Record 52 1/2 Spring Question
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Good morning,
This is my first post here, although I have been around for a while.
I’m working on restoring a Record 52 1/2 vise. My assumption is that it is a late 60s model, not super rare or collectable, but will be a great tool for my new workbench build.
I took it apart yesterday to clean it as it was seized and rusted together. It is cleaning up nicely, but I have a question about the quick-release spring. I believe it is pretty bent out of shape and should be fixed. I attached some pictures below.
My proposed plan of action is to pop it into a metalworking vise, force it to its original shape, heat it with a heat gun and let it cool. Would this work? I do not want to ruin/break the part as finding replacements might be difficult.
Thank you for your expertise and support.
Andras from Canada
As long as the quick release moved okay when it was on the vise I wouldn’t mess around with it.
The spring just provides tension, as long as the bar doesn’t catch on it you should be fine.
If it is catching i would try to source a replacement rather than try to heat up and bend the one you have.
I’ve had no luck reshaping those springs.
There are some for sale on eBay UK at the moment.
I’ve restored a few of these vises, they are great. If anyone reading this is looking for one I have a fully restored 1940s 52 1/2 for sale at the moment!
Darren.
Hi Darren – thank you for your response.
The QR lever did move, but the whole vise was stuck together, so I do not know how well it worked or whether the spring interfered with the bar.
I guess I will clean everything up, put it together and test it first.
You could try rubbing the rails with 80 grit and then a few finer grits if the vise doesn’t slide easily.
Have a look at my Instagram, I’ve posted some photos of vise restorations on there and some tips I think.
https://www.instagram.com/tenjinwoodworking/
There’s a knack to getting the QR lever tensioned, message me if you would like me to tell you how I do it.
Cheers
Darren.
As one of the other Vintage record vise enthusiasts here I would just second Darren’s advice. When I got my ‘40s 52-1/2 over from England it was in pretty rough shape, but careful cleaning and a little work on the rails like Darren suggests had it running like new in no time. I’ve simply not found a better woodworking vise.
Final report: got it cleaned, lubricated and put it together. The spring works well. Took me a few tries to figure out how to put the QR mechanism together properly. Everything works smoothly, super happy.
Now I have to build a new bench and install this beauty.
Thank you for the help!
That looks great! Really pleased for you. 😀👍
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