Clamps

[Dpinkham]

I am a relatively amateur carver and I have a question about clamping wood.

I do what I would assume is called "small carving." The things I have carved thus far have not gone past many inches in height, length, or width.

Right now I am looking for clamps that would be appropriate in size and durability to hold my wood while I carve. I also have a chisel set that helps when I do some of my main "roughing" work, and having clamps to hold the wood instead of pushing it up against a not-so-stable surface while I chisel would be ideal.

My advice question is which kinds of clamps should I go looking for? I have looked in Lowe's, Home Depot, and other general stores for clamps and have found C-clamps, Bar clamps, and various other kinds. I am not close enough to a Woodcraft store to warrant traveling the distance to one when I can go to these home improvement stores.

Thanks for your help and I look forward to any suggestions.

[Donsexton]

From what you describe about the way you would use them I would recommend wood hand screw clamps. They have two opposing handles and are made from hardwood so if you slip with a chisel it won’t chip it. You may want to consider a bench hook as well you can make it with ¾” plywood.

[Steve Reed]

Have you considered using a "carving arm"? They can be very useful for what you're doing, from what you describe. Not really a clamp, the carving is held in place by a carving screw in the base, and the arm is secured in a vise.

[Old Codger]

I use the Stanley portable vise for small work and it's just about perfect for me...costs about $30 or less and swivels 360 degrees, portable, both hard and soft jaws and I LOVE mine! Ha! Check them out...much easier to use than clamps plus more versitile...
Kenn

[Robson Valley]

For short carvings, less than 12"/30cm, I start with a 24" blank so I have a "handle" that can be clamped to the bench. Big 'C' clamp works just fine. Cut the carving off that handle near/at the end of the carving process.

[Tom-H]

I make my own! Check out the bold listed after my signature (Beginners Carving Corner) . A couple postings back I posted a photo....

Tom H

[Donsexton]

This what you need

[davidinsarasota]

Jawhorse is great for what you are describing, but it's expensive $180. I agree 100% with your desire to make the work stable, both for safety and efficiency.

I've tried a wide variety of stuff including ratcheting straps, C clamps, bench dogs and the wooden screw clamp. The screw clamp worked best after I drilled holes in it an lag screwed it to a big square piece block of wood then used the clamping action to secure the workpiece.

A bench vise is a vital tool. If the piece is too big to fit in it I have screwed a smaller block of wood to the bottom of the piece and clamped in the vice.

[Dpinkham]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I now have some good guidelines to go on for the future. Some of the suggestions I have seen elsewhere, such as the carver's arm, but that is a long way off for me due to my current circumstances in life. But, I will make due with what I have, and I pray that I can bless others with my growing talent.

Again, thank you all and keep carvin!!!!