Best Record-style vises available?
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Guys,
I’m nearly fed up with my, badly made, leg vise. I’d love to switch to a quick-release record style vise if possible. I’d prefer to purchase an older one (as Paul recommends), but there aren’t any near me on craigslist. eBay’s prices seem to have shot up recently for these items and the added shipping quickly pushes them out of my price range.
There are a few new options on Amazon which are ‘prime’ (meaning I have free shipping), but they are made in India or China.
What is a Sellers-fan to do? Do you guys have any recommendations for a good way to pick up a solid, reliable, somewhat-affordable quick-release Record style vice?
Nate
Nathan Wertman (Grand Junction, CO, USA, 81507)
“But ‘it will do’ is a very bad maxim, especially for a person learning a business; the right principle is to ask oneself, ‘is it as good as it can be made?’ or, at least, ‘is it as good as I can make it?’” - The Joiner and Cabinet Maker
Nathan, Older Record vises are becoming more difficult to come by but if you keep looking on line you may get lucky. Other than that you need to get around to antique fairs, flea markets and visit old tool dealers. Tag sales turn up some great tool bargains too. Call them in advance and inquire if possible to save yourself some time and effort. Here on the East coast there definitely more tools available. I have a friend from California who comes East to find and collect tools. I bought mine years ago and it’s still in beautiful shape. Good luck hunting.
Nathan,
I have no personal experience with the Eclipse vises currently sold by Woodcraft
(3 stores in CO), but they seem to be the closest in design and function to the Record vises, and have good reviews from people that have used the Records. There are others of similar design that release on a 1/2 turn of the handle instead of the “trigger” style of the Records.
I have a Record 7 inch that I picked up at a flea market sale for $20.00 and installed 10 inch oak liners that work well.
I’d like to have a larger vise, mainly for the bigger opening, and am seriously considering the Eclipse 10 inch.
Hope this helps some.
Best,
CraigSW Pennsylvania
I’m on a first name basis with every antique dealer in town who sells tools. They know what I’m looking for, we just don’t get them very often out here. If I were in Denver, that would be a different story but here in Grand Junction the pickings are a bit more slim.
I suppose I could try contacting some of the internet tool dealers who’s lists I’m subscribed to and see if they have anything.
Nathan Wertman (Grand Junction, CO, USA, 81507)
“But ‘it will do’ is a very bad maxim, especially for a person learning a business; the right principle is to ask oneself, ‘is it as good as it can be made?’ or, at least, ‘is it as good as I can make it?’” - The Joiner and Cabinet Maker
shrughttp://paulsellers.com/2012/06/questions-answered-veritas-vises/
Yost is still a US company but i think their woodworking vise parts are made off shore and assembled in the US, definitely more $$ than the veritas mentioned int the link above though: http://www.yostvises.com/specialty-vises/woodworkers.html
New Brunswick, Canada
Barry, that was exactly what I was looking for. Looks like LeeValley.com is even having a free shipping promotion. I just wanted some indication that these vises were ‘good enough’. Looks like Paul is a fairly big fan.
Thanks!
Nathan Wertman (Grand Junction, CO, USA, 81507)
“But ‘it will do’ is a very bad maxim, especially for a person learning a business; the right principle is to ask oneself, ‘is it as good as it can be made?’ or, at least, ‘is it as good as I can make it?’” - The Joiner and Cabinet Maker
Glad i could help!
New Brunswick, Canada
Nathan I bought a 10″ Eclipse vise from Highland Woodworking earlier this year and I have been very pleased with it.
Memphis, Tennessee
Keep in mind the difference between the Veritas vice and the Record/Eclipse. The Veritas (and Jorgensen, I believe) have a quick release that works by backing off the screw and then pulling on the jaw. You cannot, with this style, open the vice a bit by unscrewing. On the Record style, the screw works in both directions, advancing or opening the jaws. You squeeze a lever for the quick release and pull the jaw.
This isn’t a winner / loser thing, just a difference. The Veritas/Jorgensen bugged me for half a week when I used it, then I came to like it. On occasion I wished I could back off a little without a complete cycle of release /pull/retighten, but on the other hand it was really nice to be able to rapidly flick the bar over and have a completely free vice.
I have a cheap Groz vice that is Record style and, on that vice, I can find it difficult to grab the release lever and pull, but I think that is because it is a cheap vice and is quite stiff. I’ve not gotten to work with an Eclipse and would like to know if it is smooth and easy in this regard or do you sometimes feel like you are pulling a heavy mass with your fingertips (squeezing the release lever) and having a bit of a struggle?
Ed, with my Eclipse vise the quick release would stick a bit at first, but after a couple weeks of use it started functioning really smooth. I think it had to do with the grease it was packed with for shipping. I have since cleaned it up a few times and sprayed it down with WD40. No more issue. It works very smooth.
I personally likes the trigger release, and being able to back open the jaws with the screw if I choose.
Memphis, Tennessee
I am lucky and bought a Record 52 1/2 many years ago from Highland Woodworking which is a beast. I was thinking about selling it as I was going to build a Nicholson Style Bench. But I am glad i didn’t and built Paul’s instead which thus far I really like. And the Record Vise is a great vise, sure hope you can locate one. I have heard good things about the Yost vise’s also but have no experience with them.
Steve
Steve Massie, I live in the great State of Florida, US
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