Show us your bench vice(s)

[CwazyWabbit]

I like the look of the bare retaining plate

 

[Gareth0123]

Not mine, but this turned up on the tools for sale in Norwich Facebook page this evening.

If anyone would like it, then drop the £25 to me as a paypal gift and I'll pick it up for you, and then either hold it until you are this way so you can collect it, or I'll courier it out out to you at cost.

 

[Screwdriver]

Received wisdom tells me the vices with rounded ends on the lead screw are the older, more desirable versions. Typically because they were also made from better steels.

I don't know how true that is mind.

 

[wheresmejumper]

@MattF or anyone else that knows....what models of any make should I look out for that would take a 6 inch pipe and have pipe jaws?not interested in condition as long as it opens and closes

 

[Screwdriver]

@MattF or anyone else that knows....what models of any make should I look out for that would take a 6 inch pipe and have pipe jaws?not interested in condition as long as it opens and closes

Well my 634 is rated for 6 inch pipe and as it happens, is soon up for sale.

Do you really need a monster like this though or are you working on lightweight pipe?

It's about 180 lbs and a good rule of thumb is a pound per pound....

S.

 

[wheresmejumper]

I wony be paying that much anyway!it just needs to open say to 7 inches or so to take 6 inch tees,elbows and short lengths of pipe.it doesn't need to be able to clamp 6 metres of half inch wall 6 inch pipe

 

[Screwdriver]

I wony be paying that much anyway!it just needs to open say to 7 inches or so to take 6 inch tees,elbows and short lengths of pipe.it doesn't need to be able to clamp 6 metres of half inch wall 6 inch pipe

LOL. You can typically pick them up for around £50 if you keep a sharp lookout.

 

[wheresmejumper]

Cheers.the more sensible idea is a Ridgid vise as they'd be a bit lighter for a given capacity and it would be moved around a lot.but I have a closet fetish for the older stuff

 

[MattF]

Would a pipe vice not be suitable for your purposes?

 

[wheresmejumper]

Didn't think they went past around 2 inch?

 

[MattF]

That seems to have been the general, preferred size. Just had a quick check in the catalogues, (thanks to CwazyWabbit for scanning those. I've added a download link for the 1935 catalogue), and it seems they were produced in sizes upto 12". I've no idea how often the larger ones crop up though. I've ne'er paid much attention to pipe vices as yet.

Other options would be something like a 6" Swindens, (max. opening is the same as jaw width), or one of the Record vices with Pipe jaws, though they would probably be large beasts at that type of size. There are also the chain pipe vices, as well as the other style of pipe vice.

 

[wheresmejumper]

Thanks Matt
i have a chain vice but they are cannot clamp with any adjustment.if the vice isnt level the pipe wont be level.or they cant clamp in the vertical position.the same would be true with a pipe vice.i think ill just get a swindons if available,if not maybe the ridgid.

 

[MattF]

With the Swindens then, you want to keep an eye out for a 6". Any photo's/link for the Ridgid you're considering?

Btw, here's the link which I thought I'd included in my last post but obviously didn't.

1935 B&H catalogue

 

[wheresmejumper]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Superior-...hash=item419f0ecda3:m:mIvuvZpFxMXiZuxmxiY1OGg

 

[wheresmejumper]

Ive used them before and theyre good quality

 

[MattF]

That looks a nice vice. From what I hear, good quality too. Best to just double check on max. opening and also jaw depth before ordering, to make sure 6" pipe will have full clearance when you clamp it within the pipe jaws. Couldn't see those specs. on that listing?

 

[wheresmejumper]

Its nearly 6 months since i used that Ridgid last,but iirc the clamping force is good enough on the smaller models to hold 6 inch tight in the straight jaws.
The pipe jaws id use less really,for prepping etc as like explained above they are dependent on the (mobile) bench being level.the straight jaws you can level pipe independently.
This is some 3 inch spool,only pic of the old one,i think it was the 150mm model.the link above also has 200 and 250mm versions.

 

[MattF]

Looks like some impressive work you do there. I know it'd look weird, but a wood vice mounted on some standoffs so that you can bolt it down above the bench might be another possibility? They have nice wide, fairly deep jaws which you can screw your own plates onto, so a lot of gripping area and you can choose your own facing material.

 

[wheresmejumper]

How do you mean screw your own plates onto?
Are you on about the large flat jawed carpenters vice?

 

[MattF]

How do you mean screw your own plates onto?
Are you on about the large flat jawed carpenters vice?

Aye, that type. One mounted right way up but on the wrong side of the bench. I reckon one of those would make a handy vice for holding pipe, with ample jiggle room for moving bits around between the jaws without risking it slipping out. I know it would look a bit of a t*t, but you jave a lot more jaw surface with those than with a standard bench vice.