Irwin Record vice swivel base

Hi all

I have a Record number 4 vice on a swivel base, so similar to but slightly bigger than Journeyman's, and of similar age. I do use the swivel usually only to get a position at right angles to the usual position. This makes it much easier to file or saw along the length of a workpiece. I can't remember ever wanting to fix the vice at any other angle, so perhaps the alternate holes schemes of Clive and AJW would be a usable alternative to a swivel base - I suspect it would need to be quick and easy to make the change or it would never get used! The ideal might be a vice mounted on the corner of a bench which can be approached from 2 directions.

I accept Clive's other points about the swivel base not being quite as strong as direct mounting to the bench but I find mine quite rigid enough for ordinary filing and sawing work. These are cast iron vices and so not really suitable for heavy hammering for which a steel vice is much stronger. I share the concern about the relative quality of the cast iron used in some new vices compared to the older made in Sheffield ones.

Rod

Well the beastie arrived today, what a lump!

First job was to dismantle it it for de greasing - everything was covered in grease and where it was required it didn't look particularly clean, as in not cleaned before application.

All cleaned up and de burred where required, graphite grease applied to leadscrew and nut and it now works to my satisfaction.

As suggested it stands a good inch taller than my old one so will not be increasing it further by adding a swivel base I shall just make it able to rotate by about 30 degree although that has to be confirmed before I start drilling fixing holes.

Alan

The Record No. 5 was the standard issue vice in the factory, the legendary story was often related of a chap who decided to liberate one by waiting for a rainy day and hanging one round his neck with the weight of it taken by the crossbar of his bicycle, the whole plot covered by his cycle cape. Inevitably it slipped off going out the gate so he had a vice hanging round his neck, I think his mission succeeded but I imagine he had a sore neck for a while.

Mike

My Dad used to work at STC in Woolwich back in the day and would relate that story of the guy going out past the gatehouse when his plan failed!

Not the sort of thing you would want hanging round your neck!

Alan

It'd be good to see a photo or two, Alan!

It'd be good to see a photo or two, Alan!

Here is one. Just click on the small pic to see it full screen.

**LINK**

I was mainly interested in seeing what Alan does to make it able to "rotate by about 30 degree[s]".

I assumed, from his post, that he would drill holes to mount the vise in the normal orientation, then use one bolt hole as a fulcrum to swivel the vise by about thirty degrees and drill bolt holes when in that position, to secure it.

If adjustable between ‘zero’ and thirty degrees he would need a curved(?) slot (or slots), not drilled holes, for one or two of the fixings.

I wonder if the story is true? It has spread well if Oxford and Woolwich are covered although my grandmother was from Woolwich I doubt she ever heard the tale.

Mike

Three night shifts was enough to get half a dozen new pistons, for a 6 cylinder engine, out of the factory - two per night hanging round their neck down in their baggy trousers. This would be 60-70 years ago.

I’ve no idea if they had over-size pistons at the Vauxhall Luton factory (standard pistons in old bores is not ideal) but better than old ones I suppose....

Yes the idea was that the left bolt stayed where it was and additional fixings added to my bench to fix the vice at 30 degrees (ish) Nuts welded to a plate underneath the bench top so I would only have to move 2 bolts and loosen/tighten the third. M12 fixings purchased today, bench top all marked out but, I seem to have got involved in re finishing the car wheels!

Will post photo's when back on the vice project.

Alan

Finished last pair of wheels so got to drilling bench top for new vice. It's held down with 3 M12 bolts with a plate underneath to spread the load.

Drilled an extra pair of holes so the vice can be swung around it's left foot and bolts dropped in the extra holes. Not sure of the angle but it's such that anything 'long' can stick out through workshop door!

Love the jaw opening, a full 7 inches. Have used graphite grease on the leadscrew and nut but so far haven't applied any lubrication to the slideways (not like me, I lubricate everything!) for fear of attracting dirt - what's the general opinion on vice lubrication?

Alan

The screw and it’s thrust areas need lubricant but I don’t grease the guides although they are generally covered in an oily film and seem to require no more than to be generally oily. Excess lubricant is just going to pick up dirt and be more of a problem than a benefit. I see the design has changed from my version, the mounting bolts now have slots rather than holes on my vintage.

Mike

Edited By Mike Poole on 23/06/2021 23:25:23