Workbench Vise
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I was wondering if Paul said anything about a workbench vise?
Any info, what to look out for what to go for?
Thanks
We seem to be on a parallel path here Mark as I’m just looking for one myself.
Paul did blog about the Eclipse one here https://paulsellers.com/2016/06/on-vises-part-i/ and from what I’ve read from Paul, the comments left on his blog and other reviews leads me to believe it’s a good buy.
I’m lucky as I just received some Amazon gift vouchers as part of a new mobile contract otherwise I’d be saving up for a while. So my mind is pretty much made up that I will buy the 9″ Eclipse. All I need to do now is build a bench……it might be a while!
I did pass on a really nice Record 52 & 1/2 QR at a car boot sale last year, it was only ÂŁ30 but my car was quite far away-I’m still kicking myself!!
Hope that’s helpful for you.
Best regards
Craig
Agreed, I’d either buy the eclipse or a Record 52 1/2 if you can find a good bargain. Make it has the quick release. I don’t think I’d buy one off eBay, the prices are so high that I reckon you’re better off buying new.
Craig, I laughed at your comment about how far away your car was, mine was similar and these things are bloody heavy. I left my wife by the entrance with it while I went and got the car!
Brilliant, thanks both for the recommendations
Yes, Craig, it does seem that we are on the same path right now as I too need to acquire/build a workbench as well.
Mark,
I use a Wilton that I picked up used for very little. Shape and color vary from Record/Eclipse/etc., but functionality is similar.
Because it was used, it didn’t come with mounting instructions. It turns out that it was designed for a 2″ thick top, and with my 3″ top the dog doesn’t extend to the surface of the bench. I have work-arounds such that I’m not unhappy with my purchase, but might have planned some details differently had I realized this limitation.
For Paul, who doesn’t prefer dogging, this isn’t much of an issue, but it is to me. You’ll have to decide for yourself.
The Highland Hardware website has instructions available online for all three versions of the Eclipse. These indicate appropriate bench thickness for each. It’s worth is reading prior to purchase.
Good luck,
Rick G.
Thanks for the tip Richard, I’ll check out that website and yes, I think using dogs would be a good idea
I did think of that idea but there were double yellows and despite it being a sleepy Norfolk village it’d be just my luck to get a ticket and the bargain would have cost me a fortune 🙂
Hello Mark,
The name Record springs immediately to mind, but as you’ve said, the prices on eBay reflect their popularity.
I did find some large, good-looking vices (with Quick-Release) from other manufacturers, at bargain prices. Although I know nothing about any other maker. They looked as though they’d withstood 40 years of use pretty-well. From what I remember they were bottle-green and saying Sheffield.
If you search for ‘used workbench’, these sometimes come with the vice still attached. Especially when someone is wanting to reclaim garage space and has no use for the vice.
I found mine on Gumtree, so the competition was limited to local buyers, and I avoided hefty Postage costs.
Regards
Alan
Thanks for the advice Alan
I use a standard woodworking vise, this:
https://www.utensiliprofessionali.com/spindel.html
The sond vise from the top. It hasn’t got the quick release mechanism but it’s sturdy made in Germany and has worked flawlessy til now. It costed to me less money than an Eclipse.
Tranlastion in the page linked above is ” large face vise”.
I went for an older record 52 1/2 bought on ebay. My workbench is in progress, so hope to install it soon. To marry the old and new, I am also considering to put in a veritas inset vice, does anybody have experience with this?
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For what its worth, i have both a new eclipse (amazon) and an old record (ebay), both 9″ qr, and i far prefer the old eclipse. It needed some tlc but the end result is more solid than the new eclipse. I wonder what could go wrong with an eclipse that can’t be fixed..?
Also, yes, paul did blog on restoring a vise, and also a 3 part (i think) on installing one. A little sarching on ‘vise’ should bring them up.
Mic
I found an old Columbian on Ebay and the seller was from the next town over. I happened to get lucky not having to pay the shipping. I soaked it in a 5 gallon bucket with water and the Works for a couple hours. I put a coat of paint on it and oiled everything up and mounted it. I love it. It does everything I want. I’m pretty sure Paul uses an old Record vise. But the price is crazy on Ebay and then you have shipping.
Anyone recognise what vise this is and if this particular model is any good?
http://www.gumtree.com/p/clamps-vices/un-used-vise/1219558147
Cragglerock I think. You have the vises mixed up. The eclipse is the better one and the York with the reversing handle is the one he was unhappy with. I have the York and have had a lot of problems with it ,the release nut quit , replac d under warrenty, and lately the guide rods came loose and it was wracking. I took it apart and cleaned it,reassembled it, and found there are a couple bolts into the end of the guide rods. Tightening them with the vise closed fixed all my problems but it is an annoyance but an easy repair. If the loose rods persist I will lock tight them. It is 6 months old and does get regular use . I believe most of the problem is from lack of quality control at the mfg.. When it works it’s good. But as Paul says ,100 years without service is what to expect.
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