The Record No. 6 is popular because it’s compact and fits neatly on a standard bench. But smaller doesn’t always mean better. We’re focusing on workspace, how much bench space each takes, and what you gain in return compared to the Fireball Tool 510 Hardtail Vise.
Many people prefer the Record No. 6 because it’s compact and fits neatly on a standard workbench. True, it’s shorter, but that’s because it only opens to 8 inches. The Fireball Hardtail, on the other hand, is larger at 19 inches in size and may extend beyond a standard two-foot (24-inch) bench. This comes down to trade-offs: the Hardtail opens to 12 inches, giving you more jaw capacity, but requires extra length in the back to accommodate it.
So what do you do with the extra space? Honestly, I’d rather trade a little workbench real estate for more jaw capacity. More room in the jaws means more versatility. Especially with the Fireball Tool Hardtail vise.
Here’s a breakdown:
With the Fireball Hardtail, there’s extra space underneath the jaw, from tip to back. This gives us more relief for bending metal without forcing awkward angles.
The design allows you to hold pieces lower or wedge round parts easily using three points: the bottom of the dynamic jaw and the bottom of the fixed jaw.
The Record No. 6 just doesn’t have that flexibility. Work-holding options are more limited; you’re forced to grip higher up or on the flange.
The Fireball Hardtail takes up more bench space, but it’s far more capable and versatile, like a pickup truck compared to the Record No. 6, which is the compact car of vises. Would you rather save space or have maximum capacity?
