Show us your bench vice(s)

[Dieselman 63]

I bough what i think (and hope) is a 4" Swinden vice over the weekend. Love to hear any comments :
- Is it a Swinden
- Any idea of age?
- It's pretty gummed up - doesn't slide in/out & rotation lock handle missing. Any renovation tips / pointers appreciatedView attachment 108102 View attachment 108103

Wire brush the area with the logo on, you'll be able to read it better, though a lot of Swindens lettering castings are quite poor

 

[MattF]

That is a Swindens. Reason it's not moving in & out is due to the leadscrew collar not being located behind the collar on the front jaw, as it should be.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

That is a Swindens. Reason it's not moving in & out is due to the leadscrew collar not being located behind the collar on the front jaw, as it should be.

The part that runs behind the collar seems to be missing from the lead screw though :-/

You can see it better on this picture from your site Matt http://vintagemechanic.co.uk/gfimag...3c/ykwqajejya_swindens_leadscrew_retainer.jpg

 

[Screwdriver]

I rather suspect the reason it's not moving is that the moving jaw is siezed solid in the body. Then it looks like someone has broken the collar by trying to wind it out with the handle. That part of the vice isn't designed to handle the amount of force that can be generated in that direction.

 

[pondy]

got myself a little Parkinson number 6

 

[InTheHighlands]

Swindens

Thanks Matt, CW & Screwdriver. Maybe the seller wasn't quite as innocent as they seemed then?! Apart from this major flaw, it doesn't look in too bad value.

I've not got the skill, or facilities to manufacture a replacement collar - have to ponder whether to hang on to it for when I might be in a position to tackle it. or whether to sell on (with proper disclosure) for someone else to use as spares / repair. Unless anyone happens to have a spare collar lurking? From comments earlier in this (v interesting) thread, it seems unlikely that Swindens would be likely to be able / interested in assisting.

Any thoughts, or suggestions would be welcome!

I've also picked up some other interesting vices on a grand sweep south from the Highlands to visit my Mun near London - will post details anon.

 

[Screwdriver]

I suggest you sell it to me!

Drop it off in London on your way

Seriously though, if you're near Ealing, pop in for a cuppa.

 

[CwazyWabbit]

Perhaps post a close up picture of the area so we can see exactly what has happened? Or bring it to London with you

 

[CwazyWabbit]

Pondy, nice to see your No6 still has some of the original paint on it

 

[InTheHighlands]

3 more pics of the Swinden - and the moving jaw can be pulled out. Just that the screw doesn't currently do anything. As I'm visiting relatives, I can't immediately spend any time fiddling with it...... [/ATTACH]

 

[Screwdriver]

Sounds like it could be the drive nut or main thread. I'll still be interested....

 

[pondy]

got myself a small leg vice for restoration

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

got myself a small leg vice for restoration View attachment 108501

Nice find.
If you can find some "Fire Black" gives a good finish.

 

[CornishPete]

Got this of ebay for the princely sum of £28. Was bolted to a workbench/cupboard thing with some well used soft jaw clip on things on it so noone else bid! I put the bench thing outside the back door ready for the tip but I've used it so much I'm keeping it! How do you guys clean a vice up? I don't want to restore it as I like the used look just want to clean, re-grease etc..

 

[MattF]

Nylon pan scourer or a brush, and some paraffin or kerosene, will work wonders for removing any caked on crud and old grease.

 

[Gareth0123]

I had two Samsonia 8" Q/R vices identical to that one stolen from me in Bury St Edmunds during 2005.



Recently I have taken to derusting steel and cleaning "greened-up" rough sawn fence timbers with 75mm Nylon Filament cup brushes.
They do a wonderful job without abrading the pieces when used in my cheapy Aldi vari speed 125mm angle grinder.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

The other month, at the Men In Shed, we were donated a nice little vice.






The person who donated it was pleased that; "Dad tools are going to be reused."

Looks nice, well in this case looks are deceiving.
It did not move. The handle was glued in place as well. Underside was a mess off rust.

So, what to do. We are short of a small metal vice, so I thought I could at least have a go.

Step 1
De rust.



Step 2
Leave over night, drink beer and recycle beer cans.



Step 4.
Clean and look at the mess.


Step 5
Wire brush clean, followed by a nylon brush and my mix of wax and linseed oil.
Look smug, drink coffee.



Step 6
Reassemble and feel smug.

 

[BarrieJ]

Any interest to anybody?
Currently on eBay as 'VICE For Scrap Not Working Parts Missing', located in Northolt, collection only, Buy It Now for £9

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VICE-For-...939258?hash=item489b6825fa:g:~OgAAOSwcUBYTYv3

 

[Seadog]

After today's acquisition I finally feel worthy of posting my collection for all to see. Now if only I could find a Swindens (and some bench space to mount them all

Record 00 from my father
Record No 3 from a friend
Record No. 23 also a gift ( broken supported register under the moving jaw )
Perfect Samsonia No. 38 Model J

 

[Turbo]

After today's acquisition I finally feel worthy of posting my collection for all to see. Now if only I could find a Swindens (and some bench space to mount them all

Record 00 from my father
Record No 3 from a friend
Record No. 23 also a gift ( broken supported register under the moving jaw )
Perfect Samsonia No. 38 Model J

View attachment 108622 View attachment 108623 View attachment 108624

Nice collection!

Unfortunately once you've started you can't stop! Collecting vices is a vice after all!