Ahh wonderful Slough. I did my very first teaching practice there. The place is, was, dominated by the smell from the Mars factory. What made Slough even more memorable for me is midway through my placement I got an early morning phone call telling me the roof had blown off the school, and not to bother coming in.The other three vices ---
the Dicas Slough is a rather rough diecast zinc alloy with steel screw and jaws. (I remember from a while back at least two diecasting firms in the giant Slough Industrial Estate) - I've seen these around.
the one at the back is a high quality high pressure diecast zinc alloy vice (pretty sure HPDC from the parting lines as well as material), solid, also with a well fitted and machined screw and jaws of steel - I was told ex-navy (?? maybe less magnetic?, not much weight saving)
the final one is prob an apprentice piece - nicely machined from solid billet of aluminium alloy.
fyi diecasting makes use of the much lower melting points of these alloys (5-700C) than steel (1000++) so you can make a permanent steel die to cast many light alloy parts - But usually v pricey to make the die.
Yes Mars one side and Brylcreem the other, with about a thousand businesses in between - mostly trading, but quite a bit of manufacturing, mostly small to medium - said at one time to be biggest such estate in Europe.Ahh wonderful Slough. I did my very first teaching practice there. The place is, was, dominated by the smell from the Mars factory. What made Slough even more memorable for me is midway through my placement I got an early morning phone call telling me the roof had blown off the school, and not to bother coming in.
Re your possible ex navy vice. Can't say I ever saw anything like it of any ship I worked on - and I must have worked on 30 -40 over the years. When working on minesweepers/hunters, there were rather strict rules about magnetic tools and we were issued with a stainless steel tool kit, but as for the vices I don't remember.
here are the internal design elements of the unicorn
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Indeed it is. It had been an estate for immigrants. Firstly predominantly Welsh, or so I was told, these were then replaced by Asians displeased from Uganda, who then moved on .Each setting up shops and businesses. Mind you, not surprised that they left, Slough is horrible. As Betjeman once said, "Come friendly bombs and fall on Slough".Yes Mars one side and Brylcreem the other, with about a thousand businesses in between - mostly trading, but quite a bit of manufacturing, mostly small to medium - said at one time to be biggest such estate in Europe.
Wasn't convinced by navy story, but a well made vice - why zinc alloy, I don't know.
While the Asians may have been displeased, they were displaced from Uganda.Indeed it is. It had been an estate for immigrants. Firstly predominantly Welsh, or so I was told, these were then replaced by Asians displeased from Uganda, who then moved on .Each setting up shops and businesses. Mind you, not surprised that they left, Slough is horrible. As Betjeman once said, "Come friendly bombs and fall on Slough".
What's the model number of your Columbian, looks like a fine vice in very good order, I've never understood how the swiveling rear jaw can actually hold triangular shaped objects thoughHEADS UP !
While having my morning coffee, I usually can't resist looking at what's on the bay of evil, and today spotted this vice with a swivel jaw feature hiding under the dark paint. It looks like my Columbian vise, but with larger 4 1/2" jaws. Nothing to do with me, but thought it might be of interest here ?
It's listed as "Old Vintage Engineers Swivel Vice" item number 134183047853
Here is a photo of a vice I have which looks very similar.
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What's the model number of your Columbian, looks like a fine vice in very good order, I've never understood how the swiveling rear jaw can actually hold triangular shaped objects though
Its a 403 1/2What's the model number of your Columbian, looks like a fine vice in very good order, I've never understood how the swiveling rear jaw can actually hold triangular shaped objects though
That looks old
they might list it for that price but does it sell? plenty of stuff on ebay that dont sell ecause its to high pricedVice restoration is taking off down under, saw this tasty looker for $270
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Taken off? More like crash landed.Vice restoration is taking off down under, saw this tasty looker for $270
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