Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi, Arnt,
I like your photo tour of clamping devices. I suspect a lot of people overlook the usefulness of the bench vise as a clamping device for simple gluing, etc. I use mine frequently for such tasks.

In particular, I like seeing your hand vises. These tools have been around for a long, long time, but few people in our age seem to know what they are for. I am glad to see that you have at least two, and that you use them. These little tools show up occasionally at auction sales where I live in the central USA. Most often, none of the other bidders know what they are, nor their intended usefulness. Thus, they can usually be purchased for a few pocket coins.

To other readers: Be on the lookout for these little tools! You will be amazed when you discover how useful they can be.
Be advised that antique versions will probably require some tuning in the jaws to hold small pieces tightly. That is not a very difficult tune up.

I will add that I also have a sack full of common spring clothes pins, which can be very useful at times on small work. Also, lots of rubber bands in various sizes, lots of spring paper clips, lots of wedges and twine, and so on. And occasionally, a sturdy bench top and a heavy weight to apply pressure through gravity will provide just the clamping pressure that I need. Readers will get the idea.

Patrick

Vice Grips work well for this also....sadly, like all USA manufacturing, they decided to move to china in '08.
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/26531610/ns/b ... ing-china/