[KimHoJo]

I've decided to make the leap from "whittler" to "carver" and I need some advice on carving vises. Which ones are your favorites? What should I look for when purchasing a vise? (I've learned during my research on this subject that a carving "vice" is what I have and a carving "vise" is what I need!)

[Old_Gord]

I'm sure there will be a number of people telling you use this vise and and use that kind of vise....but if you don't say what kind of carving you are wanting to do then it will be a crap shoot as to what kind of woodcarving vise is recommended.
Is it relief carving and what size/shape, mallet/palm tools, is it in-the-round and what size/shape, mallet/palm tools is it caricature and what size,mallet/ palm tools/knife, is it chipcarving and what size/shape, is it a log what size or a cane or staff and what size, mallet/palm tools/knife ?
There are hundreds of different types of woodholding devices, some home made , some maunufactured, some bench mounted, some seated carving bench mounted, some portable ?
Lots of different things to think about before anyone can make a educated suggestion, unless they happen to be lucky and hit the actual suitable device you are looking for without knowing what you actually want to do.
Some things for you to think about.

Hope my comments are of some help to you.
Look forward to your reply.

OG

[KimHoJo]

Good questions... Didn't realize there were so many different types! In-the-round and smaller than a loaf of bread.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

if you look at my site under walking sticks you will see a couple of homemade vises and they work as well as anything, if you don't want to tie up a bunch of money try the "Panavise"...if you are talking about relief carvings, there are several plans available for a "bench hook".

[Just Carving]

Just to add to Dave's post, here's a link to more detail and variations on building the vise.

http://216.106.57.170/~dielle/designs.html

Good luck.

Bob

[Callynne]

Hi Kim, funny you asked this question now, I couple weeks ago I bought a Jerry-Rig vise, I've been giving it a try to see what I thought of it and intended to post today on what I decided! I love it!!

It has lots of attachments (which cost extra, of course) so it can hold practically anything you'd want to carve. I find I'm using the medium postioning plate the most. It is so nice to be able to carve without holding the carving down with one hand while carving with the other!

What is really nice is with a quick turn of a knob, I can postion my work to whatever angle I need it to be. It really is great and I've been kicking myself for not buying it long before this!!

It is pricey...$179.00 for the system, I paid $19.95 for the medium posting plate. There are lots of others out there, and of course, homemade systems too that probably work great. I can only comment on this one.

I bought mine through MDI Woodcarvers Supply www.mdiwoodcarvers.com Wayne Edmondson, the owner, is a good guy to deal with, he'll be helpful answering any questions you have about the system. Good luck! Callynne

[Old_Gord]

Well for that size and type of carving, you could make your own, a couple of sites have already been mentioned for a home brew solution...best of all it's cheap.
Or you could check out "The Shoeman's " vise, he has three sizes I believe all priced well, all you need then is a "C" clamp to fasten the vise to a bench or table...so take a look here;
http://www.alxshoeman.bizland.com/Vise.htm

There are numerous other types of clamping devices other than what has been already mentioned already, ranging from a few dollars up to hundreds, after you have been carving for awhile, you may find you want to change to a different style or size of carving , best not commit to something that is really expensive till you settle on what and where you want to go with your woodcarving hobby/vocation.

OG.

Originally Posted by KimHoJo

Good questions... Didn't realize there were so many different types! In-the-round and smaller than a loaf of bread.

[KettleKarver]

Rockler has a carving vise that isn't as expensive as some others, see link below. I haven't used this model. Maybe someone else has an opinion.
Jim

http://www.rockler.com/ecom7/product...22&filter=vise

[big_Wayne_P]

that is a reasonably priced vice at rockler

Check out the link that Liferescue posted
those are some excellent homemade vises

Check out Hi_Ho post and visit his site and look at the vises he made
get back on the main message board and scroll down to tools
look at the shaving horse thread

some homemade vises posted there also

The Jerry rig vise is an excellent vise
it is just expensive

best prices I have seen on the panna vise is here
http://www.mhc-online.com/main2/MHC.htm

woodcraft has some good prices on carvers vices now
check out the rotating carver's vise for around $100
that is cheaper than the jerry rig
Check out the portable carvers vise
around $70
http://www.woodcraft.com/search/sear...y=carvers+vise

looking for a plain vise portable $10
They also have the panna vise but I think MHC is cheaper
http://www.qualitycarvingsupplies.com/store/page37.html

[KimHoJo]

Great information, all. Thank you!

I hate to show my ignorance, but I have a really stupid question relating to this. Most of the vises appear to use a screw to hold the carving in place. What do you do with the hole left behind? Fill it in or leave it as is since it's generally at the bottom of the carving?