Work Positioners
Quote from JIm Geisert on October 7, 2017, 5:48 pmFor those of us who do in-the-round carving holding the work in progress can be something of a problem. A good work holder can make the difference between the carving being difficult or easy (easier anyway.)
I have three different holders I use. I thought it might be helpful to other carvers to provide a little feedback about them.
The first one I purchased was a Panavise. I got the Panavise 400 heavy duty base and the Panavise 437 heavy duty fixturing head. You buy these as two separate pieces. Right now the pair will run you about $65.00 on Amazon. I mounted the base on a block of wood which I then clamped to my work bench. The work mounts to the fixturing head. The base allows you to swivel the work in all directions. However I did find out quickly that this will not stand up to heavy-duty mallet work. It is a good light duty vise however.
I also have a Veritas Carver's Vise which runs about $140 from Lee Valley Tools. It comes with a 3 1/2 inch mounting plate but there are other accessories available for it. This is the vise I have used the most. It allows the work to move in all directions and will stand up to mallet work. However I've found that it can sometimes be difficult to lock down tightly enough and the holding rod that slides into the vise can sometimes be difficult to remove or insert. Even though I have used it a lot I have been looking for an alternative for quite a while.
My alternative has turned out to be the Axminster Trade Carver Vice. It is a round-ball work positioner that swivels in all directions and locks down tight for heavy duty work. It comes in two styles, one has just a base that screws down to a block or a work bench and the other has a bench clamp built in. The bench clamp is not interchangeable with the base vise. It's very similar to the Jerry-Rig vise except the Axminster has two locking levers and the Jerry-Rig has only one. The Axminster vise is an excellent vise and will run you around $150-175 with shipping while the Jerry-Rig runs around $450.
You can check out the Axminster vise at www.axminster.co.uk. Yes, it is a British company and the prices are in pound sterling. You can't order it directly from the website but if you email them and tell them what you want and that you're from the USA they will send you a price quote in dollars including shipping. You can just pay with any major credit card.
Of the three vises I've used I really like the Axminster and I think for what you get the price is a bargain.
I hope this has been helpful.
Jim Geisert
For those of us who do in-the-round carving holding the work in progress can be something of a problem. A good work holder can make the difference between the carving being difficult or easy (easier anyway.)
I have three different holders I use. I thought it might be helpful to other carvers to provide a little feedback about them.
The first one I purchased was a Panavise. I got the Panavise 400 heavy duty base and the Panavise 437 heavy duty fixturing head. You buy these as two separate pieces. Right now the pair will run you about $65.00 on Amazon. I mounted the base on a block of wood which I then clamped to my work bench. The work mounts to the fixturing head. The base allows you to swivel the work in all directions. However I did find out quickly that this will not stand up to heavy-duty mallet work. It is a good light duty vise however.
I also have a Veritas Carver's Vise which runs about $140 from Lee Valley Tools. It comes with a 3 1/2 inch mounting plate but there are other accessories available for it. This is the vise I have used the most. It allows the work to move in all directions and will stand up to mallet work. However I've found that it can sometimes be difficult to lock down tightly enough and the holding rod that slides into the vise can sometimes be difficult to remove or insert. Even though I have used it a lot I have been looking for an alternative for quite a while.
My alternative has turned out to be the Axminster Trade Carver Vice. It is a round-ball work positioner that swivels in all directions and locks down tight for heavy duty work. It comes in two styles, one has just a base that screws down to a block or a work bench and the other has a bench clamp built in. The bench clamp is not interchangeable with the base vise. It's very similar to the Jerry-Rig vise except the Axminster has two locking levers and the Jerry-Rig has only one. The Axminster vise is an excellent vise and will run you around $150-175 with shipping while the Jerry-Rig runs around $450.
You can check out the Axminster vise at http://www.axminster.co.uk. Yes, it is a British company and the prices are in pound sterling. You can't order it directly from the website but if you email them and tell them what you want and that you're from the USA they will send you a price quote in dollars including shipping. You can just pay with any major credit card.
Of the three vises I've used I really like the Axminster and I think for what you get the price is a bargain.
I hope this has been helpful.
Jim Geisert
Quote from MaryMay on October 9, 2017, 9:36 amThank Jim. Very useful information for "in the round" carving. I have never had much success in holding something heavy and solid with any carving vise I have, so I may have to invest in this for my workshop. I have always had the problem of the carving eventually flexing and loosening.
Thank Jim. Very useful information for "in the round" carving. I have never had much success in holding something heavy and solid with any carving vise I have, so I may have to invest in this for my workshop. I have always had the problem of the carving eventually flexing and loosening.
Quote from JIm Geisert on October 9, 2017, 6:55 pmI've had the same problem with carvings eventually loosening also. I've had that problem quite a lot with the Veritas vise. The Axminster vise with its double locking mechanism locks the rotating ball down tight and so far has been great. I imagine the Jerry-Rig ball vise is just as good however it's much more expensive.
I've had the same problem with carvings eventually loosening also. I've had that problem quite a lot with the Veritas vise. The Axminster vise with its double locking mechanism locks the rotating ball down tight and so far has been great. I imagine the Jerry-Rig ball vise is just as good however it's much more expensive.
Quote from Robert Allingham on October 16, 2017, 8:39 amI looked at carving vises and didn't see one that had overwhelming reviews. I did like the Pfiel auger styled holder but it was out of my price range so i am in the process of making my own version out of some 1 1/2 thick white oak I had laying around. I bought the Pfiel auger screw from a site in the U.K. It wasn't available by itself in the USA. The auger screw itself set me back $98.00 I'll post a pick when I get a little further along with it.
I looked at carving vises and didn't see one that had overwhelming reviews. I did like the Pfiel auger styled holder but it was out of my price range so i am in the process of making my own version out of some 1 1/2 thick white oak I had laying around. I bought the Pfiel auger screw from a site in the U.K. It wasn't available by itself in the USA. The auger screw itself set me back $98.00 I'll post a pick when I get a little further along with it.
Quote from Dennis Moor on October 16, 2017, 11:09 amAnd don't forget Chipping Away.... see:
http://www.chippingaway.com/cat/woodcarving-supplies/vises-and-work-holders/and Mary May Students also get a 10% Discount if you identify yourself as such.
And don't forget Chipping Away.... see:
http://www.chippingaway.com/cat/woodcarving-supplies/vises-and-work-holders/
and Mary May Students also get a 10% Discount if you identify yourself as such.
Quote from Dale Woodham on November 1, 2017, 5:27 pmWilton Pow-R-Arms are another possibility. Made in the US, I believe
Wilton Pow-R-Arms are another possibility. Made in the US, I believe
Quote from Dan Krager on November 29, 2017, 7:36 pmI have made a very successful temporary heavy duty carving vise. It may cost you a whopping $20. I found that a 2" or 2 5/16" ball hitch has a stem that will thread into a 3/4" pipe flange. Cut two 1 1/2" pipe rings about 3/4" long, and squeeze the ball in a woodworking vise between these rings. With the flange up, you can mount the carving directly or on a plate secured to the flange with screws. You can put any amount of resistance to turning or moving just by adjusting the vise pressure. Those rings can grab the ball so firmly you can't beat it out of position with a big hammer. I tried. Vertical or horizontal, just like the vise pictured above.
DanK
I have made a very successful temporary heavy duty carving vise. It may cost you a whopping $20. I found that a 2" or 2 5/16" ball hitch has a stem that will thread into a 3/4" pipe flange. Cut two 1 1/2" pipe rings about 3/4" long, and squeeze the ball in a woodworking vise between these rings. With the flange up, you can mount the carving directly or on a plate secured to the flange with screws. You can put any amount of resistance to turning or moving just by adjusting the vise pressure. Those rings can grab the ball so firmly you can't beat it out of position with a big hammer. I tried. Vertical or horizontal, just like the vise pictured above.
DanK
Quote from MaryMay on December 5, 2017, 3:15 pmClever idea, Dan. Do you have a photo of what you made? I'm way too visual to understand how all that is put together.
Clever idea, Dan. Do you have a photo of what you made? I'm way too visual to understand how all that is put together.
Quote from Dan Krager on January 18, 2018, 8:05 pmI'm sorry, Mary, I do not find a photo of my setup, which is now replaced. I replaced it to gain height on a different stand, not because it didn't work. It was very reliable and solid and I will likely go back to it mounted on my newly acquired scissor lift adjustable height table. I did find a very similar idea using wood blocks instead of rings to grip the ball. I think the rings will be more solid in the long run. This photo is from Lumberjocks.
DanK
I'm sorry, Mary, I do not find a photo of my setup, which is now replaced. I replaced it to gain height on a different stand, not because it didn't work. It was very reliable and solid and I will likely go back to it mounted on my newly acquired scissor lift adjustable height table. I did find a very similar idea using wood blocks instead of rings to grip the ball. I think the rings will be more solid in the long run. This photo is from Lumberjocks.
DanK
Quote from MaryMay on January 21, 2018, 4:15 pmThanks Dan! Very clever and I think once my husband takes a look at that he will say "oh, that's easy to make". I understand wood. He understands putting metal together. Great idea!
Thanks Dan! Very clever and I think once my husband takes a look at that he will say "oh, that's easy to make". I understand wood. He understands putting metal together. Great idea!