Yeah, there are some awful attempts at restoration, but abuse and patina are two different things, and some vices do need reconstructive surgery; so nothing is really lost in those cases. If it brings a smile to your face, do it, as its your vice and you are the one who has to live with it.
Fortis and Ajax were brand names of the Alfred Herbert Co in Coventry
Any idea of the year of manufactur?
No idea, it has been moved onto a back burner, but there is a WD stamp on the moving jaw.
Agreed. I especially like this early Auto-Vice, which was my first choice to install in our new garage and use so far. It operates smooth as glass, shows no signs of abuse, but just honest wear over the years. To refurbish it would diminish its character. Love it as it is.
That's lovely, I have one of those myself, a really useful Vice, an excellent design.Agreed. I especially like this early Auto-Vice, which was my first choice to install in our new garage and use so far. It operates smooth as glass, shows no signs of abuse, but just honest wear over the years. To refurbish it would diminish its character. Love it as it is.
View attachment 309325
I think a better term than patina (that I used) is "honest wear" that Arc Tourist used, that better describes certainly how I personally like to see them, they've been used but aren't knackered, just show their years. Some people use the term patina but the thing looks like it's been in the sea for 10 years !
Cheers
Cheers
I'm certain that's not correct. Fortis was an independent company in Coventry. The Small Tools and Equipment Division of Alfred Herbert Ltd were agents for Fortis together with many other companies. I did my student apprentiship at the Edgwick factory of Herbert Machine Tools.
I guess I'd better apologize for this then. I bought it off of @Gingle , a Woden 4 1/2" vice thats had a miserable life. The original paint was dark blue, buried under layers of cream and black paint. The jaw fixing holes in the fixed jaw had been plugged with wood
and it had several arc weld remnants clinging to it. Its gone from this:
No apologies needed, its looking good. I also acquired a vice that had a tortured existence. There was a serious spatter of weld build up on the face, so ugly that I only kept one of the original condition photos. Gave it a full overhaul and what I thought would be a sympathetic paint job.I guess I'd better apologize for this then. I bought it off of @Gingle , a Woden 4 1/2" vice thats had a miserable life. The original paint was dark blue, buried under layers of cream and black paint. The jaw fixing holes in the fixed jaw had been plugged with wood
View attachment 309420
to this at the mo, awaiting paint and new jaws:
View attachment 309421
Its been wire wheeled, torched (to soften the arc welds), the jaw seats squared up and flattened on the mill and new jaw screws made for it. Still have to decide if I keep it (not sure where) or sell it on.
Rob
Why apologize it's yours & you can do with it as you wish, everybody has different ideas of what they should do with them & how they should look. Also you've clearly rescued it after it being in the hands of someone who mistreated it, that's got to be commended, far better than it ending up as scrap.I guess I'd better apologize for this then. I bought it off of @Gingle , a Woden 4 1/2" vice thats had a miserable life. The original paint was dark blue, buried under layers of cream and black paint. The jaw fixing holes in the fixed jaw had been plugged with wood
View attachment 309420
to this at the mo, awaiting paint and new jaws:
View attachment 309421
Its been wire wheeled, torched (to soften the arc welds), the jaw seats squared up and flattened on the mill and new jaw screws made for it. Still have to decide if I keep it (not sure where) or sell it on.
Rob
