?

I'm an oldie but always been a maker (or try-to-maker) - mine was a Fabrex clamp-on like a down-market/simplified Record Imp - as far as I remember a birthday present as a late teen - did an awful lot of work over the years that little thing, but held up well (main problem was the strength of the table clamping and resulting unwanted swivel) - I'd always assumed it was German or French, but in fact they're British (made by ?).

Then one day I found a Parkinson's first version largest size woodworking QR and a Record 2 for £5 together - still have them - never a problem - just clear out the gunge every now and then - although it took a (long) while to make a suitable bench for the Parky. That and a Record 74 in the cellar and a York like the swivel Wilton so much desired in the USA in the allotment - fully satisfied my needs.

So how come all these others in my cupboard and tucked here and there, even some fitted to proper benches? Well it all started with a gumtree ad about 8 years ago -------- (before that I liked studying the world of vices eg as a museum volunteer, but not accumulating ------) - I have to confess to also having more wood chisels than anyone could use in a lifetime (or even 10)

So how about you?

and are you safe to be out now travel to go to auctions, junk shops, car boots and to pick up those big uns that you need, is now allowed again?

 

[Arc Tourist]

Your first bench-vice?

I'm an oldie but always been a maker (or try-to-maker) - mine was a Fabrex clamp-on like a down-market/simplified Record Imp - as far as I remember a birthday present as a late teen - did an awful lot of work over the years that little thing, but held up well (main problem was the strength of the table clamping and resulting unwanted swivel) - I'd always assumed it was German or French, but in fact they're British (made by ?).

Then one day I found a Parkinson's first version largest size woodworking QR and a Record 2 for £5 together - still have them - never a problem - just clear out the gunge every now and then - although it took a (long) while to make a suitable bench for the Parky. That and a Record 74 in the cellar and a York like the swivel Wilton so much desired in the USA in the allotment - fully satisfied my needs.

So how come all these others in my cupboard and tucked here and there, even some fitted to proper benches? Well it all started with a gumtree ad about 8 years ago -------- (before that I liked studying the world of vices eg as a museum volunteer, but not accumulating ------) - I have to confess to also having more wood chisels than anyone could use in a lifetime (or even 10)

So how about you?

and are you safe to be out now travel to go to auctions, junk shops, car boots and to pick up those big uns that you need, is now allowed again?

I think I'm done with acquiring vices. Yes I know, say it isn't so, but realistically I don't need many of the tools I have any more. I'm at an age where time is more precious, and moving the contents of my storage unit this week into the new garage has put that into perspective. I don't want to spend my time maintaining and taking care of a lot of "stuff" that has become surplus to requirement, so, I've been pondering about having another downsizing soon.

 

[dannysheff]

I think I'm done with acquiring vices. Yes I know, say it isn't so, but realistically I don't need many of the tools I have any more. I'm at an age where time is more precious, and moving the contents of my storage unit this week into the new garage has put that into perspective. I don't want to spend my time maintaining and taking care of a lot of "stuff" that has become surplus to requirement, so, I've been pondering about having another downsizing soon.

sensible man, but I'm not even 75 for a couple of years so I'm still accumulating - but I'll bear in mind your wise words


oh - did no-one else spot that rare giant Woden in the auction, well it can't go unloved ----

 

[MattF]

I think I'm done with acquiring vices.

Until the next one tempts you.

 

[SteveB58]

Your first bench-vice?

I'm an oldie but always been a maker (or try-to-maker) - mine was a Fabrex clamp-on like a down-market/simplified Record Imp - as far as I remember a birthday present as a late teen - did an awful lot of work over the years that little thing, but held up well (main problem was the strength of the table clamping and resulting unwanted swivel) - I'd always assumed it was German or French, but in fact they're British (made by ?).

Then one day I found a Parkinson's first version largest size woodworking QR and a Record 2 for £5 together - still have them - never a problem - just clear out the gunge every now and then - although it took a (long) while to make a suitable bench for the Parky. That and a Record 74 in the cellar and a York like the swivel Wilton so much desired in the USA in the allotment - fully satisfied my needs.

So how come all these others in my cupboard and tucked here and there, even some fitted to proper benches? Well it all started with a gumtree ad about 8 years ago -------- (before that I liked studying the world of vices eg as a museum volunteer, but not accumulating ------) - I have to confess to also having more wood chisels than anyone could use in a lifetime (or even 10)

So how about you?

and are you safe to be out now travel to go to auctions, junk shops, car boots and to pick up those big uns that you need, is now allowed again?

Understand completely. I decided to have a tidy and a clear out just this week as the weather was not behaving. Went through my pliers, I have decided to release 29 pairs back into the wild, but that still leaves me with about 30 of varying sorts. I also have a tool chest full of pump action screwdrivers, which I never use, actually screwdrivers in general, I have dozens. Wood chisels I have many, ditto wood planes. Oddly enough the tools for my own trade, fitter and turner, are strangely underrepresented, only two boxes for these.

Steve

 

[Arc Tourist]

Until the next one tempts you.

Before that, I'll have to have a count for a reality check; but I might consider trading a "few" for an 8" Swinden's.

 

[Vono]

Your first bench-vice?

I'm an oldie but always been a maker (or try-to-maker) - mine was a Fabrex clamp-on like a down-market/simplified Record Imp - as far as I remember a birthday present as a late teen - did an awful lot of work over the years that little thing, but held up well (main problem was the strength of the table clamping and resulting unwanted swivel) - I'd always assumed it was German or French, but in fact they're British (made by ?).

Then one day I found a Parkinson's first version largest size woodworking QR and a Record 2 for £5 together - still have them - never a problem - just clear out the gunge every now and then - although it took a (long) while to make a suitable bench for the Parky. That and a Record 74 in the cellar and a York like the swivel Wilton so much desired in the USA in the allotment - fully satisfied my needs.

So how come all these others in my cupboard and tucked here and there, even some fitted to proper benches? Well it all started with a gumtree ad about 8 years ago -------- (before that I liked studying the world of vices eg as a museum volunteer, but not accumulating ------) - I have to confess to also having more wood chisels than anyone could use in a lifetime (or even 10)

So how about you?

and are you safe to be out now travel to go to auctions, junk shops, car boots and to pick up those big uns that you need, is now allowed again?

Technically my first vice was a Clarke I bought from Toolstation but I returned it when I got home & found the rubbish casting was cracked.
I then bought my Record SQ4 (that's about 20 years ago), I still have it, see pic' . Then I was gifted my big Vono pattern makers vice & it was like that for many years...
In August last year I was 50 & my Sophie bought me a Record 74 Auto vice & then the madness started & that's how I ended up here .
Incredible to think that this time last year i'd never actually heard of makes like Parkinson, Woden, Fortis etc

 

[Arc Tourist]

Your first bench-vice?
...................................................................................

This tiny (middle in old photo) no name clamp on vise. Rather than toys, I preferred getting kid sized tools when I was young.

 

[MattF]

I then bought my Record SQ4 (that's about 20 years ago), I still have it, see pic' .

This was my first proper vice. A No.7. Still adorns this bench 20 odd years later.

 

[jhobson]

Tarted up the first of two vices I got last weekend. This turned out nice. The second will be even better.