TR5tar Posted July 13, 2019 Share Posted July 13, 2019 No, I'm afraid the topic might not be as interesting as it sounds. Out tidying in the garage last night, I sat at the work bench idly spinning the bar of my vice, and as I did so I noticed a slight judder on it as the jaws parted and a gritty sound as it moved. It has probably been like this for years, but I'd never really noticed, probably because I'd been too focused on whatever job I was using the vice for at the time. Anyhow, I cleaned the vice up a bit and greased it, and it now runs fine. It did start me thinking ... it could be that that vice hasn't seen fresh grease in 40 years. I can remember my father and grandfather making the bench and fitting the vice when I was about 10 or 11, so that's 42 years ago. I suspect the vice originally belonged to my grandfather, and I know that he'd have kept it in good order, but my father wasn't too hot on maintaining tools, so I doubt he ever greased it, not that I can criticise, as I've had it nearly 8 years and have only just done it. All this made me wonder about the age of the vice. I cannot see a name of the maker on it, but on one side it says "Made in England" and on the other it says "No. 3A", and some other letters that I cannot make out, before the number "68982". Does anyone recognise this particular vice and know its age? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamish Posted July 13, 2019 Share Posted July 13, 2019 (edited) The only make I know is the Record. And they had a No. 3 but I think they cast their name in it ?! Edited July 13, 2019 by Hamish Sp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TR5tar Posted July 13, 2019 Author Share Posted July 13, 2019 Thanks Hamish. I've heard of Record, and did wonder if it's one, but there is no mention of the name anywhere on the vice that I can see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AB|W Posted July 13, 2019 Share Posted July 13, 2019 If you think Classic cars attract anoraks then try looking at Vices (or perhaps Vises) on the internet. There are some serious devotees out there - and I mean that in the engineering sense. Difficult to read serial numbers:- ever tried Brass rubbing? Used to make an impression or copy of a brass tomb engraving, but rubbing a pencil over a sheet of paper against engraved or raised numbers on engineering can bring out even very difficult to read lettering. Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterC Posted July 13, 2019 Share Posted July 13, 2019 Well, after 40 years, we can rule out Chinese. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GT6MK3 Posted July 14, 2019 Share Posted July 14, 2019 What are the chances that the writing is Rd689821 ? If so, google Parkinson Handy Vise. https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/show-us-your-bench-vice-s.52872/page-141 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianR Posted July 14, 2019 Share Posted July 14, 2019 3A could it be a Triumph Sorry couldn't resist Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TR5tar Posted July 15, 2019 Author Share Posted July 15, 2019 22 hours ago, GT6MK3 said: What are the chances that the writing is Rd689821 ? If so, google Parkinson Handy Vise. https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/show-us-your-bench-vice-s.52872/page-141 You've nailed it, thanks. It is indeed Rd689821. Looks to be something a bit different and possibly a bit older than I originally thought. I've not found information on the exact model, but there's this page about the maker ... https://www.northlincsweb.net/ParkinsonsShipley/html/vises.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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