Replica Vice
This group project was completed over two weeks during my second year at university. The brief was to create a fully convincing replica of an existing bench vice, with a focus on accuracy, texture, weathering, and teamwork. As a team, we carefully analysed the original object, breaking it down into individual components and allocating sections to each member to maximise efficiency while maintaining consistency across the final build.
My responsibility was the vice jaws and teeth, one of the most critical elements of the project. As multiple team members were producing connecting components, precise communication and dimensional accuracy were essential to ensure the parts aligned perfectly when assembled. The teeth pattern was laser cut, while the remaining forms were hand shaped from Chemi-wood to achieve the complex curves and profiles of the original.
As a group, we colour matched and weathered the replica to accurately reflect the wear and age of the real vice. Metallic surfaces were finished using iron paste, with layers of paint, washes, and sponge chipping techniques applied over masking fluid to recreate realistic wear, scratches, and exposed metal. The project demonstrated both collaborative working and high levels of attention to detail.