MIMF

Does anyone out there own a Stew Mac repair vise? Are they worth the cost?

I have been thinking about buying one for quite a while. I currently use a modified vise for some of my work but it looks like the repair vise might be more versatile. I just want some opinions from owners before I plunk out the cash on it. Thanks.

I've got one mounted on my workbench and I'm satisfied with it. It does raise the work to a good level for a lot of operations and it holds pretty well.

Woodcraft sells something similar (gunstock carving vise) at about the same price.

Search for a pattern maker's vise.

Buyer Beware!

I took me 3 vices and countless hours until I could piece together a decent one from the parts of all 3!

StewMac paid all the shipping, but it was a lot more work than expected for $140!

You can get a similar vice for much less elsewhere. I would have done the same if I knew what I was in for!

I think they used to make a good one, but now they are making them in Taiwan and the quality took a dive.

I like my parrot vise with modified jaws for most guitar work. I do have a bit of a vise vice though as I have a Tucker vise, Veritas Twin screw, Record 9" woodworking vise, Zyliss vise and one of those plastic record vises. VAS.

I bought one of the Woodtek Patternmakers vises, and it has been great.

http://woodworker.com/patternmakers-vis ... 01-802.asp

I've had one of these for 8 or 9 years now, never had an issue with it and find it indispensable in the shop.

I have both the Stew-Mac and Woodcraft vises (also vices, but that's another story). The Stew-Mac version is worth the slight extra cost. They seem to be the same casting but there are a few differences in fittings. The Woodcraft jaws need padding before working on finished instruments, the handle is a lethal threat, and it has bolts to hold the jaws rather than studs and nyloc nuts. All trivial -- well, until you whack an instrument against that cast iron handle -- but mildly annoying if you use the vise every day.

And I agree that the quality sucks but it's good enough and doesn't affect the vise's usefulness.

Thanks for all the info from every one. Now to make a choice. Hope I make the right one.