Does any one have experience with this clone of the famous emmert pattern makers vise?
Discussion Forum
Get It All!
UNLIMITED Membership is like taking a master class in woodworking for less than $10 a month.
Start Your Free TrialCategories
Discussion Forum
Digital Plans Library
Member exclusive! – Plans for everyone – from beginners to experts – right at your fingertips.
Highlights
-
Shape Your Skills
when you sign up for our emails
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. -
Shop Talk Live Podcast -
Our favorite articles and videos -
E-Learning Courses from Fine Woodworking
-
-
Replies
never heard of it. If you post a link, i'd love to see one...especially a cheap one ;-)
Spalted - see the replies that followed your posting for photo's. I've watched 2 originals sell on ebay in the past year for over $700 and lookedd at Lee Valley's similar vise that is also pricey. So I've been thinking of a clone if people are happy with theirs and it appears so.
I bought one from Highland a couple years ago and it's been used hard every day since. Highland subsidizes shipping, making it a good deal. As far as I can tell it's made as good as the originals, and all the parts come with it.
I keep a Record quick release at the other end of the bench for when the QR works best. Emmerts and Olivers weren't made with a QR feature as far as I know. The difference in price between the Emmert clone and the QR tucker was something like 400 bucks. Too steep for me, plus the Emmert opens a bit wider, all the way to 13", a feature I use a lot.
“When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone. Let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for; and let us think...that a time is to come when those (heirlooms) will be held sacred because our hands have touched them, and that men will say, as they look upon the labor and wrought substance of them, ‘See! This our father did for us.’ “ --John Ruskin.
opens a bit wider, all the way to 13", ....My Woodcraft one opens to 13 1/4 but screw disengages then!.. lol.. Seems like it will fall to the floor but dosen't! Sort of a pain gettin' the screw back in!
Bob thanks for the photo. I just finished a 2 inch maple top for my work table but see quite a large overhang for mounting the vise - how far over the cabinet edge is yours?
Thanks alll for the replies.
You can scribe fit the fixed jaw and lose half of that overhang.I couldn't because this was my father's old bench and has a threaded rod in the way I couldn't remove without a lot of destruction.“When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone. Let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for; and let us think...that a time is to come when those (heirlooms) will be held sacred because our hands have touched them, and that men will say, as they look upon the labor and wrought substance of them, ‘See! This our father did for us.’ “ --John Ruskin.
"You can scribe fit the fixed jaw and lose half of that overhang."But wouldn't you then loose the pivot ability? Or am I misunderstanding?Do you have any problem keeping the jaws parallel with yours? I've got one of these and am forever resetting the parallel adjuster. Otherwise I like my vise just fine. The overhang doesn't bother my work in the slightest.
The jaws adjust to parallel with a handy screw mounted on top. And if either the adjustment screw or the angle adjustment lever like to come loose, a dab of varnish instead of the usual grease solves the problem neatly.And mortising the fixed jaw into the bench top shouldn't interfere with rotating the vise. See my pictures in the tutorial on installing one:http://www.woodenboatvb.com/vbulletin/upload/showthread.php?t=191&highlight=emmert+clone“When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone. Let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for; and let us think...that a time is to come when those (heirlooms) will be held sacred because our hands have touched them, and that men will say, as they look upon the labor and wrought substance of them, ‘See! This our father did for us.’ “ --John Ruskin.
My old Yost turtleback, ($50.00 at a garage sale, that was a great day..…) does the same thing. I have to reset the parallel all the time. It is no problem setting it into the bench to make the rear jaw flush with the bench top.
emmert pattern makers vise?
I assume you mean the 'copy?' like the Picture I posted?
I have had one for some time and I LOVE IT! I think I got mine from Woodcraft. It is all cast iron. The one I got (I have no idea who makes it) had castings that were a bit rough but everything worked as expected.
I had to take some files and a hand grinder to 'finish' some things but what I did was cosmetic and not for function. I do not remember what I payed for it but as I recall a 'bit' expensive.
I have two other vices on my bench but I usually use my pattern makers vise. Maybe just because of where I mounted it is more convenient.
Mounting it requires a 'bit' of carvin' up your bench. Well, a least it dosen't just sit there on top and you bolt it on.
I had a small issue when mounting it. The casting that holds the main screw (the whole thing!) hit a support for the bench top and I had to cut a big hunk out. That casting is as long as the vise opens wide.
I cannot tell you if it will replace your other vises BUT if you need to tip or rotate your 'stick' you WILL find it very useful.
The front jaw pivots end to end to allow for holding angled stock. I would suppose it is sort of a pain making sure the adjustment 'fits' your stock but I do not find it an issue. I figgure if it is adjustable you HAVE to adjust it! Not that you have to reach under your bench to use the levers that lock it in place for tipping and rotation. The angle adjustment is 'out front'....
If you have a woodcraft (or other that has one) near you... Go take a look! I guess it is just like any other tool... You either like it or 'pissed-off!'
Edited 10/1/2007 2:02 pm by WillGeorge
S2. I have the clone from Highlandwoodworking.com , and it is great. You must know however that if you have a friendship with your UPS person, it will be a hate relationship after this vise shows up. THIS SUCKER IS VERY HEAVY, but you will knock it down to it's big pieces to get it installed -THE PIECES ARE STILL VERY HEAVY--get a friend to help after you really understand the installation . At over 60 lbs. I would not install on a double 3/4 ply type bench top(or home dopy kit bench), only a 2+ to3"+ thick 24x60 or bigger heavy bench as you will cut a lot of chips from the bottom of the bench top to install the "barrel" that holds the cage beam and main screw under the top.
BTW. highland is at $199 and reasonable shipping. They are #2 on my list of go to suppliers(lee valley is #1+ as they should be teaching customer service to the rest of these guys)you will like this vise. Paddy
Thanks Paddy - I've asked Highland for their shipping cost to Canada because a number of you have mentioned their subsidized shipping - we'll see.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled