Thinking about a workshop vice

Post by **Nicola&Tony** » 18 Oct 2008, 22:26

Thinking about buying a vice and have been looking at Machine Mart website. Didn't realise there'd be so many to choose from and such a wide variation in prices. Has anyone got any advice or recommendations?

Swivel base or fixed?

What do the different sizes refer to (e.g. 75mm, 125mm, 150mm), is it the length of the jaws or the distance that they'll separate by, or something else?

Some have a small built-in anvil, is this any good or a waste of time?

Grateful for any info.

Tony

Post by **Nicola&Tony** » 18 Oct 2008, 22:40

I don't know any of the answers that you seek . But I just thought I'd say hello!

N x

Post by **Steve T** » 18 Oct 2008, 23:11

75 is 3 inch 100 is 4 inch etc this refers to jaw width, opening capacity is about the same as width, depth around 70mm on a 100. The bigger the vice the more scope there is to grip and allow for longer items to pass by the lower body of vice. In my experience 100m vice is good for 95% of what you need IMO. Swivel vice is usefull but relies on good anchorage, + point on this model is when not in use you can turn it away from the edge of you bench so you don't catch or bang your self against it when passing. Built in anvil is usefull and there is always one on most. Try the screwfix site there is a lot to chose from on there. 4" swivel for £29.99 + £5.00 delivery. Also trade counters open around the country so you can pick up on the spot.

Hope that is enough info to guide you

Steve

Post by **minke** » 19 Oct 2008, 00:48

Ya gotta go for 4" with anvil...its just a flat spot where you can do a lot of pien work

did I spell that right

I have found mine sooo useful i have two, one each end of the bench ...to hold big stuff.

Think I got both for £3-00..car boots are good places for quality 2nd hand tools.

Kev

Post by **jamesc76** » 19 Oct 2008, 06:57

Another good place to get them from is the bigger army surpless place's! General rule is as big as you can get and mount it at about elbow hight so when filing you'll get the job flater

Post by **T'Onion** » 19 Oct 2008, 07:29

drop toolsandtat a line , bet he's got a spare one kicking about

car boot , theres aways loads there ,

Post by **SplendiferousII** » 19 Oct 2008, 08:13

General rule of thumb is. Get the biggest you can.

I have an 8" vice but would be happy with a 6" for general use.

The 8" is usfull for breaking the bead of tyres mind you.

Forget anything fancy like a swivel base anvil etc. Although a quick release is handy.

When you fit the vice to the bench line the rear jaw up with the front face of the bench so you can clamp things vertically.

Post by **mininut** » 19 Oct 2008, 11:39

SplendiferousII wrote:General rule of thumb is. Get the biggest you can.

What will do a lot will do a little

I've got a Record No.25 6" (150mm). Does most jobs I need to do.

You must make sure you've got a sturdy bench to fix it to otherwise you'll be chasing it around yer garage or shed

Like Mark said, car boots are the place to get a good preloved one

Post by **kevtherev** » 19 Oct 2008, 12:51

mininut wrote: I've got a Record No.25 6" (150mm). Does most jobs I need to do.

good call Paul

Record ... just quality.. get a big 'un

And a teak bench with an aluminium top.. it will go no where.

I have to admit a swivel Vice that I have, has been very useful.

but the Record is the daddy... jeez the stuff that thing has held

Post by **Rozzo** » 19 Oct 2008, 13:22

agree with all above tone, get the biggest you can and a "record" will take a lot of abuse and last forever. avoid new foreign muck and buy a 2nd hand record big bugger

as onion says they're always for sale at car boot sales,, if you see one just check that the operation is nice and smooth as theres nowt more annoying than a semi siezed vice

here's a bargain for you http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/record-no-25-engi ... 286.c0.m14

Post by **mininut** » 19 Oct 2008, 13:36

Kinell Julian that's the same as mine. £395

Seems a reet bargain for 80 squid.

I 'aquired' mine from work when they put us in a new workshop, glad I did now

Post by **Rozzo** » 19 Oct 2008, 14:08

we have em at work and they've had some right hammer,, never broke one yet tho in 20 years

Post by **SplendiferousII** » 19 Oct 2008, 18:00

Rozzo wrote:we have em at work and they've had some right hammer,, never broke one yet tho in 20 years

Had to laugh. I have never broken one, although I have seen a couple who have. I work in the mining industry.

Post by **meggles** » 19 Oct 2008, 18:36

Nicola&Tony wrote:I don't know any of the answers that you seek . But I just thought I'd say hello!

N x

Nicola, when he said a workshop vice he meant a proper piece of equipment for holding parts (the van's, not his).
I can see you were warning him that you were watching his postings.
His other vice is the ******* website!
Seriously, get second hand quality rather than new cr&p. Mine was a record, 6" and cost £10 at an auto jumble (20 years ago).

Post by **toolsntat** » 19 Oct 2008, 19:00

T'Onion wrote:drop toolsandtat a line , bet he's got a spare one kicking about

car boot , theres aways loads there ,

Yep a couple .......

[IMG:800:600]http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d128/ ... e08077.jpg[/img]
£25 Hardly used (if at all) still good and tight!!

[IMG:800:600]http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d128/ ... e08015.jpg[/img]
£15 Used but plenty of life left in it!!

Both Record No3 if you ain`t sorted give me a shout

By the way be aware that some of the brand new vices on the market today are shocking quality

Also like he says you could come up trumps at the Booty if your early enough.......