Record Auto Vice 74 Vise Restoration & Repair

[@9Antonian]

I liked your video, a cup of tea or coffee and a nice old vise to restore, life doesn’t get much better.

[@TinkerBod]

Dam it my secret is out, glad you liked it 👍

[@garyleadbitter2673]

Just bought record auto vice 74 for £25. Perfect working order. Just cleaned and degunked it, repainted it original red. Fitted it to my workbench. Love it.

[@TinkerBod]

You got lucky well done, want to find me a Swinden vice for £25.

[@patriciamueller6892]

I just love old vises! Older the better I like to tinker with them and show my grand children they helped me had tears of joy!keep your stick on the ice kid!! Bye mate!

[@TinkerBod]

Cheers 👍

[@tommyhanlon8012]

Nice job. Good to see such tools saved.

[@TinkerBod]

Cheers 👍

[@Berowra90]

Nice restoration on your autovice, I love these vice's, I have t in my workshop including one I purchased new in 1979 so they were still being made probably into the 1980's. One of mine is my fathers that he purchased new in 1950 unfortunately he broke trying to bend something it with a lot of force. I've since had it welded back together but as they are only cast steel they are not the strongest in the world it's just a keepsake now. Enjoy yours.

[@TinkerBod]

Thanks...👍

[@BestUserNameUK]

Some great engineering skills on display there. That's a true restoration, the 74 is a smashing vice. I've recently acquired a 23 and love it.

[@TinkerBod]

Thanks fella, kind words. I spent many an hour in front of a Record 23 as an apprentice, making centre finders and tool makers clamps.

[@jusb1066]

i restored a 25, about 30 years ago, stil use it almost daily, have a 0 and a modern irwin now also

[@rickydub6950]

Great job man 👌👏 some amount of skill you have there too 😁 just bought one of these today, cant wait for it to arrive and put it to good use 👍

[@TinkerBod]

Thank you for the kind words and good luck with yours 👍

[@danceswithaardvarks3284]

I just got one of these to restore, so that was really useful thanks. It is missing the swivel base, so i will have to convert it to use a more modern swivel base unless I can find a donor base to cast from. Apart from that it is clean and undamaged. Just finished the smaller 80 model and painted it with Paragon BS381C Signal Red, which is probably the original colour. Their paints are superior to Hammerite IMO and they make many correct colours for old machines and vices.

[@TinkerBod]

There is a chap on ebay UK selling the pipe jaw now, got myself one. Best of luck with yours....

[@danceswithaardvarks3284]

@@TinkerBod Thanks, I will get one. Got it on a modern swivel base today, bit of a shame, but more functional than the original.

[@turboslag]

Good job, and a part of proper British manufacturing saved for posterity! I have 4 of these vices and a brand new 75, which is the big (very big!) brother to the 74. Of the four 74's, one is a superb example of this earlier 74 design, with the rounded lead screw head. It has been used but obviously cherished as it is remarkable condition and even came with the cylinder head holder adaptor! I can give you the dimensions of that if you want to make one. Another is a virtually unused, later design with a squared off lead screw head, it has surface rust from poor storage but is as new apart from that. The other 2 are mechanically good but need TLC, and one needs a new clamp washer and thumb screw making. The 75 is literally new, never used, in box! Probably 60's or 70's as the lead screw head is squared off. I also have about 6 of the Imp vice, which is the smaller, table clamp type. Of those 6, 3 are brand new, in the box! One has been restored by the seller, in blue but he made a good job of it apart from that, the other 2 are good users. So, as you can easily deduce, I have a thing for vices! I think the pride of my collection is the 75, and a brand new, in the wooden crate, 6" Woden, quick release engineers vice. This was originally supplied to the MOD but is in civvy colours, which is unusual, and no WD trident markings. That cost me quite alot, as the seller knew what he had, but still a third of the price of a new Irving Record, Chinese made equivalent. I do use vices as intended though. My daily drivers as it were, are a 6" QR Record fitters vice, in VGC but well used. A 4" Swinden, double headed swivel vice, bought new at vast expense, but worth it! Finally, a 4" German Heuer, superbly made and a very different design compared to British vices. Vices are like hammers, probably the most useful but most abused tools ever!

[@TinkerBod]

Firstly what a top tag name you have, made me chuckle....Yep you sure have a thing for vices, the thing is people who have an interest in engineering/industrial engineering now are becoming rare themselves, what i have learnt since doing this YT Channel stuff there are some really nice interesting people out there still. If ever you want to sell that Swindens give me first dibs, I so want one of them, but the battered crap on ebay just puts me off and the prices. I have since purchased an adaptor for the vice, one come up on ebay but thanks for the offer. I need to stop collecting stuff myself i keep getting side tracked, hence my video history, loads of half finished projects/vids, hey it keeps the brain thinking....All the best & may your interests long continue.....

[@turboslag]

I'm not so sure about the decline in interest for industrial and engineering, I'm seeing more people with a desire to discover our industrial heritage, and prices of quality, British made tools are definitely increasing, on ebay anyway. When I first started watching out for vices in good condition, you could get some really good bargains, now the prices are quite high. Same for hand tools. I'll have to disappoint you on the Swinden, that will be with me until I pop my clogs! I had a 6" version too, but decided I could do without that when someone offered me a large wedge of cash for it! I regret it now! That was probably the heaviest vice I've ever known! Old stuff has real substance to it, good materials, good engineering, solid appeal! When I found out Stanley had bought Record Tools, then moved the whole factory to China, I almost cried! The cheeky bar stewards even have the nerve to charge the same prices as the Sheffield made product! People say I live in the past, I say whats wrong with that, the present and the bloody future isn't so great, to my eyes anyway! I must start doing some vids for YT myself, I have plenty of material, apart from that already mentioned, I have a few old air compressors too, and don't get me started on old motorcycles!

[@TinkerBod]

I hope you are right. My final Honda Chaly Vid comes out this week if 1970's scooters/mopeds are your thing, then a bit of TT Isle Of Man 2018, then a bit of my fireblade, then a 1930s pedal scroll/fret saw (going to motorise that, dont cringe bare with it).......

[@turboslag]

Honda Chaly, theres a bike I haven't seen mentioned in many decades!! I have a 1976 C70 with only 2600 miles on it by it's one former owner, looks virtually like new. Also 1972 Mobylette 50V in really nice nick. Then a n as new 1979 MZ 125 Alpine, not even registered! Also Ducati's, a Velo, a Matchless, and a Sanglas 500 V5!! My latest buys are a 2005 MV Agusta 750 Brutale, that is a bloody nice bike, always wanted one and prices are sooo low now! Also a Royal Enfield 500 Pegasus, brand new. First brand new bike I've bought in a very long time. It's really nice to ride, not fast at all, just like a 50's brit single but with all mod cons! That scroll saw sounds interesting!

[@TinkerBod]

Flipping heck mate, I thought I collected things, missus would go mad...

[@Zee1949]

Agreed! Keep the heavy artillery for tougher problems. Most of us don’t weld 😉

[@OldSkoolF]

Beautiful work.... I like that you saved the original screws... Saved from the scrap heap. That Vice won't snap off at the head like the cheap chinese ones do.

[@TinkerBod]

Thanks for the kind words, appreciated 👍

[@metallitech]

Thanks for sharing. I think I have the mini version of this one. Please get an impact driver though for the screws next time.

[@TinkerBod]

Thanks, I went out and purchased the smaller version (record imp) straight after finishing this video because i fell in love with the 75, their will be no video as it would be just one of those lets paint it and call it a refurb job video that seem to become more common now (it may make a cameo in the future), Ref impact driver, i do have one that appears in my other videos, for these bolts it did not work and actually snapped a genuine snap on tip, really i should have put this in my video its my own fault, it looked as though someone had been welding in the vice, any excuse to get the TIG out. All the best....

[@BestUserNameUK]

@@TinkerBod Here's my 'Imp' refurb' kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHfIYadsh9eGn8U

[@markharris5771]

Looks very pretty. I don’t know about the missing bits others have commented on but it definitely looks good.

[@TinkerBod]

If you have a look at the pictures off the internet towards the end of the video both the spark plug adaptor and the serrated edge Vee jaw can be seen.

[@VeradonaRestoration]

It turned out great. Thumb up and subscription, thanks for the video!

[@TinkerBod]

Thanks, Appreciated!

[@Dash45677]

Awesome job! Looks ace

[@TinkerBod]

Thanks mate....

[@steventrosiek2623]

Perfect job of restoration.

[@TinkerBod]

Thank you

[@literoadie3502]

Great restoration! Not a hack job with paint on all the machined surfaces like most other 'restorations'. The way I take stubborn jaw screws out is clamp a screwdriver bit of the right size in the vice itself, so that the tip can't slip out of the slot, and then turn the hex shank with a wrench. The screwdriver cant go ANYWHERE and the screw WILL turn! The standard screwdriver bits have a 1/4'' shank so a socket in a sliding T-bar clamped in the vice would be the best way to turn them. Second best would be a box-end wrench slipped over the hex, and worst of all would be an open end wrench or even vise-grips as I used the last time I did it (I now know better!). I have a video of doing this on my Instagram @swansea_road_bikes. The problem with small screws isn't the torque required, it's actually applying the torque without rounding-out the head (because think about it how tight can a 5/16''-18 or 1/4''-20 thread really be?) I collect vises in a way and recently bought a Record No.114 and No.23 (this is the one in my Instagram video). I have many other Record vises too, just have to get round to cleaning them up.

[@bigpete4227]

Lite Roadie That’s a good idea. I’ll remember that one butty.

[@danceswithaardvarks3284]

I know what you mean. It is super cringe when someone paints everything but the screw thread.

[@richardbradbury2642]

There is a pipe clamp for these vices that slots inside the jaws, but almost invariably missing!, the rear thread guards were originally nickel plated... its Great effort, makes me laugh when websites are full of these old english vices, yet people still purchase some chinese knock out from lidl or Aldi...

[@TinkerBod]

Yes you are right, i keep missing them on email too. BTW Look at my last slides to shows the spark plug / head adaptor you asked about Regards

[@markwilde1840]

What colour code red paint did you use? I've got a 74 & 75 vices both pinky red colour. Would ike to repaint with original colour.

[@TinkerBod]

I just painted it smoothrite red. I have a imp vice as new and i found that this colour matched the closest without a paint code.

[@TheBobSmoke]

Great video, love seeing rusty scrap returned to working condition! I just picked up a Record 74 vice for cheap, in resonable working order but missing the base plate clamp parts. I don't suppose you know what size thread the clamp bolt is? Hopeing I can make a new swivel plate or at worst just bolt it up to my work bench. Thanks!

[@TinkerBod]

No problem, its down my unit, give me a day and i will find out for you.

[@TheBobSmoke]

@@TinkerBod awesome sauce. Cheers!

[@TinkerBod]

The size on mine is 1/2" BSF. Regards..

[@garyjones7198]

Where can I find the wire brush like you used n your video? I can only find the wooden handle one about an inch wide, which is to wide for many applications..

[@TinkerBod]

Not sure country you live, but if UKThe cup wire brush is from screwfix and the thin hand one is from toolstation.

[@garyjones7198]

@@TinkerBod yeah I'm in the states, but I see those brushes used in lots of videos... I'll keep plugging away until I find someone here in the states using one n a video then try to get that info from them.. Hey your videos are great.. Keep up the great work... Gary

[@TinkerBod]

Thank you thats appreciated 👍

[@randysmith8979]

Try McMaster-Carr for the brushes.

[@petersnow389]

Van anyone help me please with a drawing, or a picture of the cylinder head adaptor, which was once available for these superb vices. I am also missing the washer that fits under the large wing nut. I am about to start a restoration on one of these vices, it is all original , other than these two points. I hope it turns out as nice as this one.

[@richkellow1535]

Yours unlike mine is missing a Vee shaped jaw that fitted into a slot below the fixed jaw and was used to hold round stock for processing

[@TinkerBod]

Indeed, Im just waiting to come across one or a nice person to do me a sketch with sizes 🤔👍

[@tristanpatterson3843]

Mine are missing too, I really need sizing and pictures like Tinkerbod.

[@tristanpatterson3843]

@@TinkerBod Different model but should be close. www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=369940

[@TinkerBod]

I think we have been ignored 🙄. Im going to sit down and make one soon and pop it in a video. The images you sent are helpful though, Cheers....

[@TinkerBod]

@@tristanpatterson3843 be quick, I have one now and they are very very well made, www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Record-74-Auto-Vice-pipe-Jaw/202723451056?hash=item2f334260b0:g:yKQAAOSwSCZcdF84

[@chrisbuggie747]

good work, the 18 minutes wont show all the effort, it came out good!

[@TinkerBod]

Comments like this make it worth while, thanks.

[@MNpicker]

Awesome vid!

[@corentincolpor214]

I just get the same ! Thanks for the little movie ! I will do the same and send u a picture When it will be finish ! =) Should it be red ? ^^

[@TinkerBod]

Thanks, yes for that model/year its red.👍

[@phucdatbich1990]

An impact driver might of loosened those screws

[@jusb1066]

heat alone might have done too

[@noquedaniuno]

With head and an impact driver he coulda get that out

[@MNpicker]

Perhaps....but the way he did it was well cool😁👍

[@TinkerBod]

I like you, you can come again !!!!

[@RicosBettaWorld]

Great job!

[@TinkerBod]

Thanks for saying 👍

[@JonDingle]

Great video TinkerBod, especially so because you didn't have music playing blocking out the sounds of your work!

[@TinkerBod]

Appreciate this comment, its hard to keep everyone happy, I prefer it this way but loads moan, dont like it speeded up, others say its too long, dont talk do talk. Some just thumbs down without any valid input as to why. Cheers ATB

[@thecynic807]

These visas with the screw exposed like that are the worst design. But you did an excellent job. I just did a prentiss no 19 swivel jaw. I'm working my way up to a really good one. Just sold it for 260.

[@TinkerBod]

This vice has got a lot of character, but I agree there are some flaws.

[@thecynic807]

@@TinkerBod what is the long screw for on the bottom. I dont get it. It has a base for three bolts

[@TinkerBod]

The three bolts holes would bolt directly to the work surface of your bench, the long thread passes through your bench and clamps against the underside of your bench to lock the rotate/swivel in position.

[@tonyday7233]

very nice.

[@TinkerBod]

Thank you 👍

[@TheRAGIBAKATON]

great jobb !

[@TinkerBod]

Thanks..👍

[@01Roberni]

Tem que ter chave de impacto... É básico em serviços pesados 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷😎🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷

[@patriciamueller6892]

Just looking for a crappy old antique vise older the better to make it bad ass new and shiny

[@petersnow389]

Sorry, slip of the finger. Can anybody help me please. Sorry about that!.

[@coryfarris3936]

Great job!