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StewMac Guitar Repair ViSe
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Author:  Jim_H [ Sun Oct 23, 2011 6:45 am ]
Post subject:  StewMac Guitar Repair ViSe
I've pretty much convinced myself I need one of these, or something similar. The old zyliss viSe setup I inherited from my father is handy for some things, but it really falls short trying to hold unusual shapes... like guitar necks, and such...

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_su ... _Vise.html

Before I plunk down $140 plus shipping for this, I thought I'd inquire with you guys and gals to see what your experiences are? I don't mind paying good money for good tools, I just want a little reassurance :)

Anyone have any feedback on this? Experiences good or bad? General comments? Alternatives?

Thanks!

Jim
Author:  John Coloccia [ Sun Oct 23, 2011 7:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: StewMac Guitar Repair Vice
Well, you can buy one of these:

http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/577167 ... akers-vise

Which I see is discontinued. I'm not surprised. I have one of those, and it's a piece of junk. It's basically unusable, not just because it's a mechanical nightmare but because the mechanism is constantly grinding on itself and leaving a messy combination of shavings and rust all over the place. I have to carefully clean every time I touch it. It's a lot cheaper, but still overpriced IMHO

Or you can buy one of these from Woodcraft

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/200351 ... -Vise.aspx

I have one of these too and it's my main vice...it's a very nice vice and I would buy another in heartbeat. I would want to see it before I bought it, though, to make sure it function properly. If you have a local Woodcraft, this may not be an awful choice :)

Or you can buy the Stewmac one for a couple of bucks more which is a bit nicer. The nicest feature they added was the locking nuts for the jaws. Without that, you're forever adjusting the jaw bolts as they loosen/tighten as the jaws swivel. With the locking nut, you snug them to exactly where you want it, and they stay. The bearing is nice (though the Woodcraft vice is pretty smooth on it's own.....mine is, anyway) and the handcrank wheel is a very nice feature too.

I need a second vice to replace the junky Wheeler and will probably get the StewMac one. Whatever you do, stay away from the cheap ones. The machining/casting on them is absolutely awful, they wobble, the jaws have too much play, etc. You won't be happy...well, maybe you will until you use a nice one and see how much better life can be :)
Author:  johnparchem [ Sun Oct 23, 2011 8:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: StewMac Guitar Repair Vice
I have the stewmac vice and use it nearly every day in the shop. It is really a nice tool.
Author:  ChuckB [ Sun Oct 23, 2011 11:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: StewMac Guitar Repair Vice
Or if you have the time and can weld, and are cheap like me ....you can build your own with ball bearings front and rear and lock nuts on the jaw swivel. Still need to put leather on the jaws.

But after the time spent,,the SM vise isn't a bad deal.

Chuck
Author:  theguitarwhisperer [ Sun Oct 23, 2011 12:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: StewMac Guitar Repair Vice
I have the SM vise as well, and use it for a variety of things, but mainly to do with making the neck.
Author:  Colin North [ Sun Oct 23, 2011 12:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: StewMac Guitar Repair Vice
I've gone with the parrot vice using various jaw (like for holding tapers) inserts like here http://www.frets.com/fretspages/luthier/ProductReviews/Tools/ParrotVise/parrotvise.html
That way I can afford 3 dedicated vices for the price of the SM. ($43 at Grizzly via https://www.facebook.com/notes/Toolshomeimprovement9/Order-Now-Shop-Fox-D3125-Parrot-Vise/201543229909243)
Handy if you have the space, more versatile in some ways, but but a bit smaller/lighter- depends on what you need/want of course.








Edit - Previous post reminds me - Time to change my signature!!
Author:  Rod True [ Sun Oct 23, 2011 12:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: StewMac Guitar Repair Vice
I have the one from Japan woodworker http://www.japanwoodworker.com/product. ... t_id=13149 and like it very much! It's certainly my main vice although I do have a small metal workers vice on another bench. When I got mine, it was on sale for $89 if I recall right. Having never used one of the Stew Mac carvers vices I can't say that it's any better but the swivel handle might be nice to have...
Author:  Chris Pile [ Sun Oct 23, 2011 2:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: StewMac Guitar Repair Vice
Guys.... it's a VISE..... not a vice (immoral or criminal habit).


(thanks to Todd and other correct spellers)
Author:  Jim_H [ Sun Oct 23, 2011 2:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: StewMac Guitar Repair Vice
Chris Pile wrote:
Guys.... it's a VISE..... not a vice (immoral or criminal habit).


(thanks to Todd and other correct spellers)


HAHAHA! No wonder my google and forum searches have been failing me! :p
Author:  Mark Tripp [ Sun Oct 23, 2011 5:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: StewMac Guitar Repair ViSe
I have two of em, and would be lost without them...

-Mark
Author:  Markus Schmid [ Sun Oct 23, 2011 8:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: StewMac Guitar Repair ViSe
Jim_H wrote:
[...] The old zyliss viSe setup I inherited from my father is handy for some things, but it really falls short trying to hold unusual shapes... like guitar necks, and such...

The Zyliss is not that bad indeed...



(If you are in a hurry jump to 0:46)

Jim_H wrote:
I've pretty much convinced myself I need one of these, or something similar. [...]

But hey, if you want one of "these", get one! I only heard good things about it, and it's much sturdier than my solution! ;)
Author:  WudWerkr [ Sun Oct 23, 2011 8:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: StewMac Guitar Repair Vice
Chris Pile wrote:
Guys.... it's a VISE..... not a vice (immoral or criminal habit).


(thanks to Todd and other correct spellers)



Well crap ! there goes MY interest ! laughing6-hehe
Author:  Mike Thomas [ Mon Oct 24, 2011 12:30 am ]
Post subject:  Re: StewMac Guitar Repair ViSe
Vice or vise depends, I suspect, on where you live. In the U.K., and here in Australia, it is usually "vice". The Oxford English Dictionary shows "vice" as the primary spelling, but with "vise" as the alternative.
Author:  John Coloccia [ Mon Oct 24, 2011 12:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: StewMac Guitar Repair ViSe
My iPhone's spell checker must be set for British English.... pfft

:D
Author:  Pegasusguitars [ Mon Oct 24, 2011 12:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: StewMac Guitar Repair ViSe
Sorry to have to say this, but I bought one of the Stew-Mac Ultimate (ultimately expense) vises. For years I had 2 of the guitar repair vises, which I had previously thought were great. After getting the Ultimsate vise. I immediately sold both of the old ones and bought a second Ultimate Vise. Very expensive, but ultimately amazing, though I had to make a slight modification to them as is common with many tools you buy from China. I highly recommend them if you can swing it.
Author:  Mike Collins [ Mon Oct 24, 2011 2:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: StewMac Guitar Repair ViSe
I have one.
I do like it.
But no vise does it all.
I have a Parrot,Zyliss,VersaVise & the Stewmac one.
They all work well for certain operations.

But I do like the Stewmac one very much.

Mike
Author:  Jim_H [ Mon Oct 24, 2011 2:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: StewMac Guitar Repair ViSe
Thanks for the inputs everyone.

I ordered the Guitar Repair ViSe this morning.
Author:  Tai Fu [ Tue Feb 21, 2012 6:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: StewMac Guitar Repair ViSe
Jim_H wrote:
Thanks for the inputs everyone.

I ordered the Guitar Repair ViSe this morning.


I think this is too late...

Before anyone in or around Taiwan plonks down 140 USD plus 200 USD shipping to buy the Stewmac guitar repair vise, I found someone who sells the exact same vise in Taiwan:

http://tw.page.bid.yahoo.com/tw/auction/e55925699?u=Y5048622186

It's half the price of Stewmac and it's the exact same thing except for the handle. I suspect it's made by the same factory. If you're in the US the shipping would cancel out the savings but for those in Europe, this is a good deal because the stuff can be sent by economy which is cheap but slow.
Author:  John Coloccia [ Tue Feb 21, 2012 7:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: StewMac Guitar Repair ViSe
That's not the same vise. It doesn't have the locking nuts for the jaws, and it probably doesn't have the bearings either. It could be made very cheaply too. I've seen examples of these vices that are so bad as to be almost unusable. The one I have from Woodcraft isn't bad at all. The StewMac one is the Cadillac of this style vice.

Anyhow, that may not be a bad vice, but it's not exactly the same and it may be junk. It would be good to see it in person before buying it.
Author:  Yvonne Bonifas [ Tue Feb 21, 2012 12:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: StewMac Guitar Repair ViSe
Quote:
Guys.... it's a VISE..... not a vice (immoral or criminal habit).


(thanks to Todd and other correct spellers)




Um, not in the UK. We like vice. [uncle]

I'll get my coat.
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