Product Review - Pattern Makers Vice

I had seen these pattern makers vices kicking around instore and online for some time. But I had never given them much thought, well not until Chris Schwarz specified them as essential kit for his recent stick chair making workshops. I bought twelve and stored them in the cupboard, and there they stayed until required.

I went to a visit Gary Rizzolo for coffee. Gary is famous for two things: making excellent guitars, and his home brewed lattes. Standing in Gary’s workshop I noticed one of these pattern makers vices set up on his bench. This was the first time I had really seen one operational in a real workshop. Time for a quick review…

Behold! the Pattern Makers Vice

These vices are not at all sexy like a HNT Gordon or a Benchcrafted vice. These vices appear clunky with a long boxy body, awkward styling and paint that seems a little too thick. The jaws assemblies are fixed somewhat agriculturally to the body of the vice via two heavy bright hex bolts, one bolt for each jaw. This set up means the jaws can be swivelled into any position allowing the vice to grip most conceivable shapes. The jaws have wooden faces lined with some kind of firm rubber compound. This lining compresses just enough as you grip your work allowing you to hold complex shapes and relatively fragile pieces firmly. I think I like this lining more than cork.

 The vice screw is housed within the long boxy body and is wound via a retro handle, reminds me of the metal working lathes that the cool kids used to make cones. The vice has a throat capacity of 140mm, 5.5 inches, average but adequate. The vice fixes to the bench via a single threaded rod passing through a single dog hole fastened by a second retro T handle. Again, this single post setup allows the vice to swivel 360 degrees allowing you to position the vice to suit you and the work. All the jaw components and handles are cast - the body constructed from heavy plate steel. I note the discrete ‘Made in Taiwan’ sticker.

Two bolts hold the swivel jaws in place

“So, Gazza, what do you think of the vice?” Gary took a short sip of coffee “Well!” he said beaming…

As a guitar maker Gary loves the vices ability to grip any shape, particularly the tapered guitar necks he spends so many hours working on. The jaw screw mechanism winds easily and efficiently so repositioning the work wastes no time, important if you are doing this work as a professional. And once installed the top edge of the jaws are a good 1150mm in height (depending on your bench height), the perfect working height for detailed work such as fine sawing and carving. So, if you are long in the tooth with bad eyes and a sore back like Gazza and I, this vice will help deliver you from purgatory.

Gary Rizzolo's 'Blue Wren Acoustic'

The Universe does demand balance, so there are downsides. The swivelling jaws can loosen and thus over swivel resulting in a slight loss of action and more adjustment during use. Not a biggie, just tighten the bolts with a shifter. Or do what Gary did and upgrade the two bolts to threaded rod and use a Nyloc nut.

Secondly, because the whole unit is fixed by a single threaded rod through the benchtop, if you exert a lot of sideways pressure the vice can slip at times requiring the T handle to be retightened. Again, no big deal, my tip would be keep the T handle easily accessible. I drank my coffee and got on with life. Though Gazza had sung the vices praises, my dozen remained securely stored in the cupboard right up until Chris’s arrival.

These vices proved their worth during Chris's stick chair workshops

And so, it began. The stick back workshop was in full swing with shavings flying through thick workshop banter. And right from the start the questions flowed "Where did you get these vices?”, “How much are these vices? And “Do you want to sell the vice?” The response was overwhelming. “No they are not for sale!” I said, “Maybe” I said. “I’ll think about” I said. God help me, now I want all these vices, and I have never actually used one!

Back to reality and the workshops are over. I have installed a vice in my workshop that I am using regularly. I don’t really need eleven pattern making vices so if you are still reading this drivel and want to buy a slightly used vice that I rate personally for a good price, send me an email.

Epilogue

Vise or Vice?

I had to look this up. The general meaning of Vise is any tool used for gripping. Vice means immoral behaviour and other bad habits in sight of God, I suppose woodworking could classify as a vice. However here in the colonies, and because it's easier for us to remember, the spelling of vise as vice is perfectly acceptable. Hence the ancient phrase vice versa.

These pattern making vices are available from both Carbatec or Timbecon. One is Blue, one is Black, otherwise identical. Choose your allegiance.