Show us your bench vice(s)

[Dieselman 63]

does anyone actually use them half of them not even fastened down

Hear hear. I bought my big Woden for the quick release and bigger capacity. Use it every day. Only need one though!

 

[SparkUK]

I'm hoping to paint at least one of mine next week. What paint works best?

 

[Dieselman 63]

Hammerite is good imo. Don’t expect it to behave like ordinary brush on paint though. It lasts ages. Here’s my old 34P which I did in Hammerite smooth blue. It’s not bolted down because I was about to sell it.

I use it on all my Record vices. Here’s a 53A I did. I think Hammerite gets a bad rap because s lot of amateurs use it, but with considerate application you can do a really good job. On this vice I shotblasted the rust off so I primed it quickly. You can see the paint adheres as well to primed metal as well as bare metal as on the 34P.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Hamerite smooth is a good finish and long lasting.
Plus available in many colours.

Wicks and B&Q do some good colours in their own brand metal paints. But read the tin as some do need a undercoat.

Or soak in Citric acid until you get a good black finish then buff that with a mix of Linseed oil and Bee's wax.

 

[SparkUK]

I do like that blue when it looks matt. I think I'll get away with wirebrushing my Record 25 then painting but I also have a Record 34 that I painted red about 30 years ago that I might have to get blasted.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

I do like that blue when it looks matt. I think I'll get away with wirebrushing my Record 25 then painting but I also have a Record 34 that I painted red about 30 years ago that I might have to get blasted.

Don't blast it.
Dunk it into hot caustic soda, then wash off.

 

[Dieselman 63]

Don't blast it.
Dunk it into hot caustic soda, then wash off.

Why not? Works fine.

 

[MattF]

Why not? Works fine.

It alters the metals surface finish.

 

[Maker]

It makes the finish better doesn't it?

 

[Dieselman 63]

It makes the finish better doesn't it?

Certainly gives paint a good key

 

[Gragson]

It makes the finish better doesn't it?

Media blasted of choice, will certainly provide a good paint key after prep. But the finish is usually dull / micro pepperd, could be to do with the media I use (200um glass) but I would not blast a vice. Might be fine for areas being painted but not for pretty big areas you don't want paint on and certainly not on contacting surfaces creating friction. More trouble than its worth to mask off etc, Wire or nylon wheel scrub does not take long to get the rust off.

 

[FR518]

Hi new hear I have a welder but I do like vices Some nice one on hear as well anyone else from Scotland or United Kingdom what do u guys think paint or bare metal?

 

[slim_boy_fat]

anyone else from Scotland or United Kingdom what do u guys think paint or bare metal?

Bare metal for me.

 

[Arc Tourist]

View attachment 183582 ……...............… anyone else from Scotland or United Kingdom what do u guys think paint or bare metal?

There's really no right or wrong answer. Practically speaking, I guess it depends on the degree of harsh use and the working environment the vice will be subjected to. To paint vice used for welding would seem pointless as spatter would ruin the finish in no time.

 

[FR518]

Thanks I have a vice for when I need to do any welding so not worrying about that but good point am still thinking

 

[Arc Tourist]

When in doubt, paint it green.

 

[Tractor Tony]

Ok guys what have I done wrong ??
I stripped my Record No 3 right down. Cleaned everything and then reassembled. Now it is tight and jerky rather than nice and smooth operation.
It hangs up until the spring is fully compressed while opening the jaws.
It is not paint thats causing it to bind. !!!!!

 

[Craig-SM]

Is the securing pin for the spring in correctly and not catching? Any damage/notched on the machined areas that need filling off or something? Is the nut the screw winds fitted squarely?

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Spring fitted backwards.

 

[Tractor Tony]

I put magic marker on end of pin to make sure it was not fouling. Rear nut can only go in the recess provided.