Newark School of Violin Making
RAB Award 2022: Thomas was awarded the book ‘Stradivari Varnish’ by Brandmair & Greiner and a work placement.
RAB Award 2021:
Thomas was awarded funds for a bending iron + Herdim closing clamps from the Jim Reid bequest. Having used both items for several months, this is what he says:
I was lucky enough to receive some Herdim closing clamps from a bequest as well as funding for a bending iron. Since receiving the closing clamps I have used them to close 3 or 4 violins, as well as using them in repair work and other day-to-day tasks such as fingerboard alignment when gluing. I feel so lucky to have received the clamps and thanks to the RAB Trust I will have these great tools for decades to come.
The bending iron that I bought with the award money also gets more than its money’s worth of use. I must have made 5-6 rib structures using it for both ribs and linings, and it’s a breath of fresh air knowing that I have it there ready instead of having to work around times to plan when I have access to one. Thanks again to the RAB Trust, another quality tool to add to my collection that will get used all my life!