The wood carver's vise



This is a most useful tool for the amateur as it is easy to fix on any improvised bench. It is attached by a heavy screw that passes down through a hole in the bench. The vise is drawn tight to the bench by a wing nut underneath. In order not to split or damage the bench top, a piece of wood should be drilled and used as a washer before screwing on the wing nut. Both screw and nut are provided with the vise. The jaws are fitted with cork and leather buffs, an added protection, and particularly useful when the wood is very soft or the work delicate.

The bench holdfast

This tool needs no fixing. The shaft is inserted in a hole in the bench and the foot rests on the carving. When the screw is turned the work is held firm by the pressure of the shaft on the side of the hole. The principle of the holdfast seems surprisingly simple but it is nevertheless efficient. It should be used on a bench top not less than 2 inch thick.

The carver's bench screw

To use the carver's bench screw a hole must be drilled in the bench. The pointed end is screwed into the block to be carved and tightened by a wing nut under the bench. As with the carver's vise, a block of wood should be used as a washer varying the size of this block you can lengthen or shorten the screw.

Coach screws

The coach screw can be used for fixing the carving in the same manner as the bench screw. Coach screws are also invaluable for fixing one heavy piece of wood to another. For instance, the large figure illustrated in plate XII is held to the cross by coach screws. A tall block, as shown in figure 7, B, can be firmly held by a 6 inch or 8 inch coach screw. Short screws will work loose with the continual vibration of the mallet. Large hardware dealers will supply them up to 8 inch in length and f inch or J inch thick. Holes must be drilled to take the coach screws and tightening is done by means of a spanner.

C cramps

The'G'cramp is obtainable in many sizes and is useful in all kinds of woodwork, including wood carving. The type with the swivel shoe is best for the carver as it will tighten on surfaces that are not parallel. For secure fixing use them in pairs.

All the above equipments are mostly available in the general shops or carpenter shops. There are some shops specially providing the articles or equipment for the wood carving. But with these guides, you can start the process confidently.