Best place to find a replacement vice?

I have been trying to replace a Record No 3 vice which I inherited from my dad and was subsequently stolen. If I recall correctly he bought the vice in the 80's/90's and it had mounting slots instead of holes which seems to correlate with it being one of the last English record ones.

I did look at the new Irwin Record ones and then read the reviews saying not to bother! I have since been looking on the usual auction site and they either look like they have been left out in the rain for 20 years or have been messed about with and restored.

I just want an un-restored genuine Record No 3 in good condition (therefore not one that has had excessive use) as a like for like replacement for the one that was stolen. Any ideas where the best place is to look?

Edited By Adrian2021 on 25/05/2021 03:52:41

As regards IRWIN, how much abuse did you want to put the vice to ? Most second hand genuine Records have seen a fair bit of service and unless you intend to do heavy iron work bending and hammering and generally using the vice beyond its capabilities, that the IRWIN would be a nice small vice for your needs.

I have seen several RECORDS which have been welded after being abused - use the right tool for the job comes to mind!

Bob

Hi Adrian,

Some years ago I bought a Record No 5 from my local bric-a-brac market in Chesterfield, it is used but sound and I have found it invaluable. I think I paid about £25 for it, but the thing I remember most was what felt like an approaching coronary after carrying it to the car!

I still see Record vices at this market, I don't know where you live but I'm sure you have a local market you could visit.

Regards,

John.

Find out where they made them

Check the local classifieds and markets for that area

(Works for singer sewing machines in Glasgow)

Adrian , Look at web site of Home and Workshop Machinery , then under Miscellaneous. Plenty there at bottom of page and at very good prices . Usual disclaimer , just a satisfied customer . Trevor

I just looked on tinterweb as I have a unmarked, 4" width, never used, Record Vice which does not have a number on it to see if it is what you are looking for. Lo and behold Machinery Mart are having an end of line sale of Record No. 3 vices at £70 odd each. Only problem is I cannot tell whether the advert is current or one which has regurgitated!

My vice was bought about 15 years ago from MSC - just never got around to building the bench it was going to be fitted to. If you are interested drop me a PM

Martin

FWIW , In this context , l wouldn't even consider MM . Since l believe 15 years ago , Record were still on Sheffield Parkway , Martin would be my first choice , and then HWM . Trevor.

Adrian, I have PM'd you. John

Good original British made vises seem to command high prices on ebay. I was lucky, because when I bought the house, there was a 5" record in the garage, and after making a set of jaws, it is superb. It is steel, not cast iron which is a bonus.

Whereabouts in the country are you Adrian?

Bill

Yes, I have since learnt that these things to be in demand. At the time I thought, who would want to steal my dads old vice but now I know why.

Edited By Adrian2021 on 25/05/2021 22:12:50

I am located in Derbyshire so would preferably like to find somewhere within a reasonable travelling distance to me.

Check your messages Adrian, I'm in Buxton with a spare one that I'll likely never use.
I've a 112 on one workshop and just picked up a 5" Olympia for the other one to replace my slightly damaged 23.

Bill

Good US made vises made in the US also command high prices. Most of the bench vises sold in the US are Chicom junk. A good used Wilton, Reed or Parker vise can bring up to $250, maybe more in the larger sizes. Except for Wilton I don't think there was a quality vise maybe 50 years. The top quality Wilton vises are prohibitively expensive.