Planking Vice

[Ed Gibbons]

Can anyone recommend a vice/holder for planking?

 

 Thanks. 

[glbarlow]

The Amati keel clamp is what I use, plus cradles I make from scrap wood depending on what stage I’m at

 

https://www.micromark.com/Amati-Keel-Klamper-Swivel-Vise-for-Ship-Modelers

 

[allanyed]

Hi Ed,

Glenn may have the best answer, but not sure if you are talking about holding the hull while you put in your planking or something to hold the planking in place.   If you are building POF, the keel holder may not help as much when you are planking between the wales and garboard.  Be sure to read the planking tutorials here at MSW, it will help you get it done properly and with as little trouble as possible.  Some, not all,  kits would have the planking done in a way that is not close to realistic so beware.  Study Glenn's build log on the cutter Cheerful as he does a VERY good job on the planking!!

 

[Bob Cleek]

I've found my Zyliss "Swiss Army" vise is very handy for holding keels when planking (along with a lot of other stuff.). Unfortunately, they are quite expensive and the Chinese knock-offs are junk. (Fear not, I never pay retail if I can avoid it.  ) I hear the"real" ones are still made in Switzerland where they were developed for field use by the Swiss Army and now marked as the "SwissRex System" Workshop." https://www.rexmetall.ch/System-Workshop-SWISSREX:::384.html?language=en They appear used on eBay, priced under $100 used, but you have to make sure you are not missing any of the attachments (replacements available online still.  and aren't getting a "Gripmaster" or "Mr. Strong" Chinese counterfeit. https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2060353.m570.l1313&_nkw=zyliss+vise&_sacat=0  https://advanced-machinery.myshopify.com/collections/portable-clamping-system-parts

 

 

I've got my eye on a Stanley 83-069 Multi-Angle Vise for planking smaller hulls. At around $55, it's a lot of well-engineered iron and the ball joint design is the best I've seen. (Some similar vises I've used seem to fall short on the ball joint design, such as the Dremel model. 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-1-83-069-MaxSteel-Multi-Yellow/dp/B001HBS0I0/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=stanley+vise&qid=1625607812&s=hi&sr=1-6

 

For shaping planks, I use plane vise jaws or shop-made jigs as needed.