Thread: Vice advice

There is a very good chapter on vices in "The Workbench" by Lon Schleining. Its a really nice book, go to a bookshop and have a look.

Originally Posted by Cagey

has anyone had experience with the Veritas Large Front Vice - 70-G-0802 seen here. I am tossing up between it and a Record 52 1/2 ED. my only experience with vice(s) in the past cant be posted here cos would censor it
http://www.timbecon.com.au/products/...ies-328_1.aspx

I recently bought the cheaper torquata version and the quality seems very reasonable. Or if you want to pay more you can get a quick action version from the states.

Unless I'm mistaken the quick action version comes from Rockler. The Veritas unit is the one I will use when I end up building a new bench, the large one is very well constructed with nice thick thread and support rods, and also has two support discs for the guide rods. Details can be found here
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...659,41661&ap=1

and if you want mounting instructions go down near the bottom of the page and click on the inst just after the small vice.

Originally Posted by Wood Butcher

I recently bought the cheaper torquata version and the quality seems very reasonable. Or if you want to pay more you can get a quick action version from the states.

I also bought the Torquemada version, both small and large. Generally happy with them. Only complaint is that when an irregular sized piece of work is held the top of the timber front piece will skew away from the bench. This, I beleive, is due to the vise's steel face plate being too low. It may also be my bench precluding mounting the vises higher.

I am going to cut a piece of plate steel to mount between the vise plate and the wooden face plate extending 25mm higer across the width of the vise.

Quality wise they're fine.

I was considering a Record 52 which I'm sure would have been good and pleasure to use. However, my local hardware had a discontinued Record 62 which is similar to the small Veritas, it was not what I was contemplating but on reflection I really like the look, feel and use of this style of vice.

Originally Posted by Graham Sands

I was considering a Record 52 which I'm sure would have been good and pleasure to use. However, my local hardware had a discontinued Record 62 which is similar to the small Veritas, it was not what I was contemplating but on reflection I really like the look, feel and use of this style of vice.

The 52 is a beast that weighs a ton. My avatar is a Record 52. The 52 1/2ED is the one to get as it has quick release, 9" jaws and 13" opening. This can be overkill though and the 62 may well suit your needs, particularly if the price is right.

Quick release is a definite nice-to-have though, cranking a vise out 13" can be a pain.

I used one on my new bench plus their tail vice and am very happy with them.


Regards

Phil

thanks everyone, this sort of peer advice is excatly why these forums are so popular with knuckleheads like me. I have decided to go with the Veritas because offset screw. may be pointless but price is within budget (if there is such a thing) and size is good too

Good choice, I would go with that one as well if starting again. The Record has a Beech Jaw, you might be able to get a piece big enough?

I went through a similar thing when buying a vice. In the end the Veritas was just too dear, especially when freight was added. I ended up with the Record, I just kept hitting my local hardware bloke until he dropped the price enough. :eek:

G'day outback, its not the twin screw job i am looking at @ over $300. the one on timbecon site is only $110 which is 1/2 the price on CT site for record 52 1/2 ED

OOPS, sorry.
Perhaps we should post a poll to see if anyone reads the entire thread before replying. :eek:

woo hoo thats the ton (100 posts). OK i admit it i have no life. So Outback how much did you screw him down for

Originally Posted by Termite

the large one is very well constructed with nice thick thread and support rods, and also has two support discs for the guide rods.

I agree with Termite. I have one and I am going to build a new workbench for it in a couple of months.