Vice's(Vise's?) similar to Eclipse 9" (230mm) with quick release

I'm looking into vices for my workbench which is yet to be made. The recommended vice is the Eclipse 9" with quick release. It looks like Beyond Tools has them for $229 , however, I've come across a couple of similar ones. Carbatec has a similar Groz 225mm vice for $259 and Hare and Forbes have a WV-230 that looks almost identical to the Eclipse for $132.
Having recently borrowed some brand new craftright sash clamps from a friend which immediately cracked the casting in half on the first use, I'm wary of cheap cast items which look identical to high quality ones. Can anyone offer any input into this?

https://mcjing.com.au/categorybrowse...?categoryid=73 is the McJing $95 option. Can't vouch for that particular one, but I would be suggesting they would be same same....

I had the Groz vice on my old bench. Best to avoid that one. It actually put me off quick release all together as it was more a case of self release and the work piece hitting the floor. I now have a simple screw vice where nothing can go wrong.
https://mcjing.com.au/categorybrowse...ategoryid=1189

Regards
John

Considering that you aren’t in a rush, as you’re still planning the build, I’d keep an eye out for an older Record. It should be both cheaper and better made.

not sure what postage to you would be on this one https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Bench-vi...IAAOSwuvFcOC55

I think the cheapie vises are a bit of a lottery, judging by what you read from time to time, but I'm not sure the current Records are quite up to the standards of old, either. For what its worth, I bought a generic QR from Carbatec (not a Groz, it was made in Taiwan, iirc) quite a while back, for a secondary bench. Turned out when I got it home, the jaws weren't quite parallel, one side met about 2mm ahead of the other. It otherwise seemed ok & functioned smoothly enough, so rather than go to the bother of taking it back, I simply adjusted the wooden jaw inserts and all was well enough. It was passed on to my brother about 5 or 6 years ago, but as far as I know, it's still doing yeoman service 20 years after I acquired it, somewhat to my surprise. Quick-release sounds like such a good idea when you first encounter it, and in some situations it is probably the bees' knees, but for the majority of amateurs, I doubt it will save more than a few minutes in a lifetime, so I wouldn't make that an absolute requirement.

As they say, you get what you pay for - if you can save enough pennies between now & when the bench is finished, you might be able to spring for something as up-market as the HNT Gordon, which has had some good reviews and is a home-grown product.

Much depends on what you do & how you use your front vise. If you have the time & the inclination, a read through the 'workbench' threads will either help or totally confuse you! Mileages vary greatly, so you should consider what your main needs will be & try to buy accordingly. Your choice now doesn't have to be forever - even a cheap QR should work well enough to get you going, & you can always upgrade down the track when you have a clearer idea of what you really need (& maybe by then you'll be able to afford to indulge yourself!)

I do a lot of hand-preparation of rough stock, so when I built my current bench, my main efforts went into the tail vise because that's where I spend most of my bench time. My finances were very tight at the time, too, so I made my own front vise . It has a simple screw & it doesn't bother me at all having to give it a few turns to open/close. More by good luck than good management, this vise has turned out to be the best choice I could've made because the wide jaws and wide-spaced guide bars allow me to use it in ways a typical QR front vise can't manage, as demonstrated in the post linked to.

Happy hunting, & good luck! :U
Cheers

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Originally Posted by JustinH

I'm wary of cheap cast items which look identical to high quality ones. Can anyone offer any input into this?

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Id recommend building wooden vices , Face and Tail with wooden threads for the best bench to work at.

If a cast vice is wanted though Id buy something like these. Dogs can be added to them between the fitted timber jaw.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/DAWN-SID...VDT:rk:72:pf:0

Rob

A quick scan of Gumtree in the Perth Region reveals a handful of vise / vice suitable for your needs that would be cheaper and better than a new model. Some of them even come with benches attached!

Here is one just like mine,
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/arma...1-2/1207212707

Just needs a better paint job and it could look just as good ;)

Attachment 448083

Thank you, that wouldn't have shown up on my search alert being named incorrectly, that's the exact one I'm looking for now. I am watching another record 52 1/2 but that's $150 firm and in worse condition than the one you found. Unfortunately, it's my birthday in 2 weeks and I've been warned not to buy things for myself. So I'll have to wait and see if it's still available then or maybe I'll be lucky and get one for my birthday.

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Originally Posted by JustinH

So I'll have to wait and see if it's still available then or maybe I'll be lucky and get one for my birthday.

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Drop the hint, don't leave it to fate. :)

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Originally Posted by poundy

Drop the hint, don't leave it to fate. :)

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Exactly, I don't think it will last long especially now it is out on the web ;)

Rick

To late now, it's gone
Unless it was you Justin ;)

Rick

Just thought I'd give a quick update. My parents ended up buying me one of those vices on gumtree and Dad refurbished it as well. The cheaper greeny coloured one was apparently no good, Dad said the threaded shaft was completely worn. My Dad used the paint for his model train frame, so it's likely better than the original. I'm very lucky and happy with it. I just need to finish my workbench so I can use it.

Attachment 449099

Well done, I like the look of the Record ones. The pointy bit the handle goes through gives it a classier look :)

Rick