Replies

1. 
   MarkRoderick | Nov 08, 2004 09:43pm | #1

   I bought the big Record vise and love it. This weekend I was at a woodworking show in Ft. Washington, PA and saw a bench made by Franz Klausz with his handmade wooden vice on the front. I like the Record much more.

1. 
   Buzzsaw | Nov 08, 2004 09:54pm | #2

   Mark,

   Do you happen to have access to a digital camera and could possibly post a picture of your bench with the vise on it?  Regards,

   Buzzsaw

1. 
   MarkRoderick | Nov 08, 2004 10:09pm | #3

   Believe it or not I don't have a digital camera. It just mounts to the underneat of the benchtop. If your benchtop is too thin you might have to include a spacer, while if it's too thick you might have to rout a recess.

   Some people like to mount them so the back face of the vise becomes part of the benchtop. I didn't bother doing that and it works fine.

   The great things about the vise are (1) it's very heavy and strong, and (2) the quick release.

1. 
   Buzzsaw | Nov 08, 2004 10:23pm | #4

   Do you know where I can purchase one?  When I do a search on the internet it goes to Lee Valley Tools and says that the items are no longer available. Where did you buy yours and how long ago?Regards,

   Buzzsaw

1. 
   MarkRoderick | Nov 08, 2004 10:36pm | #8

   I bought both of mine from Lee Valley Tools. Many, they were big and heavy.

2. 
   triplenet | Nov 08, 2004 10:24pm | #5

   Ditto Marks recommendation. Problem is the big Record vise is no longer available.

   I wanted to buy a second one this summer and found they are no longer imported. There was one on Ebay last week that went for $320. Maybe keep checking Ebay.

   http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=53237&item=3850387056&rd=1

   I wish I had a truckload of them.

   Bob

1. 
   BarryO | Nov 08, 2004 10:31pm | #6

   Yup,   I found out from this Forum a while back that they were no longer going to be imported.  'ran down to the local store that stocked them, and bought what they said would be the last 52 1/2 that they would ever have.

   It's a real shame; the chinese knock-offs you see now aren't nearly as good.

2. 
   Buzzsaw | Nov 08, 2004 10:33pm | #7

   Thanks Bob for the info. I didn't think they were still available.  Can anyone else out there suggest a good woodworking vise that I can buy?Regards,

   Buzzsaw

1. 
   Agee | Nov 09, 2004 12:53am | #9

   Buzzsaw,

                I bought the big Groz vise from Highland Hardware for $99.It is a copy of the Record and works just fine.    Mike

2. 
   BG | Nov 09, 2004 03:01am | #12

   Buzz,

   I think we already discussed this...I bought the Jorgenson...because of the wood handle...and quick release feature..check them out...

1. 
   Buzzsaw | Nov 09, 2004 04:46pm | #14

   Thanks BG,

    I'm sure we have discussed this but I'm getting old and I forget things.  I am finally at a point where I can buy a vise since I went out and bought a large maple top from Lumber Liquidators.  I will be picking it up when it comes in.  I am psyched about it and am excited about getting a good vise for it.  The base I built myself and I have the sore elbow to show for it after all of my chiseling of mortises.  Can you refresh my memory and tell me where you bought it and what is the model number.  If you have an internet link to the one you purchased that would be great! Thanks again...Regards,

   Buzzsaw

2. 
   Buzzsaw | Nov 09, 2004 05:04pm | #15

   BG,

     I think I found the Jorgensen that you bought.  I also like the wood handle.  My bench top is only 1 1/2" thick.  Will this vise work with a benchtop this thickness? I think I read somewhere that it is to be used the 3" benchtops.  What thickness is your bench top? Thanks...Regards,

   Buzzsaw

1. 
   BG | Nov 09, 2004 05:45pm | #16

   Buzz,

   There was an article about 18 months ago in FWW on installing a front vise on the workbench...I think it was a Record vise.  The Jorgenson installed the same way.

   In your case (1 1/2" top) I'd seriously consider a 3" face on the long grain sides and maybe 3" breadboards on the end.  I incorporated the face of the Jorgenson into the 3" face ....and built up the underside of the top where the vise goes...so all was solid and flush.  It was easy to do...just very heavy to flip over afterwards...

3. 
   jazzdogg | Nov 09, 2004 01:02am | #10

   Buzzsaw,

   Given my druthers, I'd opt for a patternmaker's vise on the edge (like Sam Maloof uses), and a full-width end vise.

   You might want to take a look at Taunton's new book: "The Workbench: A Complete Guide to Creating Your Own Perfect Bench" By Lon Schleining; lots of inspirational ideas.

   Good Luck,

   -Jazzdogg-

   Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.

1. 
   Doc | Nov 09, 2004 02:18am | #11

   Does anyone have an opinion on Wilton vises?  I think that was the kind they had on all of the benches in high school.  They probably aren't the best, but I remember them being quite indestructable.  Any thoughts on them?

4. 
   triplenet | Nov 09, 2004 04:46pm | #13

   Out of curiosity, I looked up the invoice on my Record. It

   was $120 from Amazon. This is the model that sold on ebay last week for $320.

   Bob

5. 
   RonInOttawa | Nov 09, 2004 11:21pm | #17

   I mounted my old Record 52 1/2 to the maple bench I built last year, and I wouldn't trade it for anything else I've seen since.

   
1. 
   Buzzsaw | Nov 10, 2004 12:05am | #19

   Ron,

     Could you post a larger picture of your workbench.  Also, it looked like you just butt-jointed your skirt(apron) and your end caps.  I have seen a lot of dovetail joinery with a skirt and end caps. Can you briefly describe what you did because I am pretty much there and have to decide what to do...Regards,

   Buzzsaw

1. 
   RonInOttawa | Nov 10, 2004 06:02am | #21

   No problem! I built it from a set of plans I bought from Lee Valley. Truss rod construction, solid maple throughout. The skirts are simply screwed to the top, then plugged. The wood for the slab is all quarter sawn, but I still enlarged the screw holes to allow for wood movement. Winter is now descending upon Ottawa, so I'll get a chance to see how it moves when all the moisture is sucked out of the air at -20! A very enjoyable project!

   Regards,

   Ron

   
1. 
   Buzzsaw | Nov 10, 2004 05:15pm | #22

   Ron,

     Great Job.  I have never seen a bench with the tool till in the middle.  Do you like it there? Thanks for the pictures.  So you elongated the holes that are under the plugs to allow for wood movement? Thanks again.Regards,

   Buzzsaw

1. 
   RonInOttawa | Nov 10, 2004 10:01pm | #23

   Having the tool tray in the middle serves a couple of useful purposes. First, it makes it much easier to construct the bench as it's easier to move two smaller slabs than one big one! Second, it is convenient to use as a clamping lip when holding things against the front surface of the bench. It's also nice not to have to reach all the way to the back of the bench to get something that I've placed in the tray i.e., screwdrivers, small planes or measuring tools.

   I should also mention that I used 1/4" x 3" lag screws rather than standard wood screws to hold the skirts, counterboring and then predrilling into the slabs. A little bit of beeswax on the screws and the job was done both easily and quickly.

   Regards,

   Ron

2. 
   Buzzsaw | Nov 11, 2004 12:20am | #24

   Thanks Ron for your input. Interesting stuff...Regards,

   Buzzsaw

6. 
   wgsdvm | Nov 09, 2004 11:40pm | #18

   I purchased a Jorgensen and it is nice. 

1. 
   Buzzsaw | Nov 10, 2004 12:05am | #20

   Spitfire,

     Which model of the Jorgensen did you purchase and from whom did you purchase it? Thanks...

   Regards,

   Buzzsaw