What vise?

[powermower]

What vise or holding device do you use on your projects? Have been working on found wood pieces that are 4-6 inches in diameter & 12-18 inches long. Currently I screw on a 2x4 on the back & use my machine vise. There are many to choose from...can anyone give me recommendations.

[susieq]

I like the Panavise. There are several attachments you can buy for the basic unit. I like the one with a screw coming out of the top. Screw your work onto that and then insert the other end into the panavise base, which is screwed to a piece of plywood that I can clamp to my table and then remove when it's not needed. The base of the vice has a knob that you tighten with. It rotates or can be held at an angle....any angle.... I did modify a larger screw to go into the attachment, as the one that comes in it, is a tad too small for me.

I love mine. I bought it here. Pana Vise - Woodcarving Supplies from Quality Wood Carving Supply

The attachment that I bought with it is called the holding head. When I gouge carve, I use both hands on the tool. This vice is perfect for that type of carving.

[edge]

I've been using the one that Everett Ellenwood sells on his site. Easy to use, and sturdy.
ellenwoodarts.com

[Donsexton]

I would have the "Jerry Rig" if I didn't have more than a few as is. I use my big old Yost Machine Vise mostly.

[Terry Vance]

I just recently purchased a Zyliss vise on Ebay. I think that it should hold anything and everything related to carving. Haven't been able to give it a good try yet but will soon. I watched a flute maker on U-Tube and he was holding the flute with one. I started searching immediately. Full retail ruled it out for me but the Ebay price was priceless!!!

[Dull Knife]

Originally Posted by susieq

I like the Panavise. There are several attachments you can buy for the basic unit. I like the one with a screw coming out of the top. Screw your work onto that and then insert the other end into the panavise base, which is screwed to a piece of plywood that I can clamp to my table and then remove when it's not needed. The base of the vice has a knob that you tighten with. It rotates or can be held at an angle....any angle.... I did modify a larger screw to go into the attachment, as the one that comes in it, is a tad too small for me.

I love mine. I bought it here. Pana Vise - Woodcarving Supplies from Quality Wood Carving Supply

The attachment that I bought with it is called the holding head. When I gouge carve, I use both hands on the tool. This vice is perfect for that type of carving.

The fingers on my left hand are my vise..

[Inadv]

Powermower,

I use "The Rock" sold by WoodCarversSupply.com. I priced the materials for a homemade one using a trailer ball, but The Rock actually beat the price of materials to make one. I also have a homemade carving arm that was featured in a recent WCI issue that works quite well. I will make the bench that was in a subsequent issue to mount it on in a few months or so.

The Rock is mounted to a 12" slab of 2X6 that I clamp to my work table for easy install/removal. It is a very sturdy little gixmo. Holds up to 40# and steady even against my abusive ways.

L.P.

[Dull Knife]

Originally Posted by Dull Knife

The fingers on my left hand are my vise..

.....and I use a bench hook too.....not to be confused with a sky hook.

[davidinsarasota]

I use a Veritas carving vise, but I don't think it would be good for your long pieces. Suzie's Panavise suggestion, combined with their standard vice head is probably best since it will give you tiltability. Your 2X4 attachment will still be useful for gettin' around to most of the work piece.

[susieq]

In the link that I posted earlier in this thread, it shows all the different heads you can buy for the panavise. I use the one called the "holding head. I have the little vise attachment and don't feel it is as good as the simple holding head that has a screw mounted in it to screw the wood to, then put the post-end into the vise and tilt at any angle you please.

There is a huge price difference in the 2 attachments also. I think the vise head is nearly $45. The holding head is only $15. Mike found the vise attachment at a yardsale so I don't feel like I got beat up on that one but I don't care for it. I was putting a carvers screw into the bottom of my carvings anyhow, with a washer and a wing nut that held it in a wooden vise my old carving teacher had made for me years ago. It's great but it doesn't tilt in every direction, just forward and back ward. Would be great if you could mount it on a turntable that locked in the desired position......