Record 53E 10 1/2" Vice

[guitpic]

I have now recieved my 53E Record vice mentioned in a previous question . Seems good condition. Odd thing with the mount holes is that the back 2 x C shape holes seem 1/2" but the front 2 complete holes look more like 7/16". Bit odd maybe so maybe I need two pairs different bolts.

Also the Jaws when tightened up although flush at the top, have a slight gap at the bottom. About 1 to 2mm. I was expecting the jaws to be completely flush. Having said that if you really tighten it to the extreme they do seem to go flush then. I assume Record have a bit of a gap there for a reason - probably so it is guaranteed then to be flush at the top. I cant imagine a piece of their equipment being put out without a purpose in its construction.

[Old_Geezer]

Good luck with it.

[buildersmate]

Record was a first class engineering tool company, Sheffield I think, but it went bust or sold out years ago.
I am aware the rights were bought by another company so I'm not sure whether you have a reconditioned old proper Record unit or a brand new one off the original pattern. The old bolts sizes were half-inch, which my boss The Builder correctly pointed out that you'd have to use M12 (12mm diameter) fixings. If an M12 bolt won't go in the slightly smaller holes, just use the next size down - M10.

[rccatnap]

I used to use this vice in woodwork class at school, back in the last century.
We made wooden plates (beech) to screw to the vice grips, so the metal did not damage the wood on the piece you were working on.
Gosh, how I miss making those lovely hidden mitred dovetail joints!
I used to dream about the damn things; usually nightmares!
If there were any discrepancies in the vice grips, the beech plates were planed accordingly to ensure their grip was parallel (flush). Enjoy your vice, I do.