Emmert clone, once more

[gounthar frankfurt]

Hi,

I've read numerous threads here about Emmert patternmaker's vise, and its clones.
As an original Emmert was not an option (price & no competence with metal working) I chose a clone. :(
This thread reassured me about the quality:
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?19807-Trying-Out-an-Emmert-Vise-Clone
I still have a doubt about the one I bought (Rutlands, UK), it looks somehow different of the other ones (a lever next to the center doesn't show on the pic):200886.
I'm still waiting for the postman, time will tell.
BTW, my bench is far from finished, so this vise will have a temporary place.
I will let you know how this goes.

[Brian Kent]

Looks massive and awesome, whether it's a clone or not. I would love to have a vise like that.

[Jon van der Linden]

These clones can work really well. There have been some anecdotal posts (i.e. second hand experience) here about how the clones don't have the quality of the Emmerts, which shouldn't bother you because almost any real problem can be fixed easily.

My clone is an older AMT one. It had several issues which were easily resolved. The small cam levers were not smooth on the inside, so there were two bumpy mating surfaces, and as a result they didn't hold well. A little filing and they worked perfectly. The cam for adjusting the angle of the vise had some post casting warpage and needed a little flattening to work optimally. Annoying details, but easily solved with a file and sandpaper. Also there were some sharp edges on the vise that needed a little help. Last of all, the handle was far too undersized and was replaced with a thicker dowel.

The only complaint that I have is that hole for the main beam is a few thousandths larger than it needs to be, so there is some unwanted movement in it. Eventually if it annoys me enough I might install adjustable bearing surfaces in there, but for now the idea of doing that is more work than dealing with a few thousandths of slop. I'm sure that this is an issue with most vises of this type, so a used vise might actually be worse.

Although I like the idea of the size of the larger Emmert, I often work on smaller pieces for which the smaller size is likely more appropriate. The only thing I'd really like to see/try are the Kindt Collins (or late Oliver) vises which have a bearing instead of the tapered pins on which the front vise face rotates and overall have a much higher quality than the Emmerts.

Let us know how it all works out.

[gounthar frankfurt]

Thanks for this detailed answer. I will let you know how this works.
For the moment, my order is delayed because of an out of stock skew registration jig. :confused:

[gounthar frankfurt]

Hi,

I've just received the parcel.
http://ez2cu.free.fr/bois/2011/07/20/petite_P1030409.jpg
Hopefully, nothing seems broken.
http://ez2cu.free.fr/bois/2011/07/20/petite_P1030411.jpg
Now, I will try a mockup on a quick and dirty "workbench".
http://ez2cu.free.fr/bois/2011/07/20/petite_P1030412.jpg

[Dave Anderson NH]

Interesting that a vise purchased in France and made in Taiwan was shipped to Felixstowe England in the North Sea before going to France. We truly have a global economy. Let us know how the vise works out Gounthar. I have an original K-1 and use it all of the time, including last evening.

[gounthar frankfurt]

Well, I should have made myself clear... I live in France, but didn't find any Emmert clone for sale there. I had to buy the vise in England, from Rutlands. :o