CountryGent Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 Hi, As the time draws near for me to start doing my 200TDi conversion I am starting to draw up a list of tools. Now I have a nice sturdy bench (if I could get to it to use ) but I have longed to have a vice. Sad but true . Now I have hopefully covered off the threads so I can ask if any one has suggestions for a sensibly priced but sturdy vice for general garage use - holding things whilst sawing, grinding, bending, heating, filing and may be, just may be WELDING Don't ask why but if the vice is available in red so much the better (so it will match my Nato tow hitch when I finish it ) but I don't know what I should look for..what size is good/bad, is a swivel base good? How big do the jaws need to be, tonnage etc etc.... I'm sure that my lack of all things mechanically minded will shine through so be gentle, I'm still learning! Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicTheOrange90 Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 Have you a workbench to put the vice on ? If not then something like this might be OK to start ... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/early-70s-wooden-wor...3A1%7C294%3A100 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CountryGent Posted July 10, 2009 Author Share Posted July 10, 2009 Have you a workbench to put the vice on ?If not then something like this might be OK to start ... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/early-70s-wooden-wor...3A1%7C294%3A100 Yep as mentioned above have a very nice sturdy bench, it's the vice advice I'm after.... Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hybrid_From_Hell Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 Personally I would aviod new. Go with something oldish and built "Brick****House" stylee Record are good, also buy as big as you can accomodate Not local to you, but a great place for these (they prob would have 30+ records in stock) is Leeside Tools in Yapton, West Sussex, also a really big HD Record SH vice with svielly base can be less than some chinese monkey metal nonsense that goes "POP" when using it fior UJs in prop repalcements . Maybe worth a trip down ? I have a record 8 inch jaws swival base from there, bear in mind jaws etc can all be replaced with new HTH Nige Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highway_Star Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 I've two. A big old Record in the garage, was my dads. He bought is from a techy teacher when he was at school, the bloke was emigrating to Oz and clearing out. Anyroad it wasn't new then (early 50's) and is still going strong. I've used it to press out trailing arm bushes before now! The other one in on the bench in my clean workshop (radio shack, darkroom, electronics blowing up room etc). Cost me ten quid from Aldi and much to my surprise I haven't broken it yet. So, for what you're after I'd go down the old Record route. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Henson Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 I agree with getting an old Record vice. I was given mine - 5-inch quick release engineers vice. It was rusted and siezed up. I stripped it and cleaned it up and it works perfectly now. Les. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThreeSheds Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 I did up a rusty Record too - it was £10 off eBay and stripping, painting and re-assembling it was very satisfying. For a while it was my pride and joy and regularly got wiped down at the end of the day, but now it just does it's job when needed and hides away under a pile of crp the rest of the time - poor thing! Mine is only 4" but it does what I need, and anyway - it's how you use it yeah? Personally I would always go for a quick-release, but you need to make sure that it is secure when tightened hard: I once dropped a heavy 6" hydraulic cylinder when a QR vice let go while being tightened.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
secondjeremy Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 I bought a Clarke Multi-Vice earlier this year and am very pleased with it. http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/...-5in-multi-vice I find the swivel handy for allowing me to rest long items on the bench which helps stop them slipping while I'm working on them, and the pipe grip is handy for exhaust systems - and even allows gearbox shafts to be held securely without using excessive jaw loads and the consequent risk of crushing them. The locking systems work well - but obviously its not as secure as a fixed vice. And its RED (well mine was) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bishbosh Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 Another vote for Record. Plenty on ebay. Quick release is a "nice to have" in my opinion, not a "must have". They won't be red though, but B&Q can fix that for you There have been several reports on here of people breaking vices, but IIRC none of them were Record Vices. You WILL abuse your vice, don't kid yourself otherwise!! so make sure you get one that will take the abuse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuck Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 ^^^^^^^^^ Record for me to after smashing two Clarke pieces of crud, bigger the better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 I got given a FORTIS Steel Co. vice, 6"+ jaws, quick release and very heavy duty (read: able to put Montego wheel bearings in with it, using a scaffold pole on the handle). Very very pleased with it, had it 10+ years now but it must be 30 years old at a guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madcowz Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 Just been given a Samsonia Perfect 37 vice from a friend. Big, heavy (takes a two handed lift), swivel base, quick release and built to last. Pictured next to my "normal" vice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest noggy Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 I have 2 records "24"s i believe they have a 5 inch jaw, and they are bloomin good! I use a small draper vice for smaller jobs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonkaIIa Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 I purchased a Records vice off e-bay for 99p, then paid no more then £8.00 for P&P. Just use parcel2go or interparcel, can go up to 30kgs, just make sure the seller will pack the item if not the couriers will not collect. Regards Gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CountryGent Posted July 12, 2009 Author Share Posted July 12, 2009 Personally I would aviod new.Go with something oldish and built "Brick****House" stylee Record are good, also buy as big as you can accomodate Not local to you, but a great place for these (they prob would have 30+ records in stock) is Leeside Tools in Yapton, West Sussex, also a really big HD Record SH vice with svielly base can be less than some chinese monkey metal nonsense that goes "POP" when using it fior UJs in prop repalcements . Maybe worth a trip down ? I have a record 8 inch jaws swival base from there, bear in mind jaws etc can all be replaced with new HTH Nige Well have just had a look on fleaby and found lots ranging from what I can afford to well over what at the moment I can't! Have found this little number - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...alenotsupported so will just have to see if only for the fact that the thought of a Chinese monkey metal thing in my garage going pop or otherwise doesn't fill me with confidence! Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CountryGent Posted July 12, 2009 Author Share Posted July 12, 2009 I agree with getting an old Record vice. I was given mine - 5-inch quick release engineers vice. It was rusted and siezed up. I stripped it and cleaned it up and it works perfectly now.Les. Unfortunately..it always happens to some one else - guess I don't know the right people! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CountryGent Posted July 12, 2009 Author Share Posted July 12, 2009 A BIG thank you to every one who replied. Looks like I need to find some new friends who have useful stuff they want to give away to a deserving cause like me! Outside of that I have been shown the light and now just need to get the right price on ebay for a nice Record one and then as Bish Bosh said get the colour sorted at B & Q! Thanks Gavin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barmiebrumie Posted July 23, 2009 Share Posted July 23, 2009 A BIG thank you to every one who replied. Looks like I need to find some new friends who have useful stuff they want to give away to a deserving cause like me! Outside of that I have been shown the light and now just need to get the right price on ebay for a nice Record one and then as Bish Bosh said get the colour sorted at B & Q! Thanks Gavin try calling into any old factories that are closing, thats how I got mine its an old 5' record with quick release nice bit of kit :-) John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swanny Posted July 30, 2009 Share Posted July 30, 2009 If you have the time go to farmers auctions there is allways plenty there. swanny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Warman Posted July 30, 2009 Share Posted July 30, 2009 I found a record vice at a boot sale one sunday. The guy wanted a tenner for but I ummed and he knocked it down to a fiver straight away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orgasmic Farmer Posted July 30, 2009 Share Posted July 30, 2009 I have a record 36 6" quuick release vice and can honestly say its the best bit of kit I have ever owned for doing the job it was designed for. These babies have a RRP of over £800 but got mine off Ebay for £80 in very good condition. Had a cheap one before and it wouldn't grip for toffee! Pays your money and takes your choice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollythelw Posted July 30, 2009 Share Posted July 30, 2009 Paramo No3 going cheap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freeagent Posted July 30, 2009 Share Posted July 30, 2009 same as everyone else, I've got a huge old record vice I bought at an auction for £25... I think the same one new is about £400... its probably 30 years old but the only thing wrong with it is someone has bent the handle by putting a scaffold tube over it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astro_Al Posted July 30, 2009 Share Posted July 30, 2009 If you want something that won't break when you bash things, you can't beat a 'leg vice' - often pretty cheap on ebay. Al. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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