Was at a tool suppliers in town yesterday. They had a 8" eclipse engineers vice as a special offer on display in the window. Anyone have any experience of these vices ? It is very like the record vices of old, but i know they aren't made in england anymore.
The word is that they are now made in China and are nowhere near as good as they used to be.
8" S&J Eclipse vice can be found on ebay for about £115 inc free delivery (in the UK). I won't give a link but it's easy to find. I'd be surprised if you couldn't find a similar deal in Ireland. A no name Chinese 8" vice is about £50 inc delivery on ebay.
There are a few ads for NOS old Eclipse vices and they are much dearer.
Vices are one of those things where you get much better value second hand if you look around and are a bit patient. You may have to look on ebay till you find one near you for collection only or try autojumbles and such. If you are prepared to pay up to £100 you can get an awesome vice second hand. There are cast steel vices and all sorts. I got a Record No5 for £25 at a car boot sale. Much better value than any vice you can buy new for that much. The For Sale section on here has had loads of decent vices for reasonable money.