Framers vice

[Overlander Matt]

I'm new to the framing game and on the look out for a framers vice. Has anyone got an unused one or could recommend one?

I see Lion have one for £126 https://www.lionpic.co.uk/search?q=vice or Axminster Tools do a similar looking one for £60 https://www.axminster.co.uk/axcaliber-mitre-vice-103374

Any suggestions much appreciated.

Thanks.

Matt

[poliopete]

The Stanley 400 vise (American spelling) is no longer manufactured most framers have one because either, they started framing using one, or as a backup, or for certain types of moullding better suited to be joined this way. In whatever case, they are in very short supply. They can be purchased online and in the main from the USA but they are very expensive.

I use one of the Stanley 400's and also, a Lion style one that I picked up from eBay.

To answer your question there is very little difference between them.

[poliopete]

Matt, I meant to have added you are also welcome to try your hand at side pinning using my vice's if you decide to come over for a glass cutting demo/practice.

Peter.

[jon buck]

Hi Matt

I have one that i don't use you can have it for £60.00 its a bit heavy but i can get a quote for postage.

Cheers

Jon

[Overlander Matt]

I have one that i don't use you can have it for £60.00 its a bit heavy but i can get a quote for postage.

Hi Jon,

Would that be one of the Stanley ones? That might just be of interest. Any idea what sort of costs are involved in shipping?

Thanks,

Matt

[jon buck]

20190207_125941.jpg (2.37 MiB) Viewed 12540 times

Hi Mat
Can parcel up and send for £10.00

[poliopete]

Jon, that looks a solid piece of kit, out of interest, what make is it?

[David McCormack]

I think I drink too much tea in a working day but that's about it

[poliopete]

For the first time, I totally disagree with you David How can you drink too much tea in a day

[jon buck]

Theres no makers name on it but it weighs 10 kilo

[David McCormack]

You're absolutely right Peter, you can't Cheers (can we have a tea emoji on the forum please )

Back to topic, is the Axminster framers vice any good? It's the same price new as the one being offered second hand so was just wondering? I have often thought of getting one myself.

[poliopete]

Thanks, Jon It sounds a solid piece of kit and as it is very similar to my Axminster vice, I would guess it's an earlier variation.

[poliopete]

David, to answer your question I consider my Axminster to be equal to the Stanley 400 when it comes to cranking tight the corners. Like all vices, you need a sliver of mount card between the jaws of the vice and the moulding otherwise, the metal will make an indentation even in oak.

Hope that helps.

Peter.

[poliopete]

A couple more points about the Axminster vice.

It has far superior ergonomic handles than the old Stanley, much easier to tighten if your hands are weakening. Whereas the handles on the Stanley resemble those old red "gate valves" seen in plumbing pipe works.

I have mounted my Axminster vice on a 2" block that enables me to join the first two chevrons of a frame in the same corner of my work bench without the first chevron, held in the Stanley, impeeding the second chevron, held in the Axminster, because one swiffles above the other. Hope that makes sense. This cuts down on the space taken up on my work bench and the time requied to make a frame using this glueing and clamping technique.

Peter.

[David McCormack]

Hope that makes sense.

Not one bit Peter

But nothing is making any sense to me today

[Overlander Matt]

It sounds like the Axminster vice gets the nod of approval. I guess I need to buy direct from them or make an offer on the used one.

Thank you.

Matt

[Not your average framer]

I have a an old original Stanley frames vice and have dismantled it and mounted the main part of it onto a 3 foot square solid frame and plywood in the same way as shown in Pete Bingham's book. I use it quite a bit and more recently I have been firing 18 gauge pins into the mitre joins with a compressed air powered nail gun' which produces a very satisfactory result.

Looking at the pictures, I would say that the Axminster Power Tools framing vice is the most similar to the Stanley and at half the price of the one from Lion that's the one I would personally go for.

[jon buck]

Vice now sold let it go for £25.00 didn't,t realise you could pick one up for £60.00.