Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

Hi, this is one of the most useful time-saving tools I have purchased in a long time, and it was around $50. When gluing or applying lacquer to an instrument under repair, I always like to have it at the best angle to aid glue flow, clamping, and for the best light positioning. This clamp does it all.
The vice is well made, strong and very stable when clamped on the bench. Importantly, it lends itself to a whole range of jigs, adaptors, and special fittings; the more I use it, the more it gets modified.
The photos show actual repair jobs in process. The violin repair is using the original jaws, in the following photos, you can see some of the modifications. Different instruments and/or tasks require different jaws; these are kept in a box on the side of the bench for quick and easy access. New jaws ready to fit showing the recesses for movable jaws Movable jaws in place Neck holder neck holder Neck Holder Neck holder Neck rest different holders for different tasks Large or small swivel jaws for tapered neck Changing the mounting gives more options Old vice on the right , new on the left
Cheers taff

Rare to see Stanley make a decent tool these days. The only Stanley tool in my shop is a No 5 plane......I use it as a door stop.

Hi again, it looks like I have a shop full of doorstops, Martin. Hahaha. Five door stops in all. However, not one of them has succumbed to holding doors open, yet. They have joined me in creating many and varied stringed instruments and Jewellery boxes, over a 60-year period. I did not realise they were Stanley until you mentioned it, and I went and had a look. Too late to change now, I'm thinking.
Here is one of them with my modification. Cheers Taff