Ball vise Plans

[brianh]

I posted this in the chainsaw carving forum and thought some here may get use of the vise also.


I have been using this ball vise for two years it is a great help positioning my work and saving my back I now have it mounted on a hydraulic cart for raising and lowering.

The plans have all the dimensions needed and a bill of material for the parts.

Anyone with basic welding skills can make it I suppose the parts could also be bolted if needed instead.

Here is the linkto the plans
Ball Vise Plans pictures by brianharnett - Photobucket

This video was made shortly after I built it.

[mas83]

That's really cool

[TreeWizard]

I assume that's an old bowling ball, I'd love to make a smaller one if anyone can suggest where to get a smaller ball to serve as a base.

[brianh]

A Bacchi or croquet ball would work for a smaller version.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

a trailer ball is what I used. The bowling ball vice is also on "The Whiz's" internet site.

[Denny Bell]

I have some pics of a smaller version, using a 2" trailer ball, on my website. Go to <http://www.cedarstump.us/Cedarstump/Wood_Carvers_vise.html> and see if that will work for a smaller project...

Denny

[thebugleboy]

Howdy!
I enjoyed seeing this ball vise a while back, and I was looking for something to use to make a smaller one (I don't like to mess up too large a piece of wood with my knives...I do it a little at a time). I found a "something" at a thrift store for $2 that looks like it will work. It has a bench (pinch) mount that holds a ball in a socket with a clamping cap threaded on. The ball has a fluted projection that used to hold something that I know not what. All I have to do is drill a hole in the fluted arm (I may shorten it a bit first) and tap it for a hanger screw, you know the one with machine threads on one end and wood screw threads on the other? I'll either use one the size of a ceiling hook screw or a larger one with a 1/4 X 20 thread. I'll try to get a picture of the thing on here so some of you folks who are smarter than I can tell me for what purpose it was meant. I say it was meant for me to find it. That was its purpose. Any suggestions as to how to make the thing better will be appreciated. BTW, I thought this thing was just plastic at first, but it turns out that all but the fluted projection is solid steel coated in some really tough plastic material. The ball locks pretty tight.
Pictures tomorrow for your advice.
It won't be as nice as the bowling ball or the hitch ball ones, but it'll be mine (and very portable).
Bob

[thebugleboy]

Here's a pic of the piece I'm using for the fixture.
The ball holds pretty solid. I wouldn't use a big mallet on it maybe, but that's not what I have in mind for it...just knife and gouge work.
Somebody tell me what this thing was originally?
Bob

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Originally Posted by thebugleboy

Here's a pic of the piece I'm using for the fixture.
The ball holds pretty solid. I wouldn't use a big mallet on it maybe, but that's not what I have in mind for it...just knife and gouge work.
Somebody tell me what this thing was originally?
Bob

looks like the base for one of those clamp-on desk lamps?

[mobjack68]

Originally Posted by TreeWizard

I assume that's an old bowling ball, I'd love to make a smaller one if anyone can suggest where to get a smaller ball to serve as a base.

I don't know if duckpin balls are still around or not....that would be ideal, I think they were plastic/composite like bowling balls. If you need a custom size, think about taking a small-ish rubber ball (hollow), cut a hole someplace, get your threaded pieces ready and fill it wit cement/sand mix, insert the rod, let 'er set awhile, cut the ball skin off and git busy....