Show us your bench vice(s)

[Barking Mat]

i have been selling a few vices lately as i need room for more collectable ones, my better half complained she couldnt move in the garage due to all the clutter and told me to line up and decide which ones to keep and which ones to sell.
seems i still have 40 engineering vices, i think she has forgotten about the 19 woodworking vices, opps
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Wow, I mean wow, have you tried seeking help ?

That's one fine collection.

 

[Craig-SM]

Anyone got any info on a Record No.27? Google is failing me so searching your grey matter instead.

 

[jack-daniels]

Anyone got any info on a Record No.27? Google is failing me so searching your grey matter instead.

From Record Catalogue No 14 1935

 

[FR518]

Well I 'took the pledge' after getting the huge Parky 9 very early version, and adjustable stand - no more big vices.

Except, except if a ---- or a --- turned up - so I was making a trip south to see family and family history last week, at the same time, without really looking at all, that auction site notified me of a couple of offers - about to put their email in spam when I looked a bit more closely - the b---s had profiled me so well that I had to look more closely, interesting and both collection only and on my route.

I don't think I'll find an early 'swivel-base, swivel-jaw' Parky (as owned by? Ardvark, or Matt, on here) in my price range.

However, --- now the owner of this swivel-jaw Peter Wright-style vice - 6in jaw, 80lbs, perfect condition - my Record 74 will have to make way:

I have to credit the fine gentleman/craftsman who used and cared for it for over 40 years - before which it had been on the bench of the 'boss of a moulding shop' in Kent. I have seen one similar on the internet (but smaller?) and a very fuzzy photo of the engraving in a Buck & Hickman catalogue of 1900. Good quality maroon repaint many years ago, but the underlayer is a dull mid-grey paint.

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Also en route this 3 3/4in jaw Parky - so what? - nice you may say (although a bit of the casting chipped off on the other side) well it's early (says PARKINSON'S and VICE thus) and has a two casting static side with a low 'waistline' and no model number, and unusually has all the cast-in script on both sides; but what interested me in particular was that unreadable (under the black overpaint) square framed marking - yes, it's one made by Cocker Bros of Sheffield who seem to have had a short licence to make these from 1885. I took a punt that this might be the case (vice slightly pricey for me) as impossible to read until up close. So buttress thread quick release vices were made in Sheff well before the Hampton family arrived with Record and Woden brands (let alone all the others along later). As owned, I believe by Wabbit? - who has one or more of most vices (advantage of starting before most of the rest of us - don't take the wrong meaning of anything I just wrote - Wabb).
Thickly overpainted with black gloss but again the underlay is a light/mid grey-green. 35lbs.

I'll enjoy it for now, but I think this has to eventually be donated to the Hawley Collection of Sheffield.


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Now, really, no more big vices (and I really have far too many small 'uns, but at least they 'tuck away').

I wasn’t sure on buying that red one as it looked like the main bar has a repair on it It was a fair drive away from me to risk it

 

[Craig-SM]

From Record Catalogue No 14 1935
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Thank you very much

 

[dannysheff]

I wasn’t sure on buying that red one as it looked like the main bar has a repair on it It was a fair drive away from me to risk it

So you spotted it too - (what I now think of as the Easterbrook and Allcard swivel-jaw vice) - so it was lucky for me I happened to be going that way. Also, as I said, it was a delight to meet the previous owner and get some history of the vice (from the bench of 'boss of a moulding shop in Kent') and see his own fine workshops in a mini forest in his huge back garden. The vice is really in perfect nick for its age (just one careful repaint). I haven't yet put it in its bench position, but will do after a 'busy period' for me just now.

 

[SteveB58]

Anyone else do this? Simply gripped in my vice it allows me to work at a comfortable height on bits and pieces. Find it particularly useful when sharpening chisels, or soldering.

Steve

 

[Arc Tourist]

Anyone else do this? Simply gripped in my vice it allows me to work at a comfortable height on bits and pieces. Find it particularly useful when sharpening chisels, or soldering.

Steve

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Good Idea, hadn't thought of that, but did something similar by making a table top to clamp in a Black & Decker Workmate for use as a shooting bench.

 

[SteveB58]

Good Idea, hadn't thought of that, but did something similar by making a table top to clamp in a Black & Decker Workmate for use as a shooting bench.

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Useful as it is, I have to admit that the first time I used it was because there was so much toot on the bench I had no space to do anything. Mater artium necessita as they say/.

 

[Arc Tourist]

Yeah, I know oh too well about the cluttered bench syndrome. I'm going to take your idea for an extra vice mounted work surface and cobble one up.

 

[Arc Tourist]

Well that was easy. I just made the front edge extend out past the vice handle to keep any interference with it to a minimum.

 

[SteveB58]

Well that was easy. I just made the front edge extend out past the vice handle to keep any interference with it to a minimum.

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You've got more toys in your workshop than me! Looks good, but wheres the kettle?
Steve

 

[Olderisbetter]

Another one i picked up now added to my welding bench, Record no.23 not knocked about just needs a paint.

 

[25.4_mechanic]

Another one i picked up now added to my welding bench, Record no.23 not knocked about just needs a paint.

It most definitely doesn't need a new coat of paint, it looks great.

Or are you afraid that in the future it will be in too "oil-poor an atmosphere"?

Of course, admittedly, just my attitude, I do not think that one could improve it with paint, rather the opposite ....

Of course you do what you think is right, that's clear, sorry.

Good luck,

EDIT: ... or how do you think you would be able to recreate these marks of honor of long, respectful use by generations of previous owners?

Carsten

--

 

[Olderisbetter]

It most definitely doesn't need a new coat of paint, it looks great.

Or are you afraid that in the future it will be in too "oil-poor an atmosphere"?

Of course, admittedly, just my attitude, I do not think that one could improve it with paint, rather the opposite ....

Of course you do what you think is right, that's clear, sorry.

Good luck,

EDIT: ... or how do you think you would be able to recreate these marks of honor of long, respectful use by generations of previous owners?
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Carsten

--

I normally find the right colour and do a paint job then others treat it with more respect, or thats the idea.

 

[FR518]

So you spotted it too - (what I now think of as the Easterbrook and Allcard swivel-jaw vice) - so it was lucky for me I happened to be going that way. Also, as I said, it was a delight to meet the previous owner and get some history of the vice (from the bench of 'boss of a moulding shop in Kent') and see his own fine workshops in a mini forest in his huge back garden. The vice is really in perfect nick for its age (just one careful repaint). I haven't yet put it in its bench position, but will do after a 'busy period' for me just now.

yes was watching for over a week Always great when u get a bit of history with stuff. It was abit far to go for just that but glad it went to a fellow collector

 

[Arc Tourist]

It most definitely doesn't need a new coat of paint, it looks great. ................................

....................................................marks of honor of long, respectful use by generations of previous owners?
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Carsten

--

" Marks of honour of long respectful use by generations of previous owners. " I like your statement, it has great merit.
Only a couple or so of the vices I have acquired over the years have shown this type of care, and most anything other than a good clean and lube would be to ruin their character.

 

[Arc Tourist]

You've got more toys in your workshop than me! Looks good, but wheres the kettle?
Steve

No room for a lounging area at the moment, but its just a few steps to the back door of the kitchen where donuts and other goodies await.
I don't want to take the chance of enticing unwanted vermin by food crumbs or drink residue that might be left behind, as I have things currently in storage which would be ruined if mice decided to take up residence in the garage.

 

[Craig-SM]

Also in agreement with leave as is, no need for painting.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

You've got more toys in your workshop than me! Looks good, but wheres the kettle?
Steve

You didn't spot the bottle opener, then?