They say: "Need is the mother of invention". RP Myers’ has a background as a residential designer, teacher, sculptor and has always been close to the arts.
He developed a style of free form sculpted bowls and trays featuring the exquisite beauty of the big leaf maples found in the Pacific Northwest.
Carvers and sculptors all know that work holding can be a problem. Common methods of holding irregularly shaped work were carver’s screws, face plates or leaving tenons attached. These can all create their own problems. RP knew he was not the only person who needed to hold those objects so he set out to find a safe way to hold the irregular shapes with which he worked.
RP was unable to find any holding device, vise, or clamping system that would meet his needs. It was soon apparent that there was nothing on the market that would meet his needs so RP set out to develop a method of holding irregular in-the-round objects. He wanted to somehow simulate the holding properties of our hands; movable fingers and rotating wrists. RP built a prototype, tested it and the results exceeded his expectations. The result was the GRIP-ALL JAWS SYSTEM.
The first system was the Bench Vise System designed to be an auxiliary jaw set for traditional woodworking bench vises. At the request of carvers for a portable system, RP developed the Tilt-Top Portable Bench. The Tilt-Top Portable System has a 27” opening capacity and will hold about 85#. RP, always listening to potential customers, consistently had requests for a smaller and lighter system capable of going nearly anywhere. RP reduced the size of his initial invention and adapted it to the PanaVise System. RP called the new system the Orbital Holding System with an opening capacity of 14” and holding capacity of about 25#. The Orbital Holding System has the advantage of infinite positioning from horizontal to vertical and will rotate 360°, allowing an optimum angle on which to work.
Safety was the initial inspiration that spawned the Grip-All Jaws System. But its security and versatility have combined to make it an indispensable work holding tool. The Tilt-Top Portable System and the Orbital Holding System, allow the work to be positioned to wherever the artisan wants it. You don’t have to move to find a new working position to accommodate the work. The Grip-All Jaws System is a truly unique holding system and will do what no other holding system can do! As the company’s motto states: Amazing in its Simplicity ~ Awesome in its Performance”