securing a carving to carve?

xsailer · #11 06-09-2007, 01:16 PM

Pictures show the vise I'm now using. I am very happy with it. Had it for several years after paying $50 for it. Never really found a use for it until I took up woodcarving. I have it mounted under my table so I can sit or stand to work. When I engage the lever the carving does not move, it's very steady. I've seen them advertised in different catalogs for $300+ dollars. Thats a lot of money but I'm finding it more useful the more I use it.

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #12 06-09-2007, 01:55 PM

Whats the brand name of that vise? Don't think I have ever seen one justlike that?

Dennis Taylor · #13 06-09-2007, 02:12 PM

Looks like a good, easy concept, do you have some type of plan that u used to make the hook(?), could use right at my work bench, but how do you keep it from moving...nice easy tool storage in the top also.....BENCH HOOK?...Dennis

xsailer · #14 06-09-2007, 03:25 PM

In Woodcraft catalog it's called Wilton Pow-R-Arm for a whopping $359.....WOW I got a deal didn't I?

Hook?? I made a steel plate reinforced with angle iron for stiffness and fastened to the table top under-support 2x4. The vise is mounted permanently to the steel plate. Did I answer your question?

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #15 06-09-2007, 08:11 PM

Wilton? I think I saw some of those on ebay?

mdallensr · #16 06-09-2007, 09:37 PM

Dennis, the bench hook is covered with carpet pad on the bottom, so it doesn't slide on my counter top. When I use my palm tools, I put the spoon blank on the bench hook, hold it down with one hand and carve with the other. I also pick it up and hold it it one hand and use my knife or a gouge in the other. When you brace the carving against the pad, it doesn't slip and it doesn't get damaged.

A "bench hook" is a fairly common woodworking fixture . In its simplest form, it's just a flat board with a raised lip on one end and a hanging lip on the other. You put it on your work bench and it can't slide away from you, while keeping the work piece from moving away.

Blinky Bill · #17 06-10-2007, 02:10 AM

G'day All,
I hope this is not a case of teaching Grandmother to apply suction to end of a Hen fruit....lol....but I came across the attached sketch in a book on the skills and crafts of Aussie bushmen.....Self explanatory just a case of a loop of cord fixed to the bench and the necesary tension applied by the carvers foot.....hope it's of interest.
John

mdallensr · #18 06-10-2007, 09:16 AM

Blinky Bill, that's a neat idea. Many of our carvings (such as decorative spoons) don't lend themselves to vices and carvers screws. That would secure any shape to a bench or bench hook, and allow the carving to be repositioned quickly. Thanks. Mike

Colin_Partridge · #19 06-10-2007, 09:29 AM

Dennis sorry I am so long answering but have been exteamly busy. The weather is great so I am working sun up until sun down. Mind you I am carving so that is a good thing. As for me I have attatched a picture of the Triton Super Jaws. I purchased mine about three years ago and have used and abused it and it still works perfectly. I love mine it will hold a small carving or a large carving.
Colin

Dennis Taylor · #20 06-10-2007, 08:28 PM

Bill I might just try the rope idea, looked at my bench, going to try and drill a hole thru the top, and put a rope thru it with a loop at the top, it should secure a spoon, and allow for easy movement while carving....worth a try and I can drill a hole and have a piece of rope, so already more than half way there.....I looked at the Workmates, and seems like a good idea to me, plus it could be used for other items or jobs in the shop, but not sure if the clamps have the holding power for carving...I watched a Rich WEatherbee video a while back and that was where I got the idea for the Workmate, he was using his with a tool and mallet, I am not that advanced, mostly hand tools...

does anyone use the Workmate on this site?

Dennis