Anyone recommend a vice?

No, not gambling or hookers. I need to get a decent vice to complete my new workbench. I'm after something fairly big. Have had a look on Machine Mart and there seems to be some decent ones there. Never bought one before so am after some advice recommendations. The ones that pivot look useful - are there any downsides?

 

machine mart ones are made in china and pap quality

get on ebay and get a old record brand one ...much better and wont cost the earth

 

Absolutely 100% with you on this.

 

clarke stuff is made in essex. epping.

which is probably worse than china haha

tbh ive not had a bad experience with clarke

 

Can't go wrong with a Record. Good strong vices. Seen in many engineering workshops

 

Sweet. Cheers guys. Definately steer away from Machine Mart then.

 

when u look on ebay go for a old greasy one theyre made out of proper stuff

the newer irwin /record ones aint so good

should get one for cheap when one comes up localy

 

managed to get mine from work. We have quite a few laying about there. Clean up nice.

 

Irwin have bought out Record, and are selling at least one cheap vice under the Record-Irwin name.
Look for the following:
Just below the front, moving jaw, there is a number cast in.
No.4 - No.5 - No.6 etc for normal vices.
No.23 - No.24 - No.25 for quick release vices.
Some come with small anvils behind the fixed jaw.
You can still get OE spares for these vices.
The company I worked for in Sheffield used to make parts for Record-Ridgeway. Their drawings and quality requirements were second to none!

 

Is the model number of a Record vice related to it's size? e.g is a No.1 the smallest, No.2 bigger, No.3 bigger again?

 

B&Q do a record one for 12.99 - not huge but fairly heavy bit of metal for the price

 

Depends, No.5 = 5" No.6 = 6" No.8 = 8".

But,
No. 23 is 4 1/2" No. 25 is 6" No. 1 is 3" No. 3 is 4" No.4 is 4 1/2"

Confusing or what?

 

I could only find this one for 29.99...
b&q


Any opinions on this one...
ebay

 

b&q wont sell the old school hardcore slags

 

Ah, yeah that's the one I have but was from Focus - at the time B&Q did it too for the same price but yeah try Focus as I thought it was cheap!

 

Any opinions on this one...
ebay[/QUOTE]

Now that vice is older than me. I would buy it at that price!

 

I'm trying to get them to end the auction early as I could do with collecting it tomorrow. You think it should be pretty good then - especially for the money?

 

I bought a "record"vice from ebay for about 25 quick release one 6" jaw. Heavy aint the word for them

 

Don't really know for sure. As I said it's older than me. I started my apprenticeship in 1966 and the only vices I remember look just like the modern ones.
I would be willing, only for myself, to buy it because it looks interesting.