Parkinson's Patent Perfect Vise

Parkinson's Patent Perfect Vise

Welcome to the first part of this potted history of the quick-release woodworking vice, a history that will culminate with the venerable and arguably never-bettered Record 52 1/2 vice. We have much to thank a chap called Joseph Parkinson for. Parkinson did for vices what Leonard Bailey did for bench planes: he pioneered a...

Welcome to the first part of this potted history of the quick-release woodworking vice, a history that will culminate with...

Record Tools Ltd
English Workbench - fitting a Record 52 ½ vice

English Workbench - fitting a Record 52 ½ vice

As I mentioned earlier, my brilliant plan of drilling separate holes for the guide rods and screw for the vice was not a success. The holes have to be positioned exactly right and, although I had the holes in the right place, it seems I had not drilled them completely square and the rods were...

As I mentioned earlier, my brilliant plan of drilling separate holes for the guide rods and screw for the vice...

English workbench
Veritas face vice

Veritas face vice

Test fit of vice. I ordered a Veritas face vice, but did not have any suitable timber to make the jaws (I was recommended maple – no doubt any hardwood would do). Partly out of impatience, and partly because I thought a trial run would be useful, I decided to temporarily fit it using some of...

Test fit of vice. I ordered a Veritas face vice, but did not have any suitable timber to make the...

vices