lFred Posted October 16, 2020 Report Share Posted October 16, 2020 Hi I've been using old wood and cork violin assembly clamp for ages, I was wondering if some of you have experience with the Herdin , my concern is marks on the varnish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Slight Posted October 16, 2020 Report Share Posted October 16, 2020 I find them to be ok in this respect. The way they are designed means that they clear the edge, and apply pressure over the fluting or purfling. On some models of violin, you will find that the curved clamps may not match the radius at the corners perfectly. Any type of clamp has the potential to damage the varnish, or leave imprints. How you use them is of as much importance as the clamp itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Norfleet Posted October 16, 2020 Report Share Posted October 16, 2020 They work well. I've been using them for a long time and they solve more problems than they create when working on finished instruments. My only complaint is that after 20 or so years, a few of them have broken when using them with higher pressure than is usually needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arglebargle Posted October 16, 2020 Report Share Posted October 16, 2020 I've been using them for years, and have yet to find anything better. I tried the Chinese knock-offs a while back and I did not care for them. The Herdims are worth the money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nathan slobodkin Posted October 17, 2020 Report Share Posted October 17, 2020 9 hours ago, Mark Norfleet said: They work well. I've been using them for a long time and they solve more problems than they create when working on finished instruments. My only complaint is that after 20 or so years, a few of them have broken when using them with higher pressure than is usually needed. Yes. I have had the same problem and have now replaced most of mine after about 25 years of use. Interestingly the cello clamps seem not to have the problem even though I have definitely used them as much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkBouquet Posted October 17, 2020 Report Share Posted October 17, 2020 Is there a consistent place where the Herdim clamps fracture? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Norfleet Posted October 17, 2020 Report Share Posted October 17, 2020 10 hours ago, MarkBouquet said: Is there a consistent place where the Herdim clamps fracture? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wood Butcher Posted October 17, 2020 Report Share Posted October 17, 2020 Leaving them out in the sunlight will also speed up their demise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacobsaunders Posted October 17, 2020 Report Share Posted October 17, 2020 I bought my “herdim” closing cramps about 30 years ago. Now the plastic is gradually crumbling. Damn, I guess the guarantee has run out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkBouquet Posted October 17, 2020 Report Share Posted October 17, 2020 Herdim clamps are claimed to be made from polyurethane, while the Chinese knockoffs that state what they’re made from, say they’re made from ABS. Here’s an article from the automotive industry discussing the relative merits of each product, and one factor that stands out is ABS’s natural resistance to UV light, which polyurethane lacks. If I had Herdim clamps, knowing this now, I’d store them in a dark box or drawer. And I noticed that some of the Chinese knockoffs seem to have figured out that there needs to be that step difference at the jaw surfaces. Well....., at least their photos seem to suggest that. I guess you don’t really know until you open the box. https://www.theengineblock.com/polyurethane-and-abs-whats-the-difference-and-whats-better/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffrey Holmes Posted October 17, 2020 Report Share Posted October 17, 2020 On 10/16/2020 at 11:14 AM, Mark Norfleet said: My only complaint is that after 20 or so years, a few of them have broken when using them with higher pressure than is usually needed. Yup. Same here... and same problem reported by many colleagues who have used them for 20-25 years. I figure they've more than paid for themselves at that point though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Norfleet Posted October 17, 2020 Report Share Posted October 17, 2020 33 minutes ago, Jeffrey Holmes said: Yup. Same here... and same problem reported by many colleagues who have used them for 20-25 years. I figure they've more than paid for themselves at that point though. Agreed, but should I get another set expecting to get 20-25 years use from them... As a side note, mine have seen VERY little sunlight given the location of my shop space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wood Butcher Posted October 18, 2020 Report Share Posted October 18, 2020 10 hours ago, Mark Norfleet said: As a side note, mine have seen VERY little sunlight given the location of my shop space. I didn’t say it was the only cause, but they will start to break down if left in the sun for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff White Posted October 18, 2020 Report Share Posted October 18, 2020 I find, after years of using modified chinese copies, that what I like the most about the herdim's is the material that they are made of. The softer herdims are a dream to use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffrey Holmes Posted October 20, 2020 Report Share Posted October 20, 2020 On 10/17/2020 at 6:04 PM, Mark Norfleet said: Agreed, but should I get another set expecting to get 20-25 years use from them... As a side note, mine have seen VERY little sunlight given the location of my shop space. Mine too. They are kept in a drawer unless in use... I say go for it Mark! If our careers outlive 'em, great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacobsaunders Posted October 20, 2020 Report Share Posted October 20, 2020 21 minutes ago, Jeffrey Holmes said: Mine too. They are kept in a drawer unless in use... I say go for it Mark! If our careers outlive 'em, great! The Scottish blood in my veins is glad that I didn’t chuck out the old spindle cramps when I bought the Herdim ones back then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffrey Holmes Posted October 20, 2020 Report Share Posted October 20, 2020 47 minutes ago, jacobsaunders said: The Scottish blood in my veins is glad that I didn’t chuck out the old spindle cramps when I bought the Herdim ones back then Still have mine too... Can't get myself to toss useable tools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Norfleet Posted October 20, 2020 Report Share Posted October 20, 2020 3 hours ago, jacobsaunders said: The Scottish blood in my veins is glad that I didn’t chuck out the old spindle cramps when I bought the Herdim ones back then It never even crossed my mind to toss my spindly clamps. I still use them occasionally during odd repair clamping set-ups, and they still make sense for making. I wouldn't use the Herdims for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arglebargle Posted October 20, 2020 Report Share Posted October 20, 2020 4 hours ago, Mark Norfleet said: It never even crossed my mind to toss my spindly clamps. I still use them occasionally during odd repair clamping set-ups, and they still make sense for making. I wouldn't use the Herdims for that. Why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Norfleet Posted October 21, 2020 Report Share Posted October 21, 2020 4 hours ago, arglebargle said: Why? Only for a few simple reasons..., the spindle clamps are a little faster to use and I wouldn't want the Herdim clamps to possibly be compressing soft finished areas of tops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wood Butcher Posted October 21, 2020 Report Share Posted October 21, 2020 4 hours ago, Mark Norfleet said: Only for a few simple reasons..., the spindle clamps are a little faster to use and I wouldn't want the Herdim clamps to possibly be compressing soft finished areas of tops. I can see that the fluting could perhaps become marked in this way, but the spool clamps can also mark the crest of the edge if tightened too much. Maybe have less spinach before you assemble a violin next time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Norfleet Posted October 21, 2020 Report Share Posted October 21, 2020 4 hours ago, Wood Butcher said: I can see that the fluting could perhaps become marked in this way, but the spool clamps can also mark the crest of the edge if tightened too much. Maybe have less spinach before you assemble a violin next time? That's a good point. My edges don't have crests when I glue plates on, so the spool clamps spread the small amount of force they apply over a relatively large area, much of which gets removed. I make things fit well and save my (somewhat diminishing) physical prowess for other activities. I am what I am. Thanks for the reminder to add spinach to my shopping list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Burgess Posted October 21, 2020 Report Share Posted October 21, 2020 18 minutes ago, Mark Norfleet said: I am what I am. Thanks for the reminder to add spinach to my shopping list. How's Olive Oyl? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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