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| Woodcraftr Pattern Makers Vise $99 http://w-ww.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=51399 |
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| Author: | sdsollod [ Tue Jan 01, 2019 11:02 am ] |
| Post subject: | Woodcraftr Pattern Makers Vise $99 |
I've been able to build just fine without a pattern makers vise. I use a support made to hold the neck while carving. I've always been tempted get one of these. The Stew Mac vise appears to be very well made, with some nice design features, but this "knock off" is cheaper, and with this sale price of $99 it is quite tempting... So what do you think, should I continue to survive without it? ...hold out for the Stew Mac vise? ...or go for this one? Seems like there is always something to spend $100 on... https://www.woodcraft.com/products/wood ... rving-vise |
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| Author: | Ruby50 [ Tue Jan 01, 2019 11:22 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Woodcraftr Pattern Makers Vise $99 |
What makes you think it's a knock-off? The S-M vise says it "Custom modifications make it the best!" A friend has an old one (Green, but not from Woodcraft) that I have used for Windsor chair parts. Most times you are not cranking it way open or closed, but clamping and reclamping something the same size - guitar neck?, so I think that the roller bearings are of limited value. The wheel is marginally better than the crank, you can put urethane or leather on the jaws, and the nylon core nuts are available at your local hardware store if you think they are important. I think it looks like a great deal Ed |
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| Author: | Bri [ Tue Jan 01, 2019 11:42 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Woodcraftr Pattern Makers Vise $99 |
I bought the Lee Valley version last year, virtually the same unit, and use it regularily for guitar work. I like it! B |
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| Author: | bcombs510 [ Tue Jan 01, 2019 11:43 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Woodcraftr Pattern Makers Vise $99 |
I have the one from woodcraft, it’s been fine. Like Ed mentioned, I rarely make major adjustments because it’s basically holding the same two things all the time, a neck and the SM freehand holder that I use when pore filling: https://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/T ... older.html I stole someone’s idea here and mounted it to the end of my bench to save some workspace:  Hope that helps. Brad Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro |
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| Author: | dpetrzelka [ Tue Jan 01, 2019 11:49 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Woodcraftr Pattern Makers Vise $99 |
I wondered why I waited so long to get one of those pattern maker vises, they really are handy. If you decided to go with a stock unit, like that from Woodcraft (same one I have). It is really nice to swop the bolts for threaded studs for mounting the jaws. It is one of the really nice modifications SM does, and lets you set the jaw swivel tension, and they don't loosen/tighten up the way the stock bolts often did on mine. Adjustable bolt/nut upgrade set Item # 1834 https://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/Types_of_Tools/Vises/Guitar_Repair_Vise_Replacement_Parts.html |
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| Author: | Pat Foster [ Tue Jan 01, 2019 12:33 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Woodcraftr Pattern Makers Vise $99 |
I bought one from a gunmaker's web site years ago and added leather pads on the jaws. It's much like the woodcraft version. I mount it in my front vise when I need it, but it takes up a lot of space in use, so I seldom use it. |
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| Author: | Rod True [ Tue Jan 01, 2019 1:13 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Woodcraftr Pattern Makers Vise $99 |
I have that same one, bought it from Japan Wood Work for $99. There where several threads years ago from Todd Stock showing the mods he did to his bit I think he removed his account. One of the mods was to use the removable locktite on the jaw bolts that way they don’t come loose with use. My vise came with the urethane faced jaws. You can add leather or a leather sling in case a piece falls... I’ll take some more pics of my set up later today. Adding to the end of my bench area works best for me.  Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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| Author: | CarlD [ Tue Jan 01, 2019 2:23 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Woodcraftr Pattern Makers Vise $99 |
I ordered one of these using an xmas gift card from my kid....https://www.garrettwade.com/ultimate-ve ... -vise.html. Same price, $99. Adds another axis to the parrot vise. We'll see how it works when it's delivered. |
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| Author: | doncaparker [ Tue Jan 01, 2019 3:39 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Woodcraftr Pattern Makers Vise $99 |
I own the green, non-StewMac version, and it works great. I recently replaced the wooden jaws because they had gotten chewed up with use. It’s easy to glue some leather to some wooden jaws and make the whole thing work better for guitars. The big mounting bolt goes through a bench dog hole and allows me to take the vise off my bench when I need a larger uninterrupted surface for a project. |
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| Author: | Woodie G [ Wed Jan 02, 2019 6:28 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Woodcraftr Pattern Makers Vise $99 |
From an earlier post: Quote: The StewMac vise is an improved version of the vise sold by Woodcraft, Lee Valley, Garrett Wade, and other woodworking and gunsmithing tool vendors. The three mods made to the basic vise are replacement of the swivel jaw retaining bolts with improved bolt and lock-nut retainers (prevents constantly having to re-tighten bolts as jaws swivel), urethane faces for the wood inserts (leather works as well, but can load with glue, etc.), and roller bearings on the threaded shaft. The Lee Valley tool has the urethane faces already installed, but does not come with the retaining bolt mod. StewMac sells the retaining bolt mod separately for $8.27 plus shipping. We have the StewMac and a modified Woodcraft (now offered under their Woodriver Clone brand) in the shop, and if there is a difference due to the roller bearings on the StewMac vise, it is too subtle to notice. The Stewmac vise is currently on sale at $142, while the Woodcraft item is $100. The Lee Valley item is priced at $144US as of a few minutes ago, and is still offered in the configuration above. It seems to me that the decision to be made is whether the time spent on addressing the few shortcomings seen in the Woodcraft version of the tool are worth the $42 in price difference. As Mr. True mentioned, some non-permanent LocTite will address the swivel jaw retaining issue at the cost of having to redo the job every few years as the jaws wear, while installing the StewMac threaded rod and lock washer kit ($8.27) addresses the issue on a more permanent basis. The wooden swivel jaw faces on the Woodcraft item may either be modified with leather facings ($10-$20, depending on the thickness and grade of the leather...#866192 is suitable and about $11) or replaced with urethane jaw linings at about $30...we use leather and accept that it needs to be renewed every few years with some decent oil tanned saddle leather, just as the shoulder and face vise on the woodworking bench are relined. If time is money in your shop, it makes sense to buy the StewMac vise with the mods already done. Sourcing, ordering, and installing the relevant mods will cost at least 45 minutes in time and $20 or so in materials (less shipping)...we'd view that as final costs of about $150 for the SM vise and about $200 for the Woodcraft item. For those that do not have to monetize their time and are willing to treat the Woodcraft vise like a kit, anywhere between $20 and $42 may be saved. A note on shipping...Stewmac standard shipping for those without StewMax shipping on this vise is about $15, while Woodcraft shipping will run about $18. Lee Valley is offering free shipping on orders of over $40, so delivered cost less taxes from each of those vendors is about $157 (Stewmac), $118 (Woodcraft), and $144 (Lee Valley). |
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| Author: | Ernie Kleinman [ Wed Jan 02, 2019 7:42 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Woodcraftr Pattern Makers Vise $99 |
Have the green one, mine has a crepe rubber faces epoxied on it . As I tend to overcrank it, and it conforms very well to all different shapes of wood |
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| Author: | Michaeldc [ Wed Jan 02, 2019 9:20 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Woodcraftr Pattern Makers Vise $99 |
I personally prefer my Parrot style vise with the cork soft jaw inserts. I also have the old/good version of Lmii's vacuum work holder which I use a bunch. I ordered up the SM vise a few years back and was expecting a better, smoother operating tool. SM being SM, they took it back, no questions asked. M |
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| Author: | Woodie G [ Wed Jan 02, 2019 9:49 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Woodcraftr Pattern Makers Vise $99 |
I'll emphasize that these tools should be viewed as kits. Most students end up buying either this vise or the ShopFox 'parrot' style vise after finishing up, and one of the things we always do is a full tear-down, clean-up, lubrication/LocTite, and reassembly on each. The difference in function before and after clean-up is always pretty significant - much smoother operation once all the manufacturing debris and burrs are addressed. The parrot-style vises are much simpler, but also benefit from cleanup and lube. |
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| Author: | DanKirkland [ Wed Jan 02, 2019 10:30 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Woodcraftr Pattern Makers Vise $99 |
That is a great deal on that vise if you can fit it in your shop. In my case I have very little space so it's a big challenge to do that. I went super old school and bought one of the "tall boy" Versa vises from WAY back when. It's been a nice change up. If I had the space I'd have the Woodcraft/SM style gunsmith vise at one end of the shop and my versa vise on the main bench. |
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| Author: | George L [ Wed Jan 02, 2019 12:38 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Woodcraftr Pattern Makers Vise $99 |
Mine takes up a lot of real estate and doesn't see much use. I could easily get by without it. |
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| Author: | doncaparker [ Wed Jan 02, 2019 12:56 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Woodcraftr Pattern Makers Vise $99 |
Like I said above, I attach mine to my bench via a dog hole. If I need the whole bench surface for something, I take this vise off the bench in less than a minute. If I need the vise (or my recently acquired, used parrot vise), I put it on the bench in less than a minute. There are some real advantages to using a laminated maple bench top, drilled with rows of dog holes. The bench winds up being part of a very flexible clamping system, rather than just a working surface. Vises, hold fasts, specialized workboards, etc., all get attached to the bench via the dog holes on an as-needed basis. |
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| Author: | Colin North [ Wed Jan 02, 2019 2:38 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Woodcraftr Pattern Makers Vise $99 |
I just have mine mounted on a lump of wood and clamp it in my end mounted 10" wood working vice when needed. |
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| Author: | Pmaj7 [ Wed Jan 02, 2019 3:12 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Woodcraftr Pattern Makers Vise $99 |
The SM vice is one of the first things I bought and I can't imagine being without it. I think I paid about $100 for it 10 years ago. It's on my setup bench and gets used for all set up, neck carving, holding the outside mold while cleaning up linings, holding the bridge fixture, holding the neck while drilling for inserts, holding the nut and saddle vise , etc New username, same Pat Mac |
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| Author: | SteveSmith [ Wed Jan 02, 2019 3:18 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Woodcraftr Pattern Makers Vise $99 |
I started to buy one but just wanted it for my repair/setup bench so really just needed to clamp necks. I ended up building a knee vise with a 2x4, an old door hinge and a $30 tail vise screw from lee valley. Full disclosure: Design came from Ann Arbor Guitars. Another piece of leather goes over the top to pad the jaws and catch anything that might fall. Attachment: 20170115_161245.jpg
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| Author: | Bob Shanklin [ Wed Jan 02, 2019 6:36 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Woodcraftr Pattern Makers Vise $99 |
I have the StewMac and the Parrot vices. I use them equally, which is not that often, but they are very handy when needed. Bob |
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| Author: | Ruby50 [ Wed Jan 02, 2019 9:07 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Woodcraftr Pattern Makers Vise $99 |
Steve Ann Arbor is pretty close to Kalamazoo. My daughter got to tour the old Gibson plant with John Thomas and found this: Ed |
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| Author: | klooker [ Wed Jan 02, 2019 9:11 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Woodcraftr Pattern Makers Vise $99 |
FWIW I did the Frank Ford Parrot Vise adaptation. Finding an original USA Versa-Vise for about $20 helped a lot with the decision. http://www.frets.com/FretsPages/Luthier ... tvise.html |
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| Author: | SteveSmith [ Wed Jan 02, 2019 9:43 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Woodcraftr Pattern Makers Vise $99 |
Ruby50 wrote: Steve That is cool Ed. Wouldn't be surprised if they're "related".
Ann Arbor is pretty close to Kalamazoo. My daughter got to tour the old Gibson plant with John Thomas and found this: Ed |
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| Author: | CarlD [ Sat Jan 12, 2019 12:20 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Woodcraftr Pattern Makers Vise $99 |
Feedback on the Garrett Wade version of the parrot style vise. The added adjustable arm with the locking thumbscrews works great. Have a set of wooden/leather jaw inserts with magnets and radius backs like Kevin shows. I should have waited to order in January...on sale for $77.50, could've saved $21.50. They should offer the arm separately. |
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| Author: | Mike Lindstrom [ Sat Jan 12, 2019 7:57 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Woodcraftr Pattern Makers Vise $99 |
When I started doing this, one of the first things I bought was a vise like the SM, but I found it on sale in a gun smith website for somethine like $50. I love it and it probably gets more use than any other single item in my shop. It's certainly not hot-rodded, but the guy at Tandy gave me a couple of scraps of leather to glue to the jaws. I have a big sponge from the car store that I stick between the jaws under things like necks, but have never had anything fall. I have a few holes in my benches so I can put it where it's needed for a particular job. It is kind of big, and I wish I had a place to store it when I did not need it. |
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