Show us your bench vice(s)

[Maker]

It appears that Dawn are the only manufacturers. The capacity is not great, even the largest 6" one, but would be useful in some circumstances, full grip of a long piece standing up, rather than an inch on one end of the jaws.

A rotary Swindens vice would do that too, and function like a normal vice when you need it.

 

[MattF]

A rotary Swindens vice would do that too, and function like a normal vice when you need it.

When you rotate the Swindens though, your jaws are vertical, so you're back to having a narrow gripping surface.

Herbert's used to make a rather queer looking offset vice too.

 

[Maker]

The one on the right is cool and less than £20.

 

[CRB]

The one on the right is cool and less than £20.

According to this, that is £656.70 in 2005s money. I picked 1930 as an advert date.

 

[atconut]

This is my biggest vice 150mm or 6" in old money you won't see many of these in this country

 

[atconut]

try this with a front sliding jaw 10inch easy and it's above the bench not hanging on the front

 

[Turbo]

For anyone wanting to paint a record vice in original blue colour tractol Aircraft Blue is a very close match. It is an industrial enamel finish which does need a few days to fully harden (you can speed that up by using a hotpress) but it dries to a fairly tough finish.

 

[Maker]

Those rear sliding vices are really nice, I'm gonna have to try one one day.

 

[atconut]

you'll be lucky to find one Maker they do come up for sale on germen ebay but they are pricey and they are too heavy to ship

 

[CRB]

With you there young Maker, very nice things indeed.

Almost too good to use.

 

[Maker]

How far does the front jaw overhang the edge of the bench?

Just noticed the holdfast behind it, what holds that in place on the bench?

 

[atconut]

with a rear jaw when you open it right up you need to remember to move your pot of tea or it gets crushed against the wall

 

[atconut]

never checked i'll have a look

 

[eSCHEn]

with a rear jaw when you open it right up you need to remember to move your pot of tea or it gets crushed against the wall

Don't ask you how you know that eh?

 

[atconut]

about three inch it's not the bench more the body of the vice where the bottom dovetail starts if you know what I mean

 

[atconut]

How far does the front jaw overhang the edge of the bench?

Just noticed the holdfast behind it, what holds that in place on the bench?

the holdfast thing is made by woden it goes through a hole in the bench. brilliant things for holding things flat on the bench. I've got holes in the front of the bench so I can hold things vertical. you need a thick bench though

 

[Maker]

I've never seen them like that before, I've only seen one piece forges ones used by woodworkers and blacksmiths, instead of tightening the screw you thump it with a mallet on top. To loosen you thump the back of them.

 

[brewdexta]

the holdfast thing is made by woden it goes through a hole in the bench. brilliant things for holding things flat on the bench. I've got holes in the front of the bench so I can hold things vertical. you need a thick bench though

I'm on a one day blacksmith course soon, a christmans pressie. I'm going to see if I can make some holdfasts if they'll let me, I'm making a large split roubo wordwoking bench when the timber is dry probably later this year, it would be a perfect home for them.

 

[atconut]

I really can't praise the holdfast thing enough. It's got me out of the brown stuff loads of times from flat plate to box section if you grip it to the bench with that it won't move. i'd not be without it

 

[MattF]

try this with a front sliding jaw 10inch easy and it's above the bench not hanging on the front

I like how they've kept the leadscrew enclosed for as far as possible. Not a make I've ever heard of, Gressel. That's the first I've ever seen. It's an impressive looking piece of kit.