The main difference is the build: LMG's BB-06 is a plywood cradle with interchangeable holders. The Amati Keel Klamper 7382, by comparison, is a metal vice with a rotating, tiltable bar and sliding clamps. Both hold a keel square while you work. But they grip the hull in different ways and at different prices.
What a keel clamp does in ship modeling
A keel clamp holds the keel and hull frames square and level while glue joints set, so the hull doesn't twist or sag before it's fully built up. Some clamps also double as a bench vice for individual parts during detailing.
Amati Keel Klamper 7382: material, price, adjustment range
The Keel Klamper is sold under article number 7382 (listed as A7382 or AM7382 depending on the retailer). It's built around an aluminium bar, about 40 cm long, mounted on a metal base with adjustable sliding clamps. Amati describes the bar as fully rotating and tiltable. The US retailer notes it mounts to the bench with two brass bolts.
Capacity is fixed by the clamp openings rather than a base footprint: Amati lists a maximum keel jaw opening of 1 cm and a table clamp opening of 4.8 cm. Neither Amati nor the retailers we checked publish a maximum hull length for the tool.
Pricing varies by retailer and currency, as checked on 22 September 2026: €71.00 from Amati direct, £62.95 from Cornwall Model Boats (UK), and $98.99 from Bluejacket (US). Prices change — check the retailer before buying.
LMG BB-06: material, price, adjustment range
The BB-06 Ship building jig is cut from 3.6 mm birch plywood. The base spans 250×550 mm, with supports up to 470 mm apart, so it takes hulls of different lengths within that range. Interchangeable holders spread up to 210 mm and fix to the base with M5 rubber pins.
It's priced at $26.95, ships flat-packed and unassembled, and goes together with PVA wood glue, which is not included in the kit.
Side-by-side table
| LMG BB-06 | Amati Keel Klamper 7382 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Plywood cradle, interchangeable holders | Metal vice, rotating/tiltable bar |
| Material | Birch plywood, 3.6 mm | Aluminium bar, metal base |
| Size | Base 250×550 mm | Bar length ≈40 cm |
| Hull support | Supports up to 470 mm apart, holders up to 210 mm | Max keel jaw opening 1 cm, table clamp opening 4.8 cm |
| Mounting | Freestanding jig, fixed with M5 rubber pins | Bench-mounted with brass bolts (US listing) |
| Assembly | Flat-packed, PVA glue (not included) | Ships assembled as a metal fixture |
| Price | $26.95 | €71.00 (Amati) · £62.95 (Cornwall Model Boats, UK) · $98.99 (Bluejacket, US) — as of 22 Sept 2026 |
Which one for which hull size
The base spans 250×550 mm, with supports up to 470 mm apart and holders spreading up to 210 mm. The Keel Klamper's clamp openings are built for gripping a keel or frame directly rather than resting a whole hull on a base, which suits detail work and smaller sections as much as a full hull. Neither published spec gives a maximum overall hull length, so the practical limit for either tool comes down to your kit's keel thickness and beam against the numbers above.
Verdict by budget or material preference
If budget matters most, or if you prefer a plywood jig you build yourself, the BB-06's $26.95 price sits well under any of the three Keel Klamper prices above, from £62.95 to $98.99. If you prefer a metal vice with a rotating bar that also works as a bench clamp for other parts, and the higher price fits your budget, the Keel Klamper covers that role. Both hold a keel square; the choice comes down to plywood cradle versus metal vice, and how much you want to spend.
FAQ
Is the Amati Keel Klamper the same as a building jig?
Not quite. It's a metal vice with sliding clamps, built to grip a keel or frame directly, rather than a base that a whole hull rests on.
Does LMG's BB-06 need assembly?
Yes. It ships flat-packed and unassembled, and goes together with PVA wood glue, which is not included in the kit.
Why do Amati Keel Klamper prices differ between retailers?
Retailers set their own prices and sell in different currencies. As checked on 22 September 2026, we found €71.00 direct from Amati, £62.95 from Cornwall Model Boats, and $98.99 from Bluejacket. Prices change — check the retailer before buying.
Can the BB-06 hold more than one hull size?
Yes, within its range. The base takes hulls with supports up to 470 mm apart; smaller or larger hulls use the BB-11 or BB-09 jigs instead.
Related products: BB-06 Ship building jig · Building jig collection
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