The_Yellow_Ardvark
https://www.death-clock.org/
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A bit of a beast.
- Thread starter MattF
- Start date
A bit of a beast.
MikeBs
Member
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- Worcester
All stripped down.
It looks like the major task will be releasing the jaw screws.
Any tips for releasing them?
RobCox
Member
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- Cambridge, UK
I use the largest bit that will fit the screw slot in an impact driver. Doesnt take huge amounts of beating, just the shocks tend to free the screws up and cause less damage than gently increasing pressure. Obviously take the sliding jaw out to give unimpeded access to the screws.
The_Yellow_Ardvark
https://www.death-clock.org/
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SteveB58
Member
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I've got one of those rusting away in the garden. It had been on a bench I bought but was too big and heavy for what I wanted.
RWD3M
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some new additions to the vice family, the 84 was so rusty there was no original paint so had to strip to bare metal, clear zinc coat.
ive decided to leave the patina on the spindle knob and bar
my new project a Joplin 5, with so much weld splatter and the oiliest greasy vice ive ever some across
made in Sydney, Australia, patent in 1965 due to its 1/4 inch steel plate design, in production from 1965 to 1972 when the design went metric and was taken over by Sidchrome
i do believe its the first steel plate design although could be wrong on that
ive decided to leave the patina on the spindle knob and bar
my new project a Joplin 5, with so much weld splatter and the oiliest greasy vice ive ever some across
made in Sydney, Australia, patent in 1965 due to its 1/4 inch steel plate design, in production from 1965 to 1972 when the design went metric and was taken over by Sidchrome
i do believe its the first steel plate design although could be wrong on that
just lately i cant free a screw, have smashed lots of impact bits, any advice
GraemeVW
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Silly, but not set to tighten is it?
Nick DV
"That's the only name they ever gave me."
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Heat?
dannysheff
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- UK Sheffield
Interesting Q about first 'steel plate design' or weld fab vice. The London-made 'The Herbert' - Swinden-style vice is weld fab steel and I thought 1940/50s, but not sure, likewise the London weld fab steel version of the DOHM, then there were the Record Leader brand and at least one similar offset vice (60/70s?) in England.
Of course the leg vices from down the ages were made by hammer welding wrought iron with steel jaw faces and screw boxes, but that's another story
SteveB58
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Re leg vices. I own three, one in constant use, one a Christmas present from 'erindoors, which is more of an garden decoration and another which is in bits and used as spares. Now all three have common features, all are of a similar shape size, and design. None of mine have makers marks so most probably made locally or in shop. Does anyone know if they were a sort of 'apprentice piece' or rite of passage piece that the tradesman would take with them? Was there a 'go to' design from which a smith would make the vice to order?
dannysheff
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yes - until Peter Wright of Birmingham area, these were very rarely named - really don't know why - two other big makers were Onions, also Brum, and for many years the Mousehole forge in Sheffield - these makers also made anvils. There were many other makers, but rarely marked.
Very skilled team job, weld forging these, so doubt they were apprentice made, but I'm not an expert.
They were made in a huge variety of sizes and often sold by weight - there was an absolute giant 9/10in wide jaw example in a local salvage place - she wanted a fortune for it but it's now gone.
Although most of the UK cast iron or steel vice making finished up in Sheffield, (after starting in Bradford), Sheffield work benches often had old leg vices, even up to the '70s and later.
Last edited:
SteveB58
Member
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Thanks Danny, very informative. The one on my bench has 6 inch jaws and was seized solid when I bought it and it weighs a ton. I was a day away from weighing it in for scrap before a last ditch night in a bonfire freed it up. I've been all over it and can find no mark, I imagine if parts were cast it would be easier to have names/lettering pattern, whereas a smith made
vice and marks would be engraved.
Steve
vice and marks would be engraved.
Steve
Dieselman 63
Forklift Certified
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Ghastly resto imo 
The_Yellow_Ardvark
https://www.death-clock.org/
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- 19,654
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- Going Away.
Each to their own.Ghastly resto imo
If the OP is happy then that's all there is about it.
