The MetMo Blog


We love all things engineering. From deep dives into our products to historical explorations, there’s a wealth of information just waiting for you on the MetMo blog!

Pro tip! Search ‘Driver History’ to really get your teeth in.



Latest Blog Posts

Cube vice metal prototype

A Gripping Story

This blog takes you behind the scenes of the MetMo Fractal Vise — from its early experimental clamp concepts to the final precision-engineered design. It explores the evolution of fractal mechanisms, the challenges of achieving perfect clamping geometry, and the rigorous FE analysis and load testing used to push the vise to its limits. Along the way, the team shares design insights, testing results, and a few laughs from the development journey that turned an idea into an indestructible engineering masterpiece.

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The inner workings of a gearbox

Time to torque about gearboxes

Torque. Gears. Gearboxes.
They turn fast spin into real muscle. Every machine — from drills to EVs — relies on this trio to trade speed for strength.

Gearboxes are all about balance: power in, purpose out. Spur, helical, bevel, worm, planetary — each with its own strengths, sounds and quirks.

Chase infinite torque and physics pushes back. The real magic is in the trade-offs.

And if you want to feel that torque yourself? Meet the MetMo Driver, Pocket Driver and Helico.

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Adaptor plate bolted to bench

How to Grow Your Fractal

This blog explores new Fractal Vise add-ons, including the Dual Vise Adaptor Plate for expanded clamping and mounting options, and the 32mm to 82mm Conversion Kit for easy size upgrades.

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Twist drill bit patent

The hole history of manual drills

From spinning sticks to space-age drills, we take a whistle-stop tour through 35,000 years of drilling history.

Awls, bow drills, Roman augers, breast drills, and the twist bit that changed everything—each invention built on the last in humanity’s never-ending quest to make holes faster, cleaner, and with more satisfying torque.

Power tools may have taken over, but manual drills still hold a special place in our hands (and hearts). Quiet, precise, and endlessly tactile—just the way we like them at MetMo.

If you love putting holes in wood the old-school way, you’ll want to give this one a spin.

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The medium fractal

Take A Look At Our Little Bits

The Fractal Vise is made up of 17 unique parts and 46 components, each designed with precision and purpose. From the Medium Fractal at the core to the hardened Small Fractals and symmetrical Upper Fixed Jaws, every element plays a role in delivering smooth, reliable clamping. The Stub Shaft controls movement, aided by a brass ring for silky turns, while the Posts of Power and guiding dowels keep everything aligned and running true. Even the silicone base and cross bar are carefully considered for grip and adjustability.

Behind the scenes, a mix of hardened steels, over-engineered fasteners, and thoughtful upgrades ensure strength, durability, and a satisfyingly refined experience. It’s compact, clever, and overbuilt in all the right ways—because why settle for less?

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Close up of worm gear

The one-way wriggle around worm gears

Today’s article looks at worm gears. These clever little screw-and-wheel partnerships have been quietly moving the world for over two thouuussaaand years. Yep, with three zeroes. Worm gears, or worm drives as they’re also known, are the unsung heroes of...

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Vise screwed to a permanent surface

Getting To Grips With Your Adjust-a-balls

In this update, we deep-dive into the precision-built ball clamp and workstation, the foundation for turning your Fractal Vise into a rock-solid, ultra-adjustable workshop centerpiece. The new design allows full rotational control, firm locking, and seamless integration with your workspace. Whether you’re fine-tuning tiny parts or securing hefty components, this is the upgrade your bench didn’t know it needed.

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An original fractal vise patent

History Repeating Itself

We dove deep into the origins of the fractal vice, tracing it back to 1913 and Austrian inventor Paulin Karl Kunze. Patented worldwide, his clamping creation evolved into the Mantle Vise in 1920s New York—complete with intricate dovetail joints and jaw configurations that could grip just about anything.

Despite its genius, the vice vanished by the 1930s, a casualty of the rise in mass production. But its legacy lives on—in our hands. We're reimagining this brilliant design, testing new jaws, and pushing the limits of what a vice can do.

The past has never been this gripping.

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MetMo Fractal Vise holding a 3D Print

Da Vinci did what? 6 of his concepts you’ve (maybe) never heard of

Leonardo da Vinci wasn’t just the guy behind the Mona Lisa—he was the OG mechanical mastermind. In this post, we dig into six of his most surprising and underrated inventions, including a 15th-century CVT, a hand-cranked blender, a scuba suit, and even an early corkscrew (priorities, right?).

These wild concepts show just how far ahead of his time he was—and why we at MetMo love over-engineering the everyday. If you’re into mechanical creativity, historical oddities, or just enjoy breaking things to see how they work, you’ll feel right at home.

Because even 500 years later, a great idea never rusts.

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