Alistair Spence view: flat | tree
Subject: Re: [Frame] Re: Helm Cycles Lug Vise
Date: 4/3/2011 7:33:44 PM
List: Framebuilders
Herbie,

 thanks for your reply. I agree with a lot of it.

I will say that I think it might have been prudent to cite your
sources and influences. While it is true to say that there are only
certain ways to build a lug vise, due to the mechanical principals
involved, there can be no doubt that the fact that you've seen and
used others products will have influenced you tremendously when you
came to design your own. The overall size and heft of the the thing,
the relative size of certain parts to other parts, the materials used
for the various components etc.

Whether you realize it or not (and I'm sure you do), the fact that
you've seen and used other vises has given you some huge clues as to
how to go about building your own. With this kind of thing, I feel
that the right thing to do is to acknowledge the foundation provided
by others work that you have drawn on to make the next iteration.

Like I said before, it looks well made. I wish you well with it and
I'm sure it works great. It just looks a bit too close to pre-existing
designs to not give a tip of the cap to the guys that are already
selling those.
This is all imho of course.

Cheers.


Alistair Spence,
Seattle.

P.S. Did Anvil really discontinue their lug vise?




On Sun, Apr 3, 2011 at 6:34 PM, Herbie Helm <helmcycles@gmail.com> wrote:
> Alistair,
>
> I suppose my goal of offering a lug vise comes from a few places.
> First, I have been somewhat frustrated with the selection of vises
> that are currently available. All of them have their little quirks
> that ultimately lead to something breaking, getting stuck, having to
> use a brass hammer to loosen handles, too many parts, etc.
> Second, I help Doug Fattic teach framebuilding classes and students
> are always trying to find quality tools for a reasonable price. Out of
> all the Lug vises we have in the shop (5-6 different kinds) They
> either fall into the category of "too complicated/doesn't work" Or
> "aren't being made anymore". =A0Anvil was putting out a great vise for a
> while there, but (as far as I know) doesn't offer one anymore.
> Every tool has its pro's and con's so my goal was to take
> characteristics from the best and put them into one vise. I've put
> alot of time into improving on the design and yes, even though it
> looks a lot like what Anvil use to make, It has more differences than
> similarities. =A0There are only so many ways that you can design a vise
> and they all revolve the same mechanical principles. =A0My views on
> designing are "less is more". And I'm sure there a lot of people who
> agree with me. Don Ferris I'm sure is one of them. =A0He makes some
> amazing, yet simple tools and is at the top of the tooling industry.
> I certainly am not trying to step on his or any ones toes buy offering
> a Lug vise. I'm just trying to fill a void by make a quality product
> that framebuilders and beginners can afford.
>
> Hope this answers your question.
>
> Herbie
>
>
> On Apr 3, 3:42=A0pm, Alistair Spence <alspenc...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Herbie,
>>
>> some nice looking machining work there. I have to ask though, in all
>> sincerity, hasn't this all been done before?
>>
>> I'm interested to hear what you feel are the shortcomings of the
>> current offerings? I've got nothing personally invested in all this,
>> just an interest in learning about what works, and why, in the world
>> of bicycle framebuilding tools.
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>> Alistair.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sun, Apr 3, 2011 at 9:27 AM, Herbie Helm <helmcyc...@gmail.com> wrote=
:
>> > Hey everyone,
>>
>> > Just wanted to let you all know that I'm now offering Lug Vises and
>> > Replacement Sleeves.=A0=A0I've tryed to incorporate the great characte=
ristics of
>> > other vises,=A0while making small, but needed improvements at an affor=
dable
>> > cost. The Replacement Sleeves in particular=A0are a=A0huge improvement=
 from
>> > other designes.=A0=A0 They are also compatible with Anvil's vise and s=
ome other
>> > versions.=A0=A0 So, check them out and let me know what you think.
>>
>> >http://www.helmcycles.com/products.html
>>
>> > or
>>
>> >http://www.flickr.com/photos/helmcycles/5584026092/
>>
>> > Thanks,
>>
>> > Herbie- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
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