Shock, horror probe!!!
This vice belonged to my Dad and possibly my Grandfather before that. It’s a Record No. 52 and it dates from somewhere between 1940 and 1960 and for as long as I can remember it’s been sitting unused on a shelf under a work bench in Dinas Powys, Wales.
We’ve been looking for a woodworking vice for a while now and it made perfect sense to bring this back from the UK. I disassembled it and Aimee and I both bought parts back in our luggage. It had quite a bit or surface rust so I removed that before reassembling it. The last picture is after I removed most of the surface rust. The blue painted pieces were just washed and will retain their patina.
Here it is assembled, incorrectly I may add, and it took me maybe 10 minutes to figure out the quick release. Next step is to make some oak jaw pads from local wood supplied by John Paul. Odd that it didn’t have any jaw pads, maybe it was never used.
The idea to add leather to the pads was something I saw on a youtube video and should help stop the jaws from marring the wood. Holes were punched in the leather so that I could remove the pads without having to remove the leather.
I should think that with decent care, the vise will last for many more decades and I like the idea that my Dad and Grandfather used it. I wrote all the owners names on the inside of the pads so the next owner can see a bit of the vises history and add their own name.
Nowadays Record are owned by Irwin and they make their vices in China so it’s nice to have a good old, “Made in England” one.
You’ll notice that I interchange vice with vise and if you’re interested in grammar read on:
Love this!
this is really cool. there must be a DNA to taking good care of fine tools. it’s a keeper! enjoy!
(the good keeping of vises shall not be deemed a vice. carry on.)
Thank you!!!
How lovely👍🏼
I’ve always like the idea of a quick release vice. So much easier.
Love such reports from you and Aimee. She and I met while fulfilling jury duty. Your story reminded me of my father’s love for the beauty of tools. He was a German born, educated in the US engineer who built a 19ft. Cabin cruiser in our Brooklyn backyard in the early 50s. Converted a military surplus jeepengine for use inboard. He loved his tools and all machines even to becoming expert in maintaining old Singer sewing machines. Eventually he had a collection carpenters planes. He taught me about caring for tools and respecting them. Love and admire all the hard work you are putting into your house. Good luck with all.
I hope you managed to keep some of your Dad’s planes as well 🙂
Thank you for your kind words Hildegard and Aimee speaks very well of you, often I may add!!! Your father sounds a fascinating man and I’m sorry I can’t meet him. His skills with the Singer sewing machines would be highly sort after nowadays as those old Singers are becoming rather collectable. Feel free to come down for a tour anytime. We’re there most evening and weekends. Best David