Vice restoration and fitting
- This topic has 10 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 3 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
I have just acquired a record 53e vice and a parkinson perfect 15 vice. can anyone point me to somewhere that will show me how to restore them, what to look for and how to install them. Very new to all this and not having much luck with google so far.
mick
I don’t have printed instructions for installing a Record 53 and as you described, Google didn’t cough any up either. That said, the 53 is a pretty standard under-bench mounting vice. Recessing the fixed jaw is an option or you can leave it proud. Depending on the bench thickness you may need to shim it so the jaws don’t extend above the benchtop. I’ve seen them mounted both with lag bolts from underneath (easier, especially if you can turn the bench onto its top) or with through bolts which must have clearance holes so the bolt heads are below the bench surface. If you go this route, be sure to leave the heads recessed enough so that you can flatten the bench without hitting them.
I’m not on a first-name basis with the Parkinson Perfect 15.
As to restoring them the 53 should dis-assemble and you can de-rust using any number of methods. Then polish the rods so the vice runs true and a little paraffin on the thread for smooth turning. I wouldn’t grease the vice, it just gets everywhere. Paraffin is more controlled in its application. You may need to replace the cotter pins outright as they might be brittle with rust and could just snap when you straighten the leg to remove them.
The quick-release mechanism is pretty simple, just watch out for the spring that you don’t loose it. Clean the half-nut threads and re-assemble.
Post some pictures of the vices as you progress.
p.s. found a picture of the P.P. 15 and it should disassemble very much like the Record. Remove the cotter pin at the end, remove any bolts holding the tail plate and slide the jaw and rods free. The bar that connects the half-nut to the lever on the front should slide out of the half-nut. Then you can examine how the rods are held into the front piece and proceed with their removal.
Rob, thank you very much this is very useful information. On inspection the record just needed a good clean and it is working, albeit the quick release does not work. It is now installed as a vice was needed and it fulfils the task. The parkinson will now be slowly and lovingly restored and your kind guidance will provide me with the knowledge and confidence to get on with it. Eventually I think I shall build a new bench and then the record will get a full restore with the experience gained from the parkinson project.
thanks again
Mick
Hi Mick
I found a tip on google for fitting an under bench vice which I think probably saved me a huge amount of hassle. Essentially you take a bit of two by four, or any sturdy piece of stock which is long enough, hold it up against the bench and mark on it where the top of the vice would come to (in my case flush with the top of the bench). Then, when you are ready to fit the vice, you clamp the stock in the vice (i.e. tighten the vice onto the stock) with the top of the vice lined up with the mark you previously made on the stock. This effectively gives you a leg which holds the weight of the vice, and holds it at exactly the correct height, whilst you manoeuvre it into position. This worked like a dream when I tried it and was much easier that either turning the bench over or having to find another pair of hands. Very simple and obvious when you think about it, but then the best tips always are.
Cheers
Jon
Yorkshireman currently living in Hampshire
Guys all of this is already posted on this site. We are going to end up with a hole load of threads all on the same topic. 😉
https://woodworkingmasterclasses.com/topic/workbench-vise/https://woodworkingmasterclasses.com/topic/workbench-vice/
https://woodworkingmasterclasses.com/topic/got-my-record-53-today/
Thanks everyone. Sorry I did not spot the other threads! All great help and now to put your advice to the test……
Mick
Very best with it Mick, I’m still looking for a vice to finnish my bench
When I was fitting the vice I took it apart so that I only had the rear jaw and mechanism to handle (about half the weight). I also removed the well board so I had much easier access to the bolts fixing the vice to the worktop, and also easy access to refit the circlip to the end of the screw when the vice was secured in place.
Dewi
I’ve had the Lee Valley blue quick release vice (same that Paul uses in the New York school) for a couple of months and I quite like it. I prefer the Records he has in the Wales school, but I can’t get one here in the USA.
Just fitted a Record 53 myself and found this link quite helpful, especially the bit about clamping a sturdy plank in the vice to support it during fitting.
http://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/vices-fitting-a-record-bench-vice-t25365.html
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.