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Hi everyone, I've got what I feel is rather a stupid question but still.

I've got the citadel toolcase thrown in with an auction I won a while ago. Everything inside, sculpting tool, hobby drill, the usual stuff. There is also some sort of vice I can plant on the table. It has a screw which is used to fix something in the vice (obviously) and a handle that makes it tilt by maybe 5-15° in a random direction but can't be locked in place so it doesn't seem like it was intended to give variation on the model angle for painting. In fact, I think a metal miniature will be heavy enough to make the handle turn back to the "normal" position.

So, can anyone explain to me what this thing is for? Especially that strange handle? I'm really lost here.

Does the vice look something like this?



If so the lever you describe controls the suction lock for the vice, so you can secure the thing to your work bench.
I'm not sure exactly how it works though, so the best thing to do is to put the vice on a smooth surface and try the lever to see if it locks the vice to the surface.

Pretty much this, except the locking handle doesn't lock anything and the suction base is just a slab of rubber without any decent suction

I know that some people gently hold metal miniatures in them as they take longer to glue

Yeah, I get what they are meant for, i just wondered what this Locking lever is for, since it doesn't lock anything

On a flat surface it will pull the rubber gasket on the bottom upwards creating suction...basically it holds the vise to the table top.

On some surfaces, that sort of suction plate just doesn't work.

On formica or laminate or stone (smooth) it makes it stick like babygak to a blanket.

I've got one like that. It works fine on very smooth surfaces.

Indeed, I have (and like) a GW Vice.

It will not stick to my otherwise smooth wooden desk. However if used on a plastic surface (I have a 1" PVC faced foam board as a surface protector), once its on its not coming off.

I'm a big fan of this tool. Its gentle enough for plastic or old soft lead minis and robust enough to get a nice strong grip on most things.

You can wet the plastic surface a little for better vacuum, wooden will not work since they have structure, fake wood might work tho.

After reading this, I've tested it. Well, the handle does create suction, it just does not stay in place unless I am willing to hold down the handle in the "down"-postion. Letting go of the handle, let alone any slight movement of the vice and the handle moves; removing suction.

Maybe your unit is defective.

Are you starting it from the right position?

The rubber base needs to be tight against the vice structure, then pull the lever down until it "locks" on.

Otherwise it could be the surface, even a seemingly smooth laminate surface night not be idea. Try it on a plasticard sheet or a plastic plate or even that flat of a bath tub.

if it still will not work on these you may have a dud. That being the case (if you have one near) take it to a GW and ask them if the will replace it (don't mention ebay!).

Thanks for the hint with the plasticard. I've tried it and it works now, though I had to start from vertical postition and turn counterclockwise iirc.