Anant 10.5" vise review, update?
Hey Brian,
I found this site after doing a 'google search' for reviews of the Anant version of the Record 53 vise. I see that almost three years ago you commented on the one you had just bought. Now that you've had it for a while, what do you think of it? Is it still holding up? I am thinking of buying one, but I'm still a little hesitant - I know that it looks like a Record vise, but is the quality there? Is the steel properly tempered so that it will hold up to years of use? Is it worth taking a chance on, or should I:
a) Buy one of the Czech made ones that Lee Valley (are you there, Rob Lee?) carries?
b) Wait for a pricey used Record 53 to show up on epay?
c) Anyone going to England? Good used ones are very cheap on English epay, but shipping one here is quite expensive. I almost bought one two years ago, and the nice English seller even inquired about various ways to ship it to me here in Maryland, unfortunately even then the cost was between $275.00 to $315.00.
So, what are they selling in England?
Hi Rob, and thanks for the response.
I'm glad to see that your company still carries what seems to be a quality Record type woodworking vise. Do you know if the Czech company that makes them is tempering the steel properly? I don't mind paying extra for a well made tool. That's my main concern about buying a Groz or an Anant, or any vise made in India or China, I just don't think that the quality is there.
Here's my other question: Why are we being told (over here in America at least), that Record woodworking vises are no longer being made? When I looked into this two years ago I was surprised to discover that English tool wholesalers are still selling an "Irwin Record Woodworking Vice 10.1/2in with Quick Release & Dog" See, http://www.toolbank.com/p/REC53ED
When I contacted some of these dealers to ask where they were being made, I was told "...in France." by one, and "...in south-east Asia." by another, and even still in Sheffield (?!) by a third. So, does anyone know where these are really being made, and why they are no longer available over here in the states? Is it just that Record/Irwin/ Rubbermaid no longer wants to pay the shipping costs, or what? Mike in Maryland