Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

A few guys had asked to see my new vice so here it is for all to see.

The idea borrows from the pipe type vise, but there are a few differences.

Clamp this to any bench you wish :




These clamps ( like most ), have removable ends.
The clamps are attached by a single wingnut/screw going into T-nuts at the base of the bench board , so they can move in a slight arc.
This allows the clamp jaws contact at an angle to hug the radius of the back or top at the edges of the instrument. There are 3 width positions for the right clamp.
Soft rubber hose pieces go over the bars and a 2 "saftey strap of adjustable length ( velcrose) is attached
Two loose strips of carpet are hooked adjacent to the instrument's sides so that the pressure is not put on the back or top plates



I have three different lengthed thin ply backed carpet cauls



This widest one for working on the sides



This narrow one for working the upper bout/heel etc. . Also handy for smaller instruments like mando's and the like



Store away and the clamps are ready for other duties

Youre *****ng banned !!!!

Hi Craig,
How much would you charge to build me a new life?
Jack

Nice work Craig....ease of storage works well in my tiny shed too.

Jim

Where the hell is the inlay Craig?

Very cool though, and does address a bunch of the shortcomings I've had with mine. Now I've got yet one more thing on the "To Do List".

An what Martin said.

Craig - you are an exceedingly annoying bastard.

You never cease to amaze me with your enginuity.

bob wrote:Craig - you are an exceedingly annoying bastard.
.

Thanks Bob ,,,,,, that, and being banned twice in one evening is a bit steep I reckon . I'll take it as a complement,,,,,,,,I think,

Cheers Jack I'll make up a quote

Hey guys ,,I just got sick of wrestling the awkward bastards

Jeezuz you're a clever bugga Craig. Thats the simplest solution Ive seen, consider it stolen, with thanx

Elegant


and what Martin says


graham

Excellent work Craig, very compact and clever indeed.

What Martin and Bob said.

Cheers

Kim

Brilliant, Craig.
I like the fact it's so simple yet ingenious at the same time.

Can you give me a quote as well, Craig.
How much would it cost me for a month's worth of lateral thinking,
using your headspace ? Hourly rate is fine.


cheers,
Stu

Outstanding Craig. It meets the need in every way. I'll be trying to make one too, (with your permission?)
Mark

I like the safety strap Craig. I might adapt the idea to my vacuum clamp (I posted about that a while ago).

If I make a loop like yours hanging down and add a couple of cross pieces half way down it should create a net that will easily catch a guitar that got loose in the rare event the vacuum failed.

Dom

Mark McLean wrote: I'll be trying to make one too, (with your permission?)
Mark

Hell yes ! That's why I posted it . Everyone feel free to copy it . Let me know if you need any info ,although the pics about cover it .

I have noticed that Irwin make a clamp identical to mine ( besides the colour ) Mine must be pre Irwin takeover)
Mine are the model listed as having a 305mm. jaw space

They're listed at $26 .Not hard to get and probably available at most hardware stores

I got the pieces of carpet from a furniture store. They were selling them as little rugs for a few dollars ( ex samples) . Just the right width with a bound edge for the vice

Sebastiaan ,Graham,Kim,Mark and Dom ,I'm glad you like it . Thanks guys.

Cheers Stu and thanks mate

Geez ,,,,Banned four times and been called a bastard twice . All in a single thread

Well jeeze Craig, of course you were. What did you expect, us to be nice to you just because you've been a bit under the weather? I don't think so. You've been holding out on a really cool idea. Of course there is going to be a bit of backlash. Just remember we only abuse those we care about. We're polite to newbies and those we don't care about.

Craig,

Very cool - and extremely mini-me Troji. Consider it nicked

Okay the carpet layers have just slapped down a new carpet in the lounge and Ive got a 3 x 6m piece of the old carpet sitting in the workshop. Once Ive got the carpet down in the workshop there should be enough left over for the mother of all guitar vices.

This topic has already been moved to the new forum for 'Jigs & Fixtures', please post any further comments there. This shadow was left for continuity purposes only.

Cheers

Kim

Appreciated Lillian and Dave

On ya Martin . You'll soon see how handy the 'Shoulder Holder ' is .

I'm sure it will allow me to put more detail into areas like the end graft etc. and also very helpful with things like heel fitting/flossing

Craig wrote:On ya Martin . You'll soon see how handy the 'Shoulder Holder ' is .

So, would this be the official guitar bra than Craig?

Rod True wrote:

Craig wrote:On ya Martin . You'll soon see how handy the 'Shoulder Holder ' is .

So, would this be the official guitar bra than Craig?

Good one Rod . That may have been a better name for it !

Dear Craig,

You bastard! You banned bastard! (just wanted to make sure you knew you are appreciated!)

Very cool solution for those of us with tiny shops.

Thanks (you bastard!)

Dennis

Dennis , I've been called a bastard so many times now , I must surely qualify , what we term here in Australia, as being a " complete Bastard "

Quite a title indeed ! Mind you, hopefully I'm also what's termed a " Good Bastard " as well So much better than being known as a "Bad Bastard "
Because you build instruments of weird design Dennis , you'd be known as a "Strange Bastard "

I'm glad you like the vice mate . Build one for yourself ! Simple and inexpensive . Works very very well !

Craig wrote:Dennis , I've been called a bastard so many times now , I must surely qualify , what we term here in Australia, as being a " complete Bastard "

Quite a title indeed ! Mind you, hopefully I'm also what's termed a " Good Bastard " as well So much better than being known as a "Bad Bastard "
Because you build instruments of weird design Dennis , you'd be known as a "Strange Bastard "

I'm glad you like the vice mate . Build one for yourself ! Simple and inexpensive . Works very very well !

I believe this would qualify both of you together as a "Pair of bastards". All we need now to complete the set is for Hesh to join you guys in a dairy farming venture and this then would qualify you collectively as a "Bunch of complete and 'utter' bastards"

I love the ANZLF. People visit us from around the globe to breath in some knowledge of the art of lutherie, but whilst here they can bath in as much culture as you would find in a small tub of yogurt and that is what makes us the very best forum on the Internet.

Cheers

Kim

Craig wrote:Because you build instruments of weird design Dennis , you'd be known as a "Strange Bastard "

Thank You! I'm honored to be a Strange Bastard, and not a Vanilla, White Toast, Middle of the Road Bastard!

Dennis