Carbatec Pattern Makers and Guitar or Luthier's Vice

Ultimate flexibility for clamping irregular shapes and complex workpieces.

Meet the Carbatec Pattern Makers Vice, often called a Luthier’s or Guitar Maker’s Vice. Despite the name, this incredibly versatile vice is a game-changer for almost any woodworking project. If you have ever struggled to clamp a tapered leg, a curved instrument neck, or an oddly shaped carving, this vice provides a simple and reliable solution.

The swivelling jaws automatically conform to irregular shapes, allowing you to secure workpieces without complicated jigs or unstable clamping setups.

What truly sets this vice apart is its exceptional flexibility. The entire unit rotates a full 360 degrees, and the jaws themselves also rotate 360 degrees, allowing you to position your workpiece at the exact angle required for sawing, carving, sanding or shaping. This improves both comfort and accuracy while reducing awkward working positions.

The jaws feature large wooden faces lined with soft polyurethane pads, protecting delicate timber surfaces while maintaining a strong grip.

Installation is simple. The vice mounts through any standard 19mm bench dog hole or a minimum 16mm hole, allowing it to be quickly installed or removed from your bench as required.

The Carbatec Pattern / Luthier’s Vice also features an important improvement over similar vices on the Australian market: the jaw mounting bolts. Many comparable vices use standard bolts that tend to tighten or loosen as the jaws rotate, twisting the bolt during use. While this may seem minor, it happens frequently and often requires tools to readjust the jaws mid-project.

Carbatec identified this issue early and worked with the manufacturer to develop a permanent solution. This vice uses custom headless bolts combined with nylon locking nuts, allowing you to set the exact amount of rotational resistance you prefer. Once adjusted, the setting stays consistent during use.

This means you can rotate the jaws freely without them locking up or unexpectedly loosening, delivering a far more reliable and frustration-free clamping experience. It is a simple but critical upgrade that significantly improves daily usability.

Key Features

• Rotating jaws conform to tapered, round and irregular stock
• Full 360° rotation of both the vice body and jaws
• Custom headless bolts with nylon locking nuts prevent unwanted tightening or loosening
• Adjustable swivel resistance that stays consistent during use
• Soft polyurethane-lined wooden jaws protect delicate timber surfaces
• Mounts easily via 19mm dog holes or any minimum 16mm hole
• Spreader function allows jaws to push outward when required
• 140mm maximum opening capacity for larger workpieces

Main Applications

• Holding tapered legs for chair making
• Securing curved musical instrument parts such as necks and bodies
• Carving irregular shapes and sculptures
• Detail sanding on multi-faceted workpieces
• General woodworking where standard parallel jaws struggle

Transform the way you hold your work and enjoy complete freedom when clamping irregular shapes.