15 replies to this topic

[slidingdog]

Hi, noob amateur mechanic here asking for some advice - what should I look for in a vice? I've managed without one so far but now I need to change balljoints and I'm sure it'll be handy for lots of other things in the future (trying to revive my '83 998 after 12yrs in storage). What's the minimum you need to spend for something decent? Would it be better to look at old ones on Ebay, if so what questions should you ask to find out condition etc.?

 

Any advice or specific recommendations much appreciated!

 

Tim

[Ethel]

Bigger is generally better. 4" jaws fixed base engineers vice would do. Toolstation have one for just £30 - handy for taking it back when you break it 

[Stu1961]

I got a Record No3 off eBay in hindsight its a bit on the small side and hubs are probably one of the biggest components you are going to be trying to secure, they do just fit but its a struggle I would go for the next size up as a minimum  Record No4. A second hand Record vice as long as it is working is a great investment and if its half a century old it will still have another 50 to go, plus you can buy the spare jaws for them which are the only parts that suffer any real ware.

[imack]

A second hand Record will be far better than any modern Chinese rubbish.
I'd say a record no.3 would be the absolute smallest you want though. As above, a no.4 or 5 is a good size, quick release version is nice too.
I've got a no.25 for mechanical jobs and a beaten up no.6 as a vice for welding jobs.
You need a decent solid, bolted down bench for any vice, especially for the bigger vices.

Edited by imack, 08 February 2021 - 10:20 AM.

[grumpy2]

buy a used but sound record, 2 or 3 probably best. Check the jaws are parallel and that the mechanism opens and closed smoothly. Dont worry about chattering - a spot of oil or grease will sot that but if it sticks then the lead screw is bent or chewed.

 

Buy one locally via ebay or Fb, it's last longer than you will - even if you're only 10!

[grumpy2]

buy a used but sound record, 2 or 3 probably best. Check the jaws are parallel and that the mechanism opens and closed smoothly. Dont worry about chattering - a spot of oil or grease will sot that but if it sticks then the lead screw is bent or chewed.

 

Buy one locally via ebay or Fb, it's last longer than you will - even if you're only 10!

[Icey]

I have a Woden, I think 190/8 but I'd have to check.

 

But yes, in general, keep an eye on eBay and facebook ads for older vices, they may look tatty but can be tarted up if needed (restoring vices seems to be a hobby all of its own).

 

One of the more import thing to remember - fix it to a good workbench. There's no point having a stout vice if it's bolted to a bit of 12mm ply held up by pipe cleaners.

Edited by Icey, 08 February 2021 - 10:23 AM.

[MiniMadRacer]

As above, go for this type, ss the anvil bit you will need for hammering something at some stage

 

https://www.google.c...=_r26PGDMi2iuJM

 

[Carlos W]

You need to make sure you're bolting it to something solid too. My workbench is a kitchen worktop and it's chipboard.

I'm sure I could smash it off if I hung off it

[MiniMadRacer]

I was lucky a local garage was closing down, they donated me their work bench, metal with the lip turned up aaround the edge so fluids stay on it and a drain tap in the corner.... works well but a tad noisey as its metal,esp hammering anything... I put old rubber car mats under the vice and on the bench to try to quieten some of it down

[KTS]

quick release facility is very useful, but generally only available on the larger sizes.

 

Also, look at how the vice will mount to the bench - to my mind a vice needs fixing down at 3 points if you're going to be putting any amount of force through it

[slidingdog]

Thanks all for the fantastic response

 

Am now scouring eBay for something suitable

[Spider]

I have a couple of Vices, but the one that get the most use is a used one, that I don't even recall where I got it from. It's only a 3" and I think it's made in India. Some of the awful things I've done to it ,,,, and I haven't broken the nut or any other part of it yet. I probably use that for about 99% of the bench work holding that I do, from tightening the CV Nuts (197 ft / lb + ) and that's hanging about a foot out from the jaws, welding, the odd bit of belting,,,,,

 

I'd also suggest when you settle on a size, get or make yourself a couple of sets of soft jaws for it. I have 2 sets, one in Aluminum and the other in Poly. Great for holding some parts without marring the surface.

 

When looking around, generally, the Fabricated construction are strings and will put up with punishment better than the Cast types.

[floormanager]

So disappointed with this thread, I thought it was going to be a bit saucey!!

[johnR]

Get a grip!