Vise for holding sticks

[Tom-H]

Been carving for less than one year. Been holding wood in hands, against knee or chest to carve. I use knife and palm chisels. It never (until last night) occured to me that the lack of a firm holding device was a main cause of a messy carving. Messy meaning inaccurate cuts as well as the discolorations due to red blood cells. Discovery made when carving a 60 inch walking stick while holding in lap. Simple solution. Mounted a stick vise to front of carving station. I'm learnin something everyday! Tom H

[AlArchie]

Good idea, Tom! Looks like a very simple but effective solution to holding a stick while carving.

Al

[Kenny_S]

Nice addition to your carving station.

I like it.

[Colin-Partridge]

great idea I have the same problem all my sticks are carved while held in my hand. Any chance of giving a short tutorial on how you constructed that or a brief run down on dimentions. Also would like to see the stick when it is completed
Colin

[Mryooper]

Looks pretty inventive to me! I might have to invest into a setup similar to yours.

[Lightningbolt]

Ditto's on all the previous praise! That is one fine looking carving caddy that you have there and I like the 'draping sheet' that I assume MUST be for gathering all the shavings.

I'll be studying this excellent set-up for some time to come. Really... thanks for letting us see it all!

[Tom-H]

Thanks all for the input on my carving station/caddy. The "caddy" is presently on the 2nd floor in an unused bedroom beside my computer. The white apron at the front of the caddy has had side panels added and serves to catch the chips, when I remember to put the apron on. The caddy was made and moved from my shop, which was a little chilly. As the weather warms up I plan to move the caddy to a porch that is really outside. The stick vise is already undergoing a modification. (Wingnuts on the top of the vise to tighten it up.) I am also trying to design a method to hold a stick in the vertical and/or diagonal position). Tom H

[Goody]

Made one of these a few years back and use it when we carve sticks. I just clamp the two pieces to my work bench with c clamps. We also have made a somewhat larger version that we clamp to my 960 lb table saw so we can drawknife and spokeshave on them. Pull as hard as want on that draw knife but you aint moving that saw.
Drew this up quick from memory and its not to any scale but its simple enough to build.
Goody

[Ron Davidson]

The only thing I would change for personal preferance would be instead of wing nuts I would order some star knobs from woodcraft with 1/4 20 threaded inserts for 1.99 each. This is alot easier for me and my arthritis to get ahold of. Just a thought.
Ron

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Ron, if I remember right , you can get those and other knobs cheaper at Harbor Freight.