Record Workbenches & Vices

Record Workbenches & Vices at Tooled-Up.com

Record Tools has been manufacturing premium-quality workshop equipment since 1908, establishing itself as one of Britain's most trusted names in workbenches and vices. The Record range available from Tooled-Up.com represents over a century of engineering excellence, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern manufacturing techniques to deliver robust, reliable workshop solutions for professionals and serious DIY enthusiasts alike.

From the legendary Record bench vice series to comprehensive workbench systems, Record's commitment to precision engineering and durability has made their products the cornerstone of workshops across the UK and beyond. Whether you're equipping a professional joinery workshop, metalworking facility, or home garage, Record workbenches and vices provide the solid foundation essential for accurate, safe working practices.

The heritage behind Record's workshop equipment is evident in every product detail, from the distinctive blue paintwork on their classic bench vices to the engineered castings that provide unmatched holding power and longevity. Tooled-Up stocks Record's comprehensive selection, ensuring tradespeople and DIY enthusiasts can access the same professional-grade equipment trusted in workshops worldwide.

Why Choose Record Workbenches & Vices?

Record's reputation in the workshop equipment sector is built on decades of proven performance in demanding professional environments. Their bench vices feature precision-machined components, robust cast iron construction, and innovative quick-release mechanisms that combine speed with exceptional gripping force. The brand's commitment to manufacturing standards means every vice undergoes rigorous quality control to ensure consistent performance and reliability.

What sets Record apart is their understanding of real-world workshop requirements. Their vices incorporate features like replaceable jaw faces, continuous thread engagement for smooth operation, and generous jaw widths that accommodate a wide range of workpiece sizes. The distinctive Acme thread design provides superior clamping force whilst maintaining easy adjustment, even after years of heavy use. Record workbenches are engineered with stability in mind, featuring reinforced frames, durable work surfaces, and integrated storage solutions that maximise workspace efficiency.

The longevity of Record equipment represents exceptional value for money. Many workshops still use Record vices purchased decades ago, testament to the brand's over-engineering approach and serviceable design. Replacement parts remain available for older models, ensuring your investment continues delivering results long after lesser alternatives have been relegated to the scrap heap.

Who Uses Record Workbenches & Vices?

Record workbenches and vices serve a diverse range of users across various sectors:

• Joiners and cabinet makers who require precision workholding for timber preparation and assembly
• Metalworkers and fabricators needing robust clamping solutions for cutting, filing, and finishing operations
• Motor vehicle technicians working on components requiring secure holding during repair or modification
• Maintenance engineers in manufacturing and industrial facilities
• Model makers and precision craftspeople demanding accuracy and stability
• Educational institutions including schools, colleges, and training centres teaching practical skills
• Serious DIY enthusiasts and home workshop owners who value professional-quality equipment
• Bicycle mechanics and small equipment repairers requiring versatile workholding solutions

Key Features of Record Workbenches & Vices

Record's engineering excellence is evident in several distinctive features that define their workbenches and vices:

Quick-Release Mechanisms: Many Record vices incorporate patented quick-release systems allowing rapid jaw adjustment whilst maintaining full clamping force when tightened. This time-saving feature dramatically improves workflow efficiency without compromising holding power.

Precision Ground Components: Critical surfaces are precision-ground to ensure accurate alignment and smooth operation throughout the vice's working life. This attention to detail prevents jaw misalignment and ensures consistent clamping pressure across the entire jaw width.

Robust Cast Iron Construction: Record uses high-grade cast iron for vice bodies, providing exceptional rigidity and vibration damping. This mass helps absorb impact during hammering operations and provides the stability essential for precision work.

Replaceable Jaw Faces: Protective jaw faces can be easily replaced when worn, extending the vice's working life and allowing customisation for specific applications. Many users maintain multiple sets of jaw faces for different materials.

Integrated Pipe Grips: Selected Record vice models feature integrated pipe jaws, providing secure holding of cylindrical components without requiring additional equipment or adaptors.

Popular Record Workbenches & Vices

Record's product range encompasses various specialised solutions for different workshop requirements:

Engineer's Bench Vices: The backbone of any metalworking workshop, Record's engineer's vices range from compact 3-inch models suitable for light work through to heavy-duty 6-inch and larger versions capable of handling substantial fabrication tasks. Features include hardened steel jaw faces, swivel bases for angular positioning, and integrated anvil surfaces.

Woodworking Vices: Purpose-designed for timber working, Record's woodworking vices feature wider jaws with wooden faces to prevent workpiece damage. Quick-release mechanisms and extended jaw opening capacities accommodate substantial timber sections.

Multi-Purpose Workbenches: Record workbench systems combine robust frames with durable worktops, integrated storage, and mounting points for vices and other accessories. Height-adjustable models suit users of different statures, reducing fatigue during extended working periods.

Portable Workbenches: For site work and mobile applications, Record's folding workbenches provide surprising rigidity whilst remaining easily transportable. Integrated clamping systems secure workpieces without requiring separate vices.

Safety and Compliance

Record workbenches and vices are designed and manufactured to meet stringent UK and European safety standards. Proper installation is essential—bench vices must be securely bolted to substantial workbench surfaces capable of withstanding applied forces without flexing or movement. The HSE recommends regular inspection of workshop equipment, checking for wear, damage, or loose fixings that could compromise safety.

Always ensure workpieces are securely clamped before applying force, and never exceed the vice's rated capacity. When using power tools with work held in vices, ensure adequate guards are in place and follow all manufacturer safety guidance. Protective jaw faces should be used when holding finished components to prevent surface damage.

Record provides comprehensive installation and usage instructions with their products. Following these guidelines ensures optimal performance whilst maintaining a safe working environment compliant with UK workshop regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size Record bench vice do I need for my workshop?

Vice size depends on your typical workpiece dimensions and work type. For general DIY and light engineering, a 4-inch or 5-inch vice provides versatility. Professional metalworkers typically choose 5-inch or 6-inch models, whilst woodworkers often prefer 7-inch or wider vices for better work support. Consider jaw opening capacity alongside width—larger opening ranges accommodate more varied work.

Can Record vices be repaired if they wear or become damaged?

Yes, Record's serviceable design philosophy means most components can be replaced or repaired. Replacement jaw faces, handle assemblies, and other wearing parts remain available even for discontinued models. This repairability extends working life significantly compared to disposable alternatives and represents excellent long-term value.

How should I maintain my Record workbench or vice?

Regular maintenance involves cleaning thread mechanisms, applying light machine oil to moving parts, and checking mounting bolts remain tight. Remove debris from quick-release mechanisms and inspect jaw faces for excessive wear. Painted surfaces benefit from occasional cleaning and touch-up to prevent corrosion. Proper maintenance ensures decades of reliable service.

What's the difference between Record's engineer's vices and woodworking vices?

Engineer's vices feature hardened steel jaw faces and higher clamping forces suitable for metalworking, whilst woodworking vices have wider jaws with softer faces to prevent timber damage. Woodworking vices typically offer greater jaw opening capacity for accommodating substantial timber sections. Choose based on your primary workshop activities.

Are Record workbenches suitable for professional workshop environments?

Absolutely. Record workbenches are engineered to withstand demanding professional use, featuring reinforced construction, substantial weight capacities, and durable work surfaces resistant to impact, chemicals, and abrasion. Many professional workshops rely exclusively on Record equipment due to its proven reliability and longevity in intensive commercial applications.