Violin Forum/Message Board

[kubasa]

Better yet, anyone ever used on of them before? If you have, did it work okay?

http://www.popularwoodworking.com/workbenches/schwarz-workbenches/the-holdfast-in-your-backyard

[Chet Bishop]

Yep-- they work very well. But I have never seen a wooden one; only wrought-iron, in Michael Klein's workshop. You drill holes in the bench at appropriate places, and drive the tail down into the hole, so that the spring of the tail clamps the short leg down on your workpiece. To loosen it you tap laterally on the back of the hold-down. Obviously this does not work at all if your bench has drawers, as mine does.

Michael Klein used to have a violin-making school in his home shop in Murphy, Oregon, and he also was a prolific maker of anything and everything. Quite a guy. I enjoyed working in his shop. It was well-equipped, spacious, airy, and well-lighted.

His house was a classic timber-built European-style home, as were his out-buildings. All his fences wre hand-made rail fences, and all his workbenches hand-made, as well. His hold-downs were hand-forged by him, as were many of his other tools, fasteners, etc.

He was/is a good instrument maker, too. He was the last student of Victor Gardener, whose real given name was Vittore Giardinieri (and who used that name toward the end of his life, as a violin-maker, at the urging of his mentor, Henry Lanini). So Michael had the Giardinieri school of lutherie.
_________________
Chet Bishop
https://bluefiddles.com
https://fivestringfiddles.com

[Joseph Leahy]

[kubasa]

I guess I was familiar with the metal ones but I never paid attention to the fact that they were actually called holdfasts.

I had never seen a wooden one from a branch before. That's what really intrigued me. In fact this has my gears turning. I have a young maple in our yard that the deer completely destroyed rubbing his velvet off his antlers. The bard is completely gone in the mid section. They've done this before and the trees have never survived so I just might have to try to make my own wooden holdfast out of it. I think I'm talking myself into this as I'm typing....

By the way, anyone know if Matt is still making violins? I enjoyed seeing his pics and posted back whenever that was.

[Joseph Leahy]

[FiddleDoug]

If you read the text, they say that the longer part, that goes through the bench, should be about 1 3/8" diameter. They say to drill 1 1/2" holes in the bench. That's not going to happen here! Most metal ones use about a 5/8" hole.
_________________
Doug Wall

www.wallindependent.com

[Bob Sp]

http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=71363&cat=1,41637

[kjb]

If you happen to be sitting around a fire you can put that 3/4" rod in the fire get it red hot, smash the end bend it and cut it and make your own. it is about he most basic blacksmithing that you can do. just let it cool slowly don't quench in water.

[kubasa]

I like your thinking kjb. I try to make as many of my tools, jigs or whatever else I need that I can. Sometimes it just isn't practical but whenever possible, I will certainly try!

[wm_crash]

[kjb]

nicely done! what type of steels are you working with? hardening

[wm_crash]

My first attempt will be O1 mostly because I like how it sharpens and that it is forgiving. I'm supposed to get to it today unless other stuff gets in the way.

cheers,
Cosmin

[kjb]

I have some o1 and a2 that I am thinking about, so far all I have done is high carbon. I got an old tempering oven and put a pid on it for programming it works fine.

i live near bethany if you ever go to the beach down here let me know.