Wood carving vices...

[Metal_Gazza]

Hello All...
I'm looking at getting a decent wood carving vice. Anyone got any advise, tips, what features to look for in a wood carving vice, etc...
If you can recommend a make/model that would be great.

Thanks in advance.

 

[xy mosian]

I see, from another thread, that you are considering lessons. Might I suggest that you take the opportunity to try out whatever holding devices are available during those lessons. I have been attempting some carving over a number of years and have yet to come to any decision in respect of the best carving vice. A recent bowl was done by holding a piece of 3" x 2" in a 3" metal workers pattern vice, proud of the workbench surface. The bowl being held between two smaller blocks clamped to the 3" x 2" by G-Cramps. When the hold, on the piece, slackened a bit, I just clobbered the nearest block with the mallet. Have fun carving.
HTH
xy

 

[Metal_Gazza]

Hi xy,
yeah, considering lessons... Currently hacking away at blocks of wood held in a metal working vice - not ideal!!

Thanks for your input and enjoy your carving.

 

[captainpk]

A lot of people in my woodcarving group use a simple bench hook, that sits on top of the workbenches, we use. Very simple, to make and works well. Normally they have a L shape and use some sort of matting to stop the piece slippling. Probably best for relief carving and not in the round!

Here an example : http://lsirish.com/tutorials/woodcarvin ... f-carving/

I have used a mini dremel bench top workbench. It has not worked that great, to be honest and I gave up with it. Mainly used it to raise the work.

Others have altered sit down ironing tables converted.

I have used a record carving vice which works well, but would have been expensive if I had bought new.

The other idea, is just mount your piece on a bit of wood with a few screws (or stick down) and attach to a vice.

 

[Lons]

Hi Gazza

There are loads of ways to hold the work and it very much depends on:
Size of work / flat or in the round and whether you prefer to sit or stand.

I held my first in a B&D workmate but I also made a simple carving screw, I've stuck and screwed to a sacrificial ply and held in a vice have carved small items holding by hand and made a simple vice copied from a magazine. All work to a greater or lesser degree.

There are some excellent commercial vices but expensive, the simple record (also badged by others0) is a bit femma and can move around a bit under pressure.
I'd agree with the others and wait until you go on a coures where you can probably try some for yourself

Bob