OPJ
Established Member
I'm always keen to go sniffing round eBay for a real bargain, even more so since I got into woodworking. I've bought some old firmer chisels, gouges, a tenon saw, hand drill you get the idea...
But I think this has to be one of my most interesting finds:
I took a quick liking to Bessey and their wonderful world of clamps. I only wish they were all an awful lot more affordable, you know!
The great thing about this piece of kit is how versitile it is. I've always found edge-planing in a vice rather awkward and the 'clink, clink, clink' really gets on my nerves. You can also remove the two parallel bars outermost to enable offset clamping for wedges, tapered legs and the like.
Maximum clamping width is roughly 4-1/2", a little dissapointing. One thing I do not like is the time it takes to screw, un-screw as there's no 'quick-release' lever as with many other traditional vices available today.
I recall someone mentioning good things about the Record Quick Vice a while ago and I think this deserves to be right up there with it. It simply holds to the bench/worktop using a couple of small g-clamps underneath, with a capacity up to 60mm - you can take it anywhere and therefore fix it to practically ANY surface. And I haven't shown this in the photo, but the two small cramps can also be repositioned to either side of the two front of back heads of the vice.
(Don't worry; I only use this old kitchen worktop on sawhorse method as a secondary/assembly bench! My other one needs a tidy up.)
As I said, I'm dead pleased with this purchase and am now keen to see how often I can really put it to good use in the (warmer!) months ahead. There was a very light surface rust/corrosion on the bars but that was cleaned up with a bit of oil and some wet & dry. No problem.
At less than £15, I think this was a great deal. And I'd suggest any one out there gives it a chance should they come across an offer. :wink:
Thanks for reading.
But I think this has to be one of my most interesting finds:
I took a quick liking to Bessey and their wonderful world of clamps. I only wish they were all an awful lot more affordable, you know!
The great thing about this piece of kit is how versitile it is. I've always found edge-planing in a vice rather awkward and the 'clink, clink, clink' really gets on my nerves. You can also remove the two parallel bars outermost to enable offset clamping for wedges, tapered legs and the like.
Maximum clamping width is roughly 4-1/2", a little dissapointing. One thing I do not like is the time it takes to screw, un-screw as there's no 'quick-release' lever as with many other traditional vices available today.
I recall someone mentioning good things about the Record Quick Vice a while ago and I think this deserves to be right up there with it. It simply holds to the bench/worktop using a couple of small g-clamps underneath, with a capacity up to 60mm - you can take it anywhere and therefore fix it to practically ANY surface. And I haven't shown this in the photo, but the two small cramps can also be repositioned to either side of the two front of back heads of the vice.
(Don't worry; I only use this old kitchen worktop on sawhorse method as a secondary/assembly bench! My other one needs a tidy up.)
As I said, I'm dead pleased with this purchase and am now keen to see how often I can really put it to good use in the (warmer!) months ahead. There was a very light surface rust/corrosion on the bars but that was cleaned up with a bit of oil and some wet & dry. No problem.
At less than £15, I think this was a great deal. And I'd suggest any one out there gives it a chance should they come across an offer. :wink:
Thanks for reading.