We're doing research for a project in a course called Engineering Design Development at Faith Christian High School. We are trying to come up with a tool that would help modelers of any skill get the job done. If you would please answer this survey in a reply, it would be greatly appreciated, or E-mail us at [email protected].
Thank You!

1. How long have you been modeling?
2. What type of models do you build?
3. Do you use any clamps or vises while building your models?
4. How often do you use clamps or vises?
5. What type of problems have you had with the clamps?
6. What types of clamps or vises have caused these problems?
7. What solutions have you found?
8. Were these solutions adequate or inadequate?

How about that..some actually wants my opinion
Well..here goes:
1. How long have you been modeling?
Over 30 years
2. What type of models do you build?
Figures (busts) and armor
3. Do you use any clamps or vises while building your models?
Yes
4. How often do you use clamps or vises?
Everytime I paint my figures
5. What type of problems have you had with the clamps?
The clamp I use would not rigidly hold the brass tube I use to support my figures.
And the clamp came mounted on a handle so you couldn't stand it up, only lay it on its
side
6. What types of clamps or vises have caused these problems?
It's a hand held vise type clamp that has multiple holes drilled in the top with pins to allow
clamping of irregular shaped pieces.
7. What solutions have you found?
I drilled a hole into the halves of the clamp jaws. This lets the clamp grab the brass
tube securely. I used a piece of wood and a bolt/nut/washer to make a base that lets me
stand the clamp upright.
Here's a picture of the clamp with the modifications I made:




8. Were these solutions adequate or inadequate?
These solutions worked just fine.

I hope this is useful to you.
Be sure to let us know the results of your survey.

Ok here goes
1. How long have you been modeling? - 10+ years
2. What type of models do you build? - Armor, Figures, air craft
3. Do you use any clamps or vises while building your models? - yes
4. How often do you use clamps or vises? - 5% building 20% holding during finishing
5. What type of problems have you had with the clamps?
a - to strong (not gentle)
b- pinch point to large
c- pinch point does not articulate to match shape of pieces (it only pivots at one point, this couple with my first problem causes 'Part Launch')
6. What types of clamps or vises have caused these problems?
- hardware store style clamps for - a
- almost all style clamps for - b
- any spring loaded pinch style clamp
7. What solutions have you found?
- masking tape makes a decent substitution
- alter style to use sliding style clamps (ie pipe clamps in the carpentry world)
- use a pana vice with screw style holding capabilities
8. Were these solutions adequate or inadequate?
- yes

Hi there

Hope this helps :-)

1. 35+ years
2. Mostly aircraft, quite often short-run low-tech stuff.
3. Yes.
4. On the short run stuff... 100% of the time! Otherwise 60%.
5. They dont conform to the shape of the part you're working on. A clamp that can grip the part and have a variable pressure would be great.
6. Everything... bulldog-clips, squeeze-clamps...
7. Line the jaws with a flexible layer.
8. Yes. But I still want a pressure adjuster...

Good luck! Looking forward to the results.

Rowan

1. How long have you been modeling?
About 4 years
2. What type of models do you build?
aircraft and armor ,and r/c aircraft
3. Do you use any clamps or vises while building your models?
yes
4. How often do you use clamps or vises?
about 70 or 85% of the time 100% on the R/C
5. What type of problems have you had with the clamps?
doesn't conform to models shape ,to much pressure and not gentle enough on wood
6. What types of clamps or vises have caused these problems?
normal wood holding clamps,like these
7. What solutions have you found?
none yet
8. Were these solutions adequate or inadequate?
N/A

hope my rambling helps

1. How long have you been modeling?
15 yrs
2. What type of models do you build?
Armor figures some aircraft & cars......Gasp.......
3. Do you use any clamps or vises while building your models?
Yes
4. How often do you use clamps or vises?
50%
5. What type of problems have you had with the clamps?
You name it.....I've got it..........
6. What types of clamps or vises have caused these problems?
All have some type of problem
7. What solutions have you found?
Multiple types of clamps & Tape help
8. Were these solutions adequate or inadequate?
They work......sometimes....... #:-) #:-)

1. 8 years. 2 years for being a serious modeler
2. Anime, aircrafts, figures and AFV's
3. Yes
4. Whenever I paint very small and fragile things like antennae and body of some figures.
5. It sometimes destroy the figure of the "clamped" part of the model. Sometimes, if it's to loose, it falls sideways making your paintjob very bad.
6. Very tight and/or loose clamps
7. For tight ones, put a tissue and/or cotton to the clamp to soften it a little.
8. I find them adequate

Thanks a TON to everyone who found the time to reply! The answers posted have all been a HUGE help to us! We'll update you soon when we come out with something that looks like a prototype. It's been a pleasure!
FCAstudent :-)

PS Anyone who wants to post still can! It would be really helpful!