I need a new vice! Any suggestions?

[viaEstrecha]

As if garden railways, smoking and drinking weren't enough, I feel it is time to get a new vice. For my bench that is. I am bewildered by the variety available and wondered if anyone here can recommend something. It needs to be sensitive enough to hold tiny bits of plastic yet also be able to cope with the odd bit of DIY, such as holding a chunk of timber or copper pipe. I use the Workmate for very big things, but I still need something with a bit of oomph such as when I am filing or drilling wood, as well as the accuracy to grip a pea-sized bit of plastic, without shearing as it grips, as the current horrible old vice does (it was after all only a couple of quid from a market stall about 30 years ago!). Some the ones out there appear to have fancy little extra bits and multi-angle holders and that seems like a good idea, but are they worth the extra?

So - does anyone have their own 'old faithful', which they would endorse from experience, please?

 

[Rhinochugger]

I was going to suggest that the House of Commons is probably one of the best places to get ideas on vice O0 O0 O0

 

[bobg]

Something about 35 I was going to suggest!!.

"Trousers" is 66 next b/day, does that mean I should get two 33s. :-\

Horses for courses, but spend what you can afford. Do not buy cheap because you can. I have a 6" Record engineers vice for main use (I'd hate to have to pay to replace that now). I also have two identical Chinese machine vices and can find nothing wrong with them apart from one is 0.020" ('alf a mm) higher than the other. The second bench vice is 4" of cheaper manufacture and is fine for the use it gets, but not for good accuracy. Remember, what'll do a lot will do a little so don't be put off by 'big' unless you just don't have room for it.

Check out firms like RDG tools and Chronos.

When fitting a vice to a bench make sure that it is bolted close to a leg for rigidity, and that the rear jaw is slightly in front of the front edge of the bench (important, safety), and use ALL the bolt holes.


Edit: - Just looked it up Record No 6 (6") £300, OUCH!!!

 

[PhilP]

WARCO for the next one then!!

In my late Fathers workshop, are three Record vice of varying sizes!!

Did not realise they were so expensive now..
Now good-quality chisels, yes.

 

[bobg]

WARCO for the next one then!!

Good job it's not a Quick Release version that busts £750!!!!!

 

[bobg]

You should only need to buy a good one once. Looked after they will easily last a lifetime.

 

[PhilP]

You should only need to buy a good one once. Looked after they will easily last a lifetime.

Yes, but even though I tend to *try* and buy the best.. Even if I don't abuse it, you can bet someone else will!!

 

[bobg]

I have the advantage that my workshop is effectively all MINE! Not even my best buddy gets to play without me there.