Record 52 - Man enough?

**NZStu** · 2nd May 2010, 08:39 AM

Hello all

Quick intro first of all. I've recently moved into a new house with a huge and awesome basement workshop space (about the size of a large single garage, with power, lighting, hot and cold running water). I used to do quite a bit of woodworking (and some woodturning) when I was a teenager, and also again for a while when I lived in the same town as my parents and had access to my dad's rather well equipped workshop, but for the past few years I have been without any facilities at all. So, for the first time I can set up a workshop of my own. Well pleased!

The catch here is that the demands of a young family means that I am doing everything on a bit of a tight budget. Well a very tight budget really. I've been trawling Trademe and picking up a few items (most recently a pretty tidy brass backed Tyzack tenon saw and a couple of mortise chisels). However, my efforts to get my hands on a Record 52 1/2 vice have so far been unsuccessful - it's looking like my budget isn't quite going to stretch that far - they have all being going for over $100, which is a bit more than I want to spend and they have all been outside Wellington so have needed expensive postage on top of the bid price. (told you it was a tight budget!)

A Record 52 with quick release has just come up locally and will probably go for a more sensible price as they are clearly less in demand. But will it be big enough for the work I am going to do? The first project will be a dining table, with things like a bedside tables, kid's table and chairs etc following that. I do also have a Record 50 which I got from my dad, and I intend to use that as a secondary vice on the front of the bench (on the other end to the main vice).

Apologies for the long post. I suspect you might be seeing a bit more of me on this forum as the budget isn't going to stretch to major powertools (plus I like using hand tools).

Thanks

Stu

**toolbagsPLUS** · 2nd May 2010, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by NZStu

I suspect you might be seeing a bit more of me on this forum as the budget isn't going to stretch to major powertools (plus I like using hand tools).

Thanks

Stu

Don't be fooled Hand Tools can also make a serious dent in the home budget as well. I know from experience

Cheers

Steve

**Pops** · 2nd May 2010, 02:06 PM

Hi Stu,

I had a very old 6" Record vice for many years on my rickety bench. All I did was put a wider faceplate on the jaws, about 8' from memory. This gave me that bit more clamping area, worked a treat.

I reckon that you should be OK with the Record 52, it will serve you well, better than a Chinese copy I'd say, the quality should be very good. Given your budget constraints I would go for the 52.

Just my view.

Cheers
Pops

**Basilg** · 2nd May 2010, 02:33 PM

Stu

I started with a saw horse a couple of chisels and a saw and slowly worked up from there. if you have a bench and a record 50 vice I would suggest making up stops and various holding devices for the bench, which you can source on the web or from library books and magazines, these will allow you to get the best out of the tools you have. Then use your limited funds to build up your plane, chisel, saw tool collection, and get the larger vice later when funds permit. Another option is to make a leg vice for which you only need a nice piece of wood and a suitable screw, a metal screw made for the purpose will only cost around $30 or so.

See this Woodworking blog Woodworking Magazine - I'm a Leg Vise Man

One thing I have learn't is to buy, make, or renovate good tools, which will work well & last you for the rest of you life. Cheap tools invariably lead to frustration and in the long run work out more expensive.

regards

**NZStu** · 2nd May 2010, 05:31 PM

Originally Posted by Basilg

One thing I have learn't is to buy, make, or renovate good tools, which will work well & last you for the rest of you life. Cheap tools invariably lead to frustration and in the long run work out more expensive.

Yep - Totally agree with this. I'm trying to buy tools that are good quality, but old and/or need tidying. My dad has lent me a few bits and pieces as well. Steering well clear of cheap chinese tools!

**kiwioutdoors** · 2nd May 2010, 07:01 PM

Just keep your eye on trade me they often go for under $50
Dawn is also a good brand. And shipping probably wont sting you to bad

say 10 kg vice parcel post about $35 shipped christchurch wellington
say this one

Vice for sale - TradeMe.co.nz - New Zealand

think this is a 52

Woodworkers vice for sale - TradeMe.co.nz - New Zealand

I am guessing size and weight and vices and size using nz post calculator here

Sending Parcels Around NZ | New Zealand Post

Andrew (in Auckland)

**NZStu** · 3rd May 2010, 07:40 AM

All of the 52 1/2s I've seen since I've been looking have gone for a lot more than $50...

I reckon a 52 will probably do the job, and the fact there is one locally for $40 start price is certainly tempting - they seem like pretty solid things.

**chippy 71** · 3rd May 2010, 09:03 AM

Originally Posted by kiwioutdoors

Just keep your eye on trade me they often go for under $50
Dawn is also a good brand. And shipping probably wont sting you to bad

say 10 kg vice parcel post about $35 shipped christchurch wellington
say this one

Vice for sale - TradeMe.co.nz - New Zealand

think this is a 52

This one is a 52 1/2, in one of the pictures you can see it in raised figures on the front plate.

Colin

**seanz** · 3rd May 2010, 11:27 AM

Welcome aboard NZStu.

I'm not sure that you should be worrying about the diference between the two vises....I'm sure nobody will tell you that the #52 isn't a 'proper' vise.
And they don't wear out very much so if you want to go bigger, as and when your budget allows, just put the #52 back on Trademe.

Originally Posted by chippy 71

This one is a 52 1/2, in one of the pictures you can see it in raised figures on the front plate.

Colin

Very nice, looks almost new.......but they want cash and it's in Christchurch.

Hmmm...I'm (almost) in Christchurch....there's no law that says you can't have two #52 1/2s, is there?

**chippy 71** · 3rd May 2010, 06:27 PM

Originally Posted by seanz

Very nice, looks almost new.......but they want cash and it's in Christchurch.

Hmmm...I'm (almost) in Christchurch....there's no law that says you can't have two #52 1/2s, is there?

Two 521/2........two benches? Sounds about right to me.

Colin.

**NZStu** · 4th May 2010, 10:27 AM

This I suspect would be an overkill...

Genuine Record 53E(Wood) Bench Vice - Great Order! for sale - TradeMe.co.nz - New Zealand

**NZStu** · 4th May 2010, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by seanz

Very nice, looks almost new.......but they want cash and it's in Christchurch.

Hmmm...I'm (almost) in Christchurch....there's no law that says you can't have two #52 1/2s, is there?

So you went for that chch 52 in the end eh?

**seanz** · 4th May 2010, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by NZStu

This I suspect would be an overkill...

Genuine Record 53E(Wood) Bench Vice - Great Order! for sale - TradeMe.co.nz - New Zealand

Nothing wrong with overkill....but I wouldn't want to pay for the freight.

Originally Posted by NZStu

So you went for that chch 52 in the end eh?

I have more than one bench.

I promise not to buy any vises in Wellington.

**Vann** · 5th May 2010, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by seanz

I promise not to buy any vises in Wellington.

I should hope not !

Or were you thinking of Vivian St....

(that's the red light district - where many vises can be found - err...so I'm told)

Cheers Seanz. Welcome Stu. Regards, Vann.

**seanz** · 5th May 2010, 12:16 PM

where many vises can be found

I'm sure you mean 'vices'.......I think.

On another Trademe listing the weight of a #52 was given at 10kg....not that heavy.....so post will be pricey but not out of the question and a courier might be worth looking into as well.
My neighbour has a #52 on his bench and he's not complaining, so NZStu should be happy with one too.

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