Show us your bench vice(s)

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Got this the other day.
Rust, broken, seized, missing parts and very much unloved.

But after a few hours work, a few coffee's and few laughs we end up with this.

 

[Seadog]

Nice restoration.

 

[lotus_esprit_s1]

Freshly painted 1970’s Record 25 vs modern Chinese Irwin-Record 25

 

[lotus_esprit_s1]

Very nice!

as you have original and new Is there any difference in strength or quality?

The quality of the casting and finishing is much better on the old one. In use they are pretty much identical, although I haven’t abused either of them!

The casting is subtly different between them, looks like they have remade the patterns.

 

[oxoseven]

Thanks Wabbit -- Wadkin, of course, Wilson Riley is the inventor/maker of the vice sold as J Syers in UK, -- I meant to put in Premier, but was wondering where made - B'ham? - I know many machine tool makers made tool/drilling vices, and Abwood was the big player - did they make a bench vice?

by Herbert, London, I'm referring to 'The Herbert' All-Steel Vice - a '40s weld fab version of the Swinden, not Geo Herbert machine tools of Coventry - I have one and the name is damaged and I have forgotten - anyone help - it's "Herbert ----ins" of London quick websearch getting nothing



[oh yes aardvark -- I see it now, it's that steaming Jekyll and Hyde juice of many pages ago that turns an aardvark into a dinosaur]

I have been given an old samsonia perfect vise that is rusted up and seized solid. l have been looking through utube for info. how to free it when l found a link to this website and l was really surprised to find so many people renovating old vices. I have come to the conclusion that I could never make anything of it I have no engineering skills at all, I was a truck driver all my life so only basic mechanics and stuff learned at school. If anyone wants this vice let me know through this web page. I live in Worcestershire. The lettering on it says no. 38A model j samsonia perfect vise.

I have finally stripped the vice down but have 1 broken bolt in the vice plate, can someone tell me the bolt size and thread and what type of drill and tap to use, will a b&q drill do the job or do l need a better quality one any tips will be welcome, thanks lads.

 

[SteveB58]

I have finally stripped the vice down but have 1 broken bolt in the vice plate, can someone tell me the bolt size and thread and what type of drill and tap to use, will a b&q drill do the job or do l need a better quality one any tips will be welcome, thanks lads.

That's hard question to answer. The quality of B&Qs drills, or so I've discovered, is variable, even from the same set. Some will cut iron/steal without problem while others will merely spin and snap. As to for a tapping drill without knowing what the size is it is difficult to say, I'd have to get my Zeus book out.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

I have finally stripped the vice down but have 1 broken bolt in the vice plate, can someone tell me the bolt size and thread and what type of drill and tap to use, will a b&q drill do the job or do l need a better quality one any tips will be welcome, thanks lads.

More than not it will be UNC..

You have a few choice's.

Drill it out and re tap to UNC.
Drill out and retap to a metric size.
Drill the bolt to a smaller size and fit a smaller size.

I have done all if the above.

Your B&D will be fine. Just get a few sharp drill bits and cutting fluid.

 

[SteveB58]

You might find this link useful, if you don't have a Zeus book. https://www.coastalfasteners.co.nz/tapping-drill-sizes

 

[oxoseven]

You might find this link useful, if you don't have a Zeus book. https://www.coastalfasteners.co.nz/tapping-drill-sizes

I have got a bolt to fit the plates and it has got unc on the head but its the diameter of the actual bolt hole that I need so l can get the relevant drill and tap, but that website will be useful.

 

[SteveB58]

I have got a bolt to fit the plates and it has got unc on the head but its the diameter of the actual bolt hole that I need so l can get the relevant drill and tap, but that website will be useful.

Easy enough. Measure the diameter of the bolt, easiest done by measuring the unthreaded shank, let's say it's half an inch. Looking at the table shoes that you'll need an 11mm drill.

 

[dannysheff]

I've seen (and even owned) swivel-jaw vices with one swivel, with two (see Fortis and the Italian Brevete) and seen a pic of Swedish machine vice one with ?4, but there's a link to a vid of fine restoration of a US patent machine/drill vice with 30 swivels over on ukworkshop.co.uk at present and it seems to work well.

wow

I can't see that ever going back into production, so if you see one at the car boot, get it for me.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

Are you on about the fractal vice? There is a version about to go back into production.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

The original being restored

Article on the new version https://www.core77.com/posts/109283/This-Morphing-Fractal-Engraving-Vise-Can-Hold-Any-Shape
And link to shop https://fractalvise.com/

 

[dannysheff]

Are you on about the fractal vice? There is a version about to go back into production.

Yes - my word - thanks for the link, wabbit - wow again - I know I wouldn't be able to afford it if it does eventually hit the market, but fascinating

 

[Screwdriver]

I'll be surprised if this chap gets a new patent. One assumes the original version was patented and once expired, so far as I am aware, you can't claim to have re-invented it...

 

[Arc Tourist]

........................And link to shop https://fractalvise.com/

I like where it said you can make a deposit, "but" the final price has yet to be determined.

The fractal vise proposed might be good for some intricate engraving work but would be too small for most engineering work. A set of pins for engraving type vices cover just about everything your likely to encounter.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

I like where it said you can make a deposit, "but" the final price has yet to be determined.

The fractal vise proposed might be good for some intricate engraving work but would be too small for most engineering work. A set of pins for engraving type vices cover just about everything your likely to encounter.

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Oh My.

That has brought back memories from my long distance youth.

 

[Arc Tourist]

For your viewing pleasure.

 

[dannysheff]

For your viewing pleasure.

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Impressed with this set-up ---seen pin vices before, or engravers using eye-mags and high friction leather sand-bags, but the stereo m'scope and ?ball-pin-vice looks the biz

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

For your viewing pleasure.

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Apart from the eye bins, that almost could of been lifted from a old Jewellers my dad and I would visit.

I got my first watch from that place.