Record Vice
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- This topic has 9 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 7 years ago by jakegevorgian.
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17 April 2017 at 3:02 am #311146
Hi,
I looked at a record vice yesterday and was about to offer $250 for it, however I backed out thinking that it may not be an authentic record.
This idea came to me after reading Paul Sellers blog post about restoration of a record vice and apparently from the comment section of the blog I came to a conclusion that record has been losing quality after 1970s.
The vice I saw in person had cast Record 52 ½ ED and made in England, however the cardboard box had a date 4/25/2002.
My question is, is this an authentic record vice or is it a fakevice.
Please help.
Please also see the pictures for reference
Attachments:
You must be logged in to view attached files.Not sure but it looks identical to my Eclipse (which could very well be the same thing as a Record with a different nameplate on it). I only got a 7″ but even the 10″ is well under $200. Everything bout it looks the same to me though.
http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/eclipse-7-quick-release-bench-vise.aspx
Even cheaper at Woodcraft…https://www.woodcraft.com/products/eclipse-9-quick-release-vise
17 April 2017 at 6:24 pm #311158Thanks David for the links.
The seller is asking $350 for the record vice I mentioned, however now after reading the eclipse vice info and inexpensive price, I think even my $200 offer is an overprice.
Interestingly Eclipse vice has a similar thread rod to Record vice.
How regularly do you use the eclipse vice? Does it have issue with the quick release?
Unless the “vintage” nature of the vise appeals to you, I’d say save your money, get a 10″ eclipse or the 10.5 inch Veritas
No way to tell from the pictures if it’s truly authentic.
17 April 2017 at 6:50 pm #311161It should be stamped record on the face of it above the handle. Will he send you a picture of it I have the 10 inch eclipse and like it a lot.I replaced my lee valley with it and if i push it closed on a piece of wood i can get it to skip but if you dont push it tight on the wood
It doesnt do the skipping thing. You would not do this if you hadnt had the lee vally which has to be pushed against the work and then turn the handle two turns.
Highland woodworking used to carry the record and quit when it went to record/ irwin i believe.I use it all the time. I’ve noticed the skip thing that can occasionally happen when initially clamping a piece in place but I can usually anticipate when that will happen–it’s like the vise just needs to pop to catch itself when first securing the piece but it doesn’t happen at all once the vise is secured and I can tighten as hard as I can turn (i.e. it doesn’t happen in the middle of my work). I just assumed it was a bit of a design nuance, but nothing that concerns me (though the first time it happened it did startle me a bit). The quick release is convenient b/c it is the little trigger mechanism so it is convenient to use with one hand–squeezing while pushing/pulling the vise in/out in rapid fashion. My only wish is that the mouth was larger but that’s really a function of me having the 7″ and not a larger one. But even then, there are workarounds with clamps and such that can greatly improve its versatility.
I had originally purchased a large Jorgensen 10″ and was all bulled up on it but the mounting plate flanges outward and thus would not fit in the space I had planned for it. So I ended up saving $100+ and frankly am none the wiser except I don’t have a pretty wooden vise handle. Big deal.
18 April 2017 at 3:04 am #311164Ed, Dean and David,
Thank you so much for the important tips.
Right now I’m using an American made Craftsman vice and it works great. I just feel the need of the second bench at my home garage (more work needs to be done after my day woodwork)
So I think I’ll just give the Eclipse a try since it does look dandy.
I will probably get the 10″ with 14″ opening, but like David said, even with smaller vices there are ways to clap the wood down. Usually I rest the piece I’m working on my bench (36″ deep bench top) and then put a wedge or a shim at one end. This allows me to drop down the piece (usually ¾” thick material) into my vice. So I just work around it as needed.
The only reason I’ll get a 10″ is to speed up some clamping of small boxes.
By the way with leather on the vice jaw I usually don’t apply a lot of clamping pressure–it really holds tight enough for quick smoothing or joinery cutting.
Thanks again!
18 April 2017 at 7:37 pm #311176Yes david i believe the slip is only when shutting it and not having it comletely seated in the threads. Either stop before hitting the wood or back turn it a bit to settle the qr devise.
About the best new production vise i have used.19 April 2017 at 4:01 pm #311300Hello Jake,
Paul said that they where probably still making Record vices in the UK in 2002. The old Record vices (pre Record Irwin) do have the track record of lasting for decades without issue. None of the new ones have that yet, and it is hard to know if they where made to the same quality standards. A new one like the one you picture is a great vice. Hard to say how much they are worth.
There is quite a lot of information available at Paul’s blog. Have a look here:
http://paulsellers.com/?s=viceGood to know that other people are having success with other vices such as the Eclipse. We have one we are using and with time will be able to see how it puts up with extended use.
Happy woodworking
20 April 2017 at 5:55 am #311321Thanks Philip,
I just purchased the Record vice today (I think cost doesn’t matter at this point.)
Please give my thanks and best wishes to Paul for the great tips and all the help.
J
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