Hi - I hope this is an appropriate place to post about this dilemma. Please let me know if it isn't!
A couple of months ago I bought a ball vice from a different UK supplier. I did plan to buy the Cookson's one but it was out of stock for ages! My budget dictated that I pick a Taiwanese model that was sold as being as good as the European models but less expensive because of where it was made. I hadn't used one before and I figured a slightly inferior model would be sufficient for my needs (stone setting). Anyway, when it turned up it had a GRS logo on it. I was rather confused but figured it was either because it was an imitation (although that seemed very iffy coming from a reputable supplier), or I had lucked out in some way (!). The attachment set looked to be the same as that which came with the Taiwanese model. I didn't use many of the attachments for a while but when I tried several last weekend I found that some would not fit into the holes on the vice. The pins on one of them are different lengths. Also, the protective nylon guard fell off one component. I've attached a picture of the vice with one of the pairs of faulty attachments.
Also, here's the picture of the attachment set:
I contacted the supplier and they said it couldn't be their vice because it is a GRS vice and they don't stock them. I know this is the vice I received from them. It's a bit of a mystery. I persisted. Eventually we agreed that I would return the entire thing, because they would have to send it to their supplier for assessment, which I guess may well mean they'll be sending it to Taiwan for god knows how long. So, I'm having second thoughts and wonder if you could help me with the following:
Does anyone know of there being imitation GRS vices (which look like mine) or would you say that this looks like the genuine article?
If it does appear to be legit, do you think I would be better simply sticking with what I have and buying a GRS attachment set when I can afford one? If the manufacturing of the cheap attachment set is anything to go by, I have misgivings about the quality of the vice that would go with it.
Thanks in advance, Claire
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