Newbie with Vice Queries

[GRW]

Hello All, Just signed up but have read loads of useful things when Googling from this Site - so thanks already
I'm only a tinkerer and only started relatively recently to doing more as a consequence of owning a very old rusty campervan and also starting to build up a bit of a small workshop.

Anyway - recently I have acquired a couple of older vices, and wanted to ask the Great Sages on here for some comments on what it is I have, and confirm my thoughts going forward on which one(s) I ought to hang onto, sort out and use.

I have:
1. A pretty clean & straight Paramo No4 Plain Screw (cleaned and repainted but not by me - this seems honest and also to work fine, though I've not done anything really with it, as I need to finish making my Vice Stand first).
2. A Massive Parkinson's Perfect Vise No9 F QR (which has clearly seen some heavy action and has had the jaws beaten about a bit, but again seems to work fine (not yet done anything with this, and in truth its way too big and heavy for my needs, I only got it because it was just too nice an old thing to see going to scrap or corrosion. Its a proper beast of a thing, and HEAVY).
3. A Record No35P. Just picked this up yesterday - as its a Steel 5" or so Jaws with a 6" Opening. This is looking rusty and unloved, but its screw action just feels smooth as, and the Jaws look mint - so it looks to have seen very little heavy action in its life. This lighter weight but decent size vice, is the one I'm thinking might be the Keeper if it cleans up as well as I hope it will.

Any info, advice etc. gratefully received and appreciated

 

[Screwdriver]

What is the question?

 

[GRW]

What is the question?

Sorry. Post was too wordy. Basically just after useful info on the Model I have and if they are good uns.... but most specifically if I'm on the right track in thinking the Record No35P is perhaps the better overall Vice to retain over the Paramo No4 as the go-to for most tasks.
(I have a cheapie Clark 4" engineers swivel vice which is handy as well, but its not got the Jaw Opening or the strength / build for anything that needs clamping tight and a bit more heft)

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

To many vices. Pick one, donate the rest to The TYA Collection of un homed Vices.

Simple.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Welcome aboard GRW

There are a few vise addicts on here [calling @MattF among others], so plenty to learn from.
Pics always help when seeking advice.....

 

[Arc Tourist]

Hello & welcome to the forum.
As you mentioned you are just a tinkerer, but consider keeping the vice which has the the largest opening as it will be more useful. Better to have a bigger vice and not need it, than need it and not have it; as the saying goes.

 

[123hotchef]

keep them all! use the worse one for welding if you have too

 

[GRW]

Welcome aboard GRW

There are a few vise addicts on here [calling @MattF among others], so plenty to learn from.
Pics always help when seeking advice.....

Thanks! I've read some of @MattF's vice posts when lurking - and they have helped ease some of my general ignorance and confusion

 

[gaz1]

I have 2 vices in use

the smaller record as its the most goto model

but the samsonia perfect i have comes in way too handy for larger things when needed and yes i have given it some stick

my neighbours son found this out when i grabbed the vice and a sledge hammer and bent a piece of steel for him

 

[GRW]

Hello & welcome to the forum.
As you mentioned you are just a tinkerer, but consider keeping the vice which has the the largest opening as it will be more useful. Better to have a bigger vice and not need it, than need it and not have it; as the saying goes.

The largest is the Parkinson No9 (which must be pretty ancient - not that that's bad).... but I think its overkill for a Tinkerer, and my shed and bench aren't big enough to exploit the monster either!
Hence thinking the physically lighter but 6" opening 35P might be a good compromise to use on my pending vice-stand without giving me hernia's

 

[Hood]

Thanks! I've read some of @MattF's vice posts when lurking - and they have helped ease some of my general ignorance and confusion

@MattF has lots of vices, most of which you don't want to read or even know about

 

[gaz1]

heres my vices

Show us your bench vice(s)

Check the retaining pin for the nut hasn't disappeared, hence the nut is loose.

www.mig-welding.co.uk

 

[GRW]

keep them all! use the worse one for welding if you have too

The Parkinson is (visually at least) the worst condition, in that its evident that its been used for welding and clamping items that have been held to be walloped very hard with something very meaty (and not always with accuracy ) - but its too big for my workspace, and too damned heavy to lug inside and out I think (plus I doubt I'm going to be working on anything quite that hefty tbh).
That said, it only stands me at 40-quid, so I dare say I can find somewhere for it to lurk

 

[GRW]

heres my vices

Show us your bench vice(s)

Check the retaining pin for the nut hasn't disappeared, hence the nut is loose.

www.mig-welding.co.uk

My Parkinson F No9 looks a lot in size and shape to your big 6" Samsonia (but mines not got the Samsonia bit on it) - while the Paramo No4 also looks v similar in size etc. to your Record No4.
The 35P is a 5" (maybe 5 & 1/4?) width Jaws and 6" opening, but its nothing like the monster 6" Parky, which I'd wildly guess weighs 40+KG.
(I think also that whatever retaining system is used on the big 9 has gone fishing... because its possible to withdraw the Jaws beyond the QR bar. I'd need to find out how to overcome that - as the thought of having that lump fall onto your foot doesn't appeal)

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

keep them all! use the worse one for welding if you have too

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

my shed and bench aren't big enough to exploit the monster either!

Yet.
Give it time.

 

[Arc Tourist]

The largest is the Parkinson No9 (which must be pretty ancient - not that that's bad).... but I think its overkill for a Tinkerer, and my shed and bench aren't big enough to exploit the monster either!
Hence thinking the physically lighter but 6" opening 35P might be a good compromise to use on my pending vice-stand without giving me hernia's

If the 35P suits your present needs then it's a good compromise, as you can always get a larger vice in the future. The largest engineer's vices I have, have 4" jaws which has sufficed for most everything I have needed them to do, however, I have an all metal wood working vice with roughly a 15" opening that can handle anything larger if needed.

 

[GRW]

Yet.
Give it time.

I'd have to move! (Or level the house to expand and get bigger stuff out the back

If the 35P suits your present needs then it's a good compromise, as you can always get a larger vice in the future. The largest engineer's vices I have, have 4" jaws which has sufficed for most everything I have needed them to do, however, I have an all metal wood working vice with roughly a 15" opening that can handle anything larger if needed.

Thanks, that's along the lines I was thinking (helped by the 35 weighing "only" 48lb and looking like it might have the best Jaws and screw action etc - so fingers crossed its as-hoped when I get it apart and cleaned-up).
I do have a Record 52 Woodworking vice as well - but I don't fancy trying to clamp / abuse a Vice with any item needing some heavy force / handling in a vice just designed to hold wood pieces.
(Really I think I've got these lumps more because I just like the "proper" old-fashioned build quality and that they've stood the test of time and hard work so well - "they don't make em like that anymore" thing )

 

[MattF]

Don't get rid of the 9. Those aren't common.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

I'd have to move! (Or level the house to expand and get bigger stuff out the back

We will like to see that build.,
Lots of pictures when you do.