Work positioners? Opinions?

[Jay H]

Finally got my self setup with most of the equipment i will need to start carving again, since I use pretty much all handtools i would like to add a work positioner. I didnt have one before i lost all my stuff and i would really like to get one this time around i looked at a wilton vise but a little out of my price range right now. Ive also looked at a rock positioner but leery of it inexpensiveness. Any recommendations?

 

[John L]

Do a search for carving vise. There is a thread to make your own. I did it and it works well and cost under $10

 

[Jay H]

I did and made one but wasnt happy with it drawknifing and spokeshaving

 

[tod osier]

My position on work is to avoid it if at all possible.

 

[Duane G]

Finally got my self setup with most of the equipment i will need to start carving again, since I use pretty much all handtools i would like to add a work positioner. I didnt have one before i lost all my stuff and i would really like to get one this time around i looked at a wilton vise but a little out of my price range right now. Ive also looked at a rock positioner but leery of it inexpensiveness. Any recommendations?

Check out the Work Station from The Duck Blind. Very nice for the price.

 

[CAnderson]

Here is the link for ate Duck Blind's carving vise: http://www.theduckblind.com/powercarvingtools.htm#Duck_Blind_Work_Station_

I have been looking at this one by Veritas or Lee Valley: http://www.leevalley.com/en/Wood/page.aspx?p=31172&cat=1,130,43332,41667&ap=1

I think Hunting Dave made some in the past. I don't know if he is still making them. It was really slick looking.

I am in need of one too, so I will be following along to determine if this is a build or buy sort of thing.

Keep us posted on what you choose.

Chad

 

[CraigS]

Watch e-bay, picked up a wilton pow r arm 301 for about half price.

 

[bruce horning]

check this out.
http://www.chippingaway.com/WoodCarving/VicesandWorkHolders/ChippingAwayWorkHolder.htm


i have one ordered,so i cant speak for it yet.

bruce

 

[Steve Sanford]

Jay~

Here's my approach. I have never used a Pow-R-Arm but this works fine for me. Because the machinist's vise is mounted on my bench corner at an angle, I can get whatever access I need. This bench is 34" tall - so standing at the vise is very comfortable for me (5'10").

The deep "keel" on the maple bracket allows me to get the draw knife and sanding belt (I "shoeshine" with a length of belt) all the way to the lower edges. Someday - if I get ambitious - I may upgrade to a steel bracket - a piece of T-stock welded to 8 inches of 1/2" re-bar.

This is a bottom board for a round-bottom bird. The draw knife (and maybe a bit of Surform for the end grain) gets me right to the sand paper in a few minutes.

All the best,

SJS

 

[Vince Pagliaroli]

Steve - That's the same approach I've used for 30 years. The vise is mounted on a very old night stand, so I can work from any angle. Got it loaded down with lead to keep it stabile. The drawer is where I keep my rasps. Now the vise is shot (won't open), and from all the years of work, the old night stand is creaking big time. I'm going to buy a new vise. Then have a round top bench made, and have been wondering about how high it should be? I'm also 5'10", so you really helped me out. Thank you.

 

[RC D]

I use the vise as well. However, the only one I have available is a large metal working vise. I need to get a smaller one because I always bust up my knuckles around the edges.

 

[Huntindave McCann]

Jay,


This is what I use, made it myself.

 

[David Robinson]

The Huntindave's vise is a real winner. It works very well and is rock solid. The beauty of it is in it's simplicity and easy of use. I'd highly recommend one if he's still making them.

 

[bruce horning]

Are you still making them dave? Can you put me on your list?

Bruce

 

[Huntindave McCann]

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Are you still making them dave? Can you put me on your list?

Bruce

Sent you an e-mail.
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[Tom Barb]

I was in the market a few weeks ago. I ended up going with something similar to Pat Gregory's approach. I had a local machine shop fab me up something I could clamp in my vice. Seems to work quite well.
It is 1 1/4 square tube 8 inches long with a 1/4 inch plate welded to the top with 2 holes drilled in it.

 

[Tom Modin]

bench vice, plumbing flange and some threaded pipe. All that and a couple 1/4" lag bolts. Very inexpensive if you already have a quality bench vice.