I am really glad I found this blog. I bought a well rated Draper 9″ vice. similar dimensions to the 52 1/2. Fact is, there is no modern maker matching what Record and Woden once had. I think the Woden to be every bit as good and better than Record, but that said, an old Record is tough to beat.

Record vice sizes | MIG Welding Forum Record vice sizes | MIG Welding Forum

Thanks, that’s clear 🙂 I hand carve wooden bowls with hand tools (rather than a lathe), my interest in the dog is for holding large – usually non-circular – bowls and greenwood bowl blanks. Work holding these irregular, often heavy, pieces can be challenging. I have various techniques, hold fasts and “horses” of my own construction to help but I am thinking dogs might be useful, for example when finishing the inside (before the sides are carved), texturing the outside (clamping the end handles), carving under the end handles, planing/carving a hollow or pattern in the base. On the other hand, it might not work very well (e.g. because the tops of the bowls are often curved). Could you tell me if any of the record 52 are good vices? Could you help me suggesting other record vices?

RECORD To Suit No 5 Vice Mainscrew & Handle,Nut,Pin,Spring,Washer & pin. C & F

IRWIN® Record® Mechanic’s Vice is rigid and robust. The body and sliding jaw are cast from close grained grey iron which is machined on all friction surfaces for a smooth, reliable action. Fitted with hardened steel jaws for extended life, they can be replaced when worn. The main steel screw has a two-start rolled acme thread for faster and smoother operation.It has a fused steel handle that will bend before the vice can be over-stressed. A safety stop prevents the slide from being separated from the body. The most popular and widely used general purpose vice for light to medium-duty applications.A full line of replacement parts are available. I recently aquired a Lion vice. Still building bench so not used it yet, but it looks good. design obviously copied from record et al. If it lasts as long again, as it has so face, then it will outlast me.

Irwin Record REC3 No.3 Mechanics Vice 4-Inch - FFX

It was replaced in the late 1950s by the 53E that was produced throughout the1960s, but this slightly more expensive model fitted with the dust guard was eventually discontinued. P.S. this is John Guengerich, the Discus log in that I used to use hasn’t been functioning so I’m using my FB. Once the worst was off I could see the original paint was in a bad way so got some paint stripper to remove this, once the stripper had started to dissolve the paint I could scrape it off. Thanks again for everything you share and do, I have learned so much from you since I have discovered your Blog and Woodworkingmasterclasses. excellent – then I will leave it intact and clean out the threads with a wire brush. I had a feeling if I took it apart it might never be the same again : )

Replacement jaws - Record ones are a bit pricey, I've not found a nice set yet so reused the original for the moment. just found a Record 53 in the garage. It’s bigger yet than the 52 1/2E, 101/4″ wide and 14 1/2″ travel.