What vise?

[Callynne]

Okay, at the risk of being the weird one on here.......my favorite holding device when I'm roughing out using my reciprocating carver is made from a section of the leg of my hubbies old blue jeans, filled with rice and sewn shut. I got that tip here years ago and I LOVE IT!! It molds to whatever size carving I'm working on, I put a piece of the no skid stuff you put under throw rugs to keep them (and it!) from slipping and it works perfectly!!

As for a holding device when rotary carving, I have a Jerry Rig and haven't used it for years...too much hassle to screw the holding thing on and too big a pain to have to keep loosening and tightening it while I'm working....SO much easier to hold it in my hand and turn it every which way whenever I want!! I can be very impatient for a very patient person!! Deborah

[Inadv]

Yep and thumb's up on the "sandbags" (or rice-bags). I forgot to mention that, but I made a pair of them, about 5# each, that get very regular use when I'm roughing out with gouges. Scrap material from the big box store = $1.15 for both. Just sew up three sides and most of the fourth, then cut the top off of a 2L soda bottle for a funnel. Don't fill it too tightly or you'll have issues getting them to conform to odd shapes. Once you have it to your liking then finish sewing that last little bit and there you have a nice soft form fitting mechanism for holding your project while you make the chips fly.

Definitely NOT intended for rotary carving as the bit could be all too easily caught up in the material and spoil your whole day!

L.P.

[STAR]

I like that sand bag idea. I have an old heavy duty B & D Workmate that has been recommissioned back into work after twenty or so years when last used in anger.

I have four large hardwood dowels to fit into the holes and have wrapped insulation tape about six inches from the bottom to stop them falling through the holes. Works well, but I think the sand bags will be an improvement and give a better grip on some of the more unusual wood I have to deal with.

Thanks for sharing.

Pete

[Robson Valley]

I use an old, raggy folded flannel cotton sheet for the pad with a piece of that non-skid foam rubber sheet on top.
My best clamp is a trick I found in this site: I have an eye-bolt in a hole in the bench. Rope from that over the front of the bench to a loop/stirrup that I can put one foot in (my other foot is normally in my mouth.) I need a longer rope with several loops, changing depending on the size & shape of the carving.

[ABIEL RIOS]

i made this woodcarving vises (ball vise) if someone is interested i can guide you to make them

[ABIEL RIOS]

forget about those toys they sell outhere they call woodcarving vices i will show you how to make a real work positioner, here are the pictures of the ones i make , even the best woodacrving vise in the market wich is the ( 3" ball jerry rig ball vise ,wich is not bad and is very strong has its weekness,so i came out with my own designs , the rest of the vises out there , the panavise , the veritas ,the pivotlock, they are all week at certain point

[Terry Murphy]

ABIEL, that is a work of art!

[dany meullins]

C'est magnifique.

Do you need some expensive material to make vise fantastic vise ?

Is it an everyman's project, or is it just for the Masters or steel ?

I'll be proud to make something like that.

Please, Abiel, tell us more. Enough suspens !