Replies

1. 
   davidh | Aug 27, 2003 08:01am | #1

   I talked recently with the owner of Hardwicks hardware store in Seattle. He told me that Recod were acquired by an American Company and the bean couters do not feel that the record division is making enough profit so they are trying to close it down. Apparently it is not quite a done deal butr in the mean time they are not importing any record products to the U.S.A. One way for the bean counters attain a self fulfillling prophecy and prove themselves right. Doubtless they will pat themselves on the back and congratulate each other on how smart they are. Probably graduates of Harvard or Stanford business school!

   By the way I happen to have two Record 12 1/2 D vices which are brand new that  I am willing to sell. Had them for more than 25 years. Interested?

   Kind Regards,

   David H.

2. 
   MIKEBUETTNER | Aug 27, 2003 08:22am | #2

   Lee Valley still shows them on their site.

   bit

3. 
   riverr1 | Aug 27, 2003 08:54am | #3

   Surprised anyone missed this, but Big Lots of all places has been closing out record vises at record prices. I picked one up for I think $25. Probably a little late to catch one, but if you have a store near by take a look. They have also been closing out pony vises and 1/2 inch pipe clamps.

   Don

   Oh yea, a lot of dewalt quick change sundries also.

4. 
   ToolDoc | Aug 27, 2003 05:52pm | #4

   if you do a search for cheap vises & clamps you will find a thread I did on the Record vises at Big Lots..

                                                    ToolDoc

5. 
   RANGERP75R | Aug 27, 2003 06:17pm | #5

   Enfrim

      As Bitman stated, Lee Valley has all you want. They were on the web-site about a month ago. I thought that is was something that was just not taken off the site since Record went down. I called an they have plenty of the 52, 52-1/2 an 53's. Seems they had caught wind of Record going down earlier an made a bulk buy. Very clever folks there at Lee Valley.

   http://www.leevalley.com

       They are in Ontario, but instead of you paying customs charges; they truck the freight through customs to their place in New York state. The price on the site is correct. If you are outside the state of NY you pay no sales tax and the UPS will run about $9.50 from NY to Atlanta. Go figure freight to where you are based on that or just call them direct and they will tell you what it would cost to your door.

   Have a good day...

   sarge..jt

1. 
   forestgirl | Sep 10, 2003 07:41pm | #8

   "The price on the site is correct. "  True if you've selected the correct currency.  Upper right-hand corner, if memory serves.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

6. 
   robert1 | Aug 29, 2003 03:31am | #6

   Lee Valley had the #52 on sale a short time ago.

7. 
   jdpeck | Sep 10, 2003 05:28am | #7

   Here's the answer:  The brand new 2003/2004 Lee Valley & Veritas tool catalog includes a "Special Buys" flier which advertises a special buy on Record mechanic's vises and states:  "Newell Rubbermaid, the owner of Record Tools of England, recently rationalized their line of Record vises and discontinued them in the US.  (Both mechanic's and woodworking vises will still be available in Canada.)"  Page 174 of the 2003/2004 catalog shows all three Record Quick-Release woodworking vises as being available from Lee Valley/Veritas, which is located in both Ottawa, Canada, and Ogdensburg, NY. and, therefore, seems to have the ability to obtain the vises whereas US tool stores can no longer obtain them (for example, the August 2003 Amazon/Tool Crib catalog only shows Jorgensen woodworker's vises).  Incidentally, all Record tools are now sold under the umbrella name of Irwin Tools, which was also purchased by Newell Rubbermaid (see the UK website for Record Tools).

1. 
   roblee | Sep 11, 2003 02:37pm | #9

   Hi -

   That's a good summary! We can still purchase from Record (Irwin UK) directly, and will continue to do so - so the Record woodworking vises, planes etc. will still be available, as will the Marples chisels.

   The only "bad" news is - as the clearance priced vises run out, there may be a bit of sticker shock at the "real" price of the vises - especially in US dollars, as the pound had significant gains last year.

   Irwin US (and Lowes) cleared out their Record stock below factory cost - that's what you see making it's way through various channels now, ourselves included.

   Cheers,

   Rob Lee

   Lee Valley Tools Ltd.

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Sep 12, 2003 03:55am | #10

   Rob

      If you want to run that Veritas Twin-Screw vise and low-angle smoothing plane on sale tomorrow, I'll be on the phone to Lee Valley. Come on, take advantage of the U.S. dollar being down and grab a few.

      You have my word and that's a contract in my neck of the woods. I'm sitting by the phone with the finger near the trigger and CC ready. Give us the "S" word. ha..ha..

   Have a good evening...

   sarge..jt