Advice needed

[bhertel]

I am trying to begin carving....however, I keep hearing about a "brace" that is needed to carve properly. I watched a video or two and seen a few examples but wanted to see what everyone else might be using? Any suggestions?

[Paul_Guraedy]

Never heard of a "brace" for woodcarving. Maybe someone is referring to a vice? It is easiest to carve, from both effort and accuracy, it the wood is held secure and you have both hands available to use on the tool. If you are doing relief and have a flat board, you might use some of the material like the shelf liner used in RVs to keep the wood from sliding around.

[AlArchie]

I think you are referring to a "bench hook"
http://www.carvingpatterns.com/brace.htm

A good and easy/cheap way of securing a board for relief carving. There are other ways of clamping a board down and depending on size and accesability there may be better ways, but these bench hooks serve really well for reasonably sized reliefs.

I've also found that the "bench dog" type clamps work really well, and there are a couple vaiations of these with scrw clamps that i really like!

Al

[Eddy-Smiles]

Same here. I never heard of the term brace. I did make me what one of the carvers in our club called a skid to be used when working on a relief carving. The carving sits on top and is held in place by one or more of the raised segments. There is a similiar raised segment screwed across the bottom which prevents the board from moving when pressure is applied. It works like a charm. I haven't stabbed myself once since I started using it....KNOCK ON WOOD!

[bhertel]

Thanks!! You guys have given me some great ideas to work with. I am going to try and build a work station that can hold flat wood and rounded pieces. I let you know how it turns out....

[DavidM]

Craftsman makes some real good clamps that are quick and easy to use but really only good for flat work and they have plastic covers on the ends so it doesen't mar the wood. Hardwood pegs inserted into the work bench also work great for chip work.