Record Tools Categories

Record Tools

Our Range of Record Workshop Tools and Equipment

Our range of Record tools represents one of the most trusted names in British engineering, offering tradespeople and serious DIY enthusiasts access to workshop essentials that have proven their worth over generations. At the heart of our Record collection are their legendary vices – from heavy-duty bench vices and engineers vices to specialist woodworking vices and versatile multi-purpose models. These workshop stalwarts are complemented by a comprehensive selection of clamps, including the iconic Record G clamps, sash clamps with quick-adjusting mechanisms, T bar clamps, and corner clamps designed for precise assembly work.

Beyond their renowned workholding equipment, we stock an extensive range of Record hand planes that continue to deliver the precision and reliability that generations of woodworkers have depended upon. Our selection includes jack planes for general stock removal, smoothing planes for fine finishing work, block planes for one-handed operation, rebate planes for joinery tasks, and spokeshaves for curved work. These traditional tools maintain the classic designs and robust construction that made Record a household name in workshops across the UK.

Our Record range extends to essential pipework and metalworking tools, including professional-grade pipe cutters for plastic and copper tube (such as the Record 202, 200-45, and 200-30C models), pipe wrenches and Stilson wrenches for grip and leverage, chain wrenches for awkward applications, and heavy-duty bolt cutters. We also stock specialist items like drill press vices, pipe vices, clamp heads sets, and replacement vice jaws and screws to keep your existing Record equipment in top working order for years to come.

About Record

Record Tools traces its origins back to Sheffield, the historic heart of British steel and toolmaking, where the company began as C & J Hampton. The Record brand name itself derives from the Record Works factory where these precision-engineered tools were first manufactured. For well over a century, Record has been synonymous with quality British engineering, particularly in the realm of vices, clamps, and hand planes that became fixtures in workshops throughout the UK and Commonwealth countries.

Today, Record operates as part of the Irwin group and is also known as Irwin Record, combining traditional British craftsmanship with modern manufacturing capabilities. Despite changes in ownership and production methods over the decades, Record has maintained its reputation for producing robust, reliable workshop tools built to withstand the demands of professional use. Many Record vices and planes manufactured fifty or even a hundred years ago remain in active service today – a testament to the durability engineered into every product.

Who Uses Record Workshop Tools and Equipment?

• Joiners and carpenters who rely on Record vices, clamps, and hand planes for precision woodworking
• Mechanical engineers and fitters requiring robust bench vices and engineers vices for metalwork
• Plumbers and heating engineers using Record pipe cutters, pipe wrenches, and Stilson wrenches daily
• Maintenance technicians across facilities management and industrial settings
• Furniture makers and cabinet makers who depend on traditional hand planes and woodworking vices
• Model makers and instrument craftspeople requiring precision workholding
• Educational workshops in schools, colleges, and training centres teaching traditional skills
• Serious DIY enthusiasts investing in tools that will last a lifetime
• Restoration specialists working on antique furniture and heritage projects

Why Choose Record Workshop Tools and Equipment?

Record's reputation is built on exceptional durability – these are tools designed to be bought once and used for decades, not replaced every few years. The robust cast iron construction of Record vices, the heavy-duty steel frames of their clamps, and the precision-ground soles of their hand planes all exemplify an engineering philosophy focused on longevity and reliability rather than planned obsolescence. Many tradespeople inherit Record tools from previous generations and continue to use them daily without issue.

The brand offers outstanding value when viewed through the lens of lifetime cost. Whilst Record tools may require a slightly higher initial investment compared to budget alternatives, their ability to withstand professional-level abuse whilst maintaining accuracy makes them genuinely economical over time. Record vices in particular are renowned for their "bombproof" construction – a vice that can handle decades of clamping force, hammer blows, and workshop abuse without degradation represents exceptional value.

Record tools also benefit from widespread parts availability and support. Replacement jaws, screws, and other components remain available for models that may be several decades old, allowing workshops to maintain and refurbish their existing Record equipment rather than replacing it entirely. This commitment to long-term support, combined with designs that have remained relatively unchanged due to their inherent excellence, makes Record a smart choice for professional tradespeople who need tools they can depend upon.

Perfect for Your Job

Record workshop equipment excels in traditional woodworking applications where hand planes, woodworking vices, and sash clamps provide the control and precision that power tools cannot match. Whether you're hand-planing door edges, dimensioning solid timber, or achieving glass-smooth finishes on fine furniture, Record planes deliver the performance that craftspeople demand. Their woodworking vices and clamps provide the secure workholding essential for accurate joinery, assembly, and finishing work.

In engineering and metalworking environments, Record bench vices, engineers vices, and fitters vices provide the rock-solid clamping force needed for filing, sawing, drilling, and fabrication tasks. The quick-release mechanisms on many models speed up workflow whilst maintaining the jaw alignment and gripping power that metalworking demands. From garage workshops to industrial maintenance departments, Record vices anchor countless workbenches across British industry.

Plumbing and pipework applications benefit enormously from Record's specialist tools, including their range of pipe cutters that deliver clean, square cuts in plastic and copper tube without deformation, and their pipe wrenches and Stilsons that provide reliable grip without damaging fittings. These tools are equally valuable in installation work, maintenance scenarios, and emergency repairs where reliability cannot be compromised.

Types of Record Workshop Tools and Equipment

Record Vices

Our Record vice collection spans multiple specialist types, each optimised for specific workshop requirements. Bench vices and engineers vices provide robust metalworking capability with heavy-duty quick-release mechanisms, hardened steel jaws, and substantial clamping force. Woodworking vices feature broader jaws with protective wooden faces and include both plain screw and quick-release variants. Specialist options include multi-purpose vices, portable table-mounted models, drill press vices for precision machining, and mechanics vices suited to smaller components and assembly work.

Record Clamps

The clamp range includes the classic Record G clamps in various throat depths and capacities, heavy-duty sash clamps (including the renowned Record 135) for securing larger workpieces and assemblies, quick-adjusting T bar clamps for efficient workflow, specialist corner clamps for right-angle assemblies, and clamp head sets that convert standard steel bar into custom-length sash clamps.

Record Hand Planes

Traditional bench planes form the core of this range, with jack planes for general-purpose work and initial stock removal, smoothing planes for fine finishing cuts and surface preparation, block planes for end grain and one-handed operations, rebate planes for joinery work requiring stepped cuts, and spokeshaves for shaping curved components. Replacement irons ensure these planes can be maintained for generations of service.

Record Pipe and Metalworking Tools

Professional pipework equipment includes pipe cutters for plastic pipe and copper tube in various diameter capacities (including dedicated models like the 202, 200-45, and 200-30C), pipe wrenches and Stilson wrenches providing adjustable grip for installation and removal work, chain wrenches for large-diameter or awkward applications, pipe vices for secure workholding, and heavy-duty bolt cutters for cutting through fixings and metalwork.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Record a good brand for workshop tools?

Record is widely regarded as an excellent brand, particularly for vices, clamps, and traditional hand tools. The company's Sheffield heritage and century-plus track record have earned it a reputation for durability and reliability amongst British tradespeople. Many professionals consider Record vices to be among the best available, with countless examples still in daily use after decades of service. Whilst the brand has evolved over the years, Record tools continue to represent solid British engineering quality at fair prices.

Where are Record tools made?

Record's origins lie in Sheffield, England, the traditional centre of British steelmaking and tool manufacturing. As part of the Irwin group, modern Record production utilises international manufacturing facilities, though the designs and quality standards remain rooted in the brand's British heritage. The enduring popularity of vintage Record tools made in Sheffield speaks to the exceptional quality of the company's historical output.

How long do Record vices last?

Record vices are renowned for their exceptional longevity, with many examples remaining in active professional use for 30, 50, or even 100 years. The heavy cast iron construction, hardened steel components, and robust engineering mean that a well-maintained Record vice will typically outlast multiple generations of tradespeople. Even when wear occurs, replacement jaws and screws allow these vices to be refurbished rather than replaced, extending their service life indefinitely.

Are Record hand planes still worth buying?

For woodworkers who value traditional hand tool techniques, Record planes remain an excellent choice offering superb value compared to premium boutique brands. Whilst modern Record planes may not match the legendary quality of vintage Sheffield-made examples from the mid-20th century, they still deliver reliable performance for both professional work and serious DIY applications. With proper setup and sharpening, Record planes provide an affordable entry point into quality hand tool woodworking.

Can I get replacement parts for old Record tools?

Yes, Record maintains good parts availability for both current and older models. Replacement vice jaws, screws, handles, and other components remain obtainable for many vintage Record tools, allowing workshops to maintain equipment that may be several decades old. This commitment to supporting legacy products reflects Record's engineering philosophy of building tools meant to be repaired rather than discarded, and represents significant value for buyers investing in Record equipment.