Tools for people with one hand

[shayne289]

My grandpa used to wood carve, but about 7 years ago he lost an arm to cancer. He's been talking about trying to get a vise to help hold the piece for him. We were looking at some online this evening and got to thinking.. How is he going to hold the chisel and use his mallet at the same time? So I was wondering if anybody knows of any tools that are made especially for people with one hand to help hold things. Also what vise do you recommend if he would go that route?

Thanks!
Shayne

[Donsexton]

Automach is a top notch one hand pro tool

[chisler10]

The Eli vise is awesome. Google pinewoodforge.com and scroll down the page to the vise.
Just my opinion
Patrick

[shayne289]

I'll tell him about the power carvers. The Eli Vise is one that we were looking at! Thanks!

[idigjars]

To power carve I use a Menard's special vise that clamps onto the table. It holds small projects only but works out pretty well for me. It has a vise mounted on a ball so it moves in any direction. It was less than $16. A friend who is giving me power carving lessons has one and so I bought one also. Good luck on whatever you choose and safe carving. Paul

[mpounders]

You might look at other power carving tools like Dremel, flexshaft tools like Foredom and Wecheer, and micromotor tools like Ram. You can use a footpedal to control the speed for the flexshaft and micromotor tools, and the Ram is kinda like holding a pencil. The flexshaft tools also have recipricating chisel attachments, but are not as powerful as the Automach.

[pallin]

Since your grandfather is more used to non-powered tools, he may prefer gouges and chisels that do not require a mallet. Consider palm gouges, detail knives, and scorps. Native carvers of the Pacific Northwest create some amazing art with one-handed tools such as the hand adze and "crooked knives."

[Just Carving]

Shayne, what did your grandfather carve? I use a knife but from time to time, I need to switch to palm chisels and gouges because to ease strain on my thumbs. Try using a palm skew chisel. It can be used much like a knife with a piece of wood clamped.

There is an alternative to holding a block of wood without using a vise. See photo. You can also securely clamp a 3-4" wide board to a table and place the loop of rope over the block of wood on the board and use a foot in the other end of the loop to apply tension and hold the block of wood in place. Then use palm tools to carve.

With a little adapting and thought, I think your grandfather could carve with one hand. Start out small so he can build up strength and agility and develop his way of carving.

I hope he's successful.

Bob L