Carving Vise

Ron Simmons

Ron Simmons

Active member
So, I am thinking of trying my hand at carving some decoys this summer and I am getting around all of the things that I have collected over the years for this purpose and I have a issue. Back on the old forum, Lee Harker posted the plans for a home made vise that he assembled out of pipe and fittings for a few bucks. I kept the plans in a paper file for years and just when I need them, the file has disappeared (or at least my old mind can't remember where the heck I put it.) If any of the more tenured members of the group (I thought that sounded better than Old Guys) remember this and have a copy of this plan they could post, I would greatly appreciate it. I know there are several good vises available, but I hate to spend the money until I know if I like doing it and that I don't totally suck.
Thanks
Ron
 
try a google search for poor man's vise. I beleive that is what you are refering to as a "made from pipe" vise. Pretty simple idea with everything being available at your local DIY box store.


Dave
 
Depending on how you are going to be carving, your budget, and the space you have there are almost endless ways. I have settled on a heavy piece of tubular steel with a plate welded to the top and bottom bolted to the floor with a 4" bench vice on the top. I find its a lot quicker and easier to take a couple steps around the decoy than setting down a tool, repositioning, picking up the tool and getting back to carving. It is also very solid. The less movement the better. The "poor man's vice" is OK for lighter work but any kind of hogging on a wood body of any size gets frustrating real quick. I have just about every conceivable way to hold decoys in the shop and you are welcome to come by and have a look and try them out as well as some other tools before you spend money on stuff to find out you don't like it. Make it a Friday evening and you may be lucky enough to meet a few "esteemed" forum members. I'll even get you started with a cedar blank.
 
3" x 3/4" black pipe nipple and 2 floor flanges. Screw one into a small section on 2x4 and clamp into bench vice. The other into the bird you are working on. Connect everything together with the nipple.
 
I think this is the vise your looking for.
I make this one last year. I think it cost less than $15. Seems to work pretty good. It also comes in handy for other projects.
carvingvise.jpg

 
Thanks Guys, you've given me lots of options.
John: That was the one I was looking for.
Paul: Thanks for the invite. I would like to come over and watch some carvers in action and meet some of the forum guys. I see what you mean about the poor man's vise though.
Thanks again
Ron
 
This is the vise that I use. It can rotate 360 which help immensely. I just clamp the decoy's keel to hold the decoy itself. The vise is only $80 + shipping.

http://www.grizzly.com/...e-5-Bench-Vise/G7062
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Click to expand...

They sell a parrot vise as well. Through amazon its only $50 and will come off the base and mount on its side for even more angles. Ive been very happy with mine. The jaws are thin so they dont get in the way when you are working the sides of the block.​
 
I have many vices















When you are my age thats not unusual ......

but I don't have a dedicated decoy vice but that will be on the list. The one thing that would be nice is the one built by George Goodsell It is useful for more than just decoys. Making oars, handles of all kinds.
View attachment goose island 012.jpg
 
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