Adjusting Record vise

[Larry Spitz]

I have a Record 53 vise which I have had to mount and dismount several times in the process of building a new top for my workbench. In the process, I must have bent or otherwise disturbed something since now when I go to loosen the vise, it does not widen the jaws but just clunks as the quick release mechanism "ratchets".

I must reach underneath and press upward on the back of the long steel flat bar in order to ensure that the mechanism remains engaged as I turn the handle. I have had a look underneath and it is not obvious wh

The vise closes normally and once the pressure is off the jaws will open further without any further intervention.

What can I do to adjust this vise so that it will let go of my work without intevention?

Cheers,

Larry

[Andy Dingley]

You've probably not got enough clearance (or maybe jammed shavings) around the bar that controls the quick-release. This is spring loaded and its own spring should be enough to always re-engage the nut within one turn of the handle. Sometimes these bars can get bent - that causes it too.

If you use the vice like this and try to tighten it (with the nut only partially engaged), there's a rist of breaking the nut.