Workbench, Saw Horse, Vise, and other Holding Devices

O

Old Axeman

Joined
Jan 10, 2015
Messages
1,099
I was thinking that it might be a good idea to share how we each hold whatever wood item we are working on.
Some other examples, but not limited to: Shaving Horse, Bowl Horse, Spoon Horse, Hewing Yokes, Log Dogs, Riving Brake, Hold Fast, Carving Bench, Block Knife Bench, etc.
 
Aw c’mon guys! It’ll take me a while to get pics up but my two main work areas were a bench made out of a halved 24 inch diameter, 3.5 foot long cedar round with a mini bench vise mounted to it, and a 125lb Morgan bench vise mounted on a bench in front of the shop I’d clamp tools I was wire wheeling in. I say “were” because I haven’t really used/worked on an axe since last year.
 
For lack of anything better, I have a bench vise that I use for working on handles and heads. I use a couple of old leather gloves when working on handles to keep the vice jaws from imprinting on the wood. If needed, I will use some bar clamps to hold whatever I'm working on to the workbench top. I do need to upgrade, but time is alittle tough to come by right now.
 
A lot depends on where you live. I have always lived and worked in rural areas. Hands down, 65yrs of farm and ranch auctions has been the best for me. Auction house sales are also good. Look up auctioneers in the phone book and call them. In some areas garage sales will be good. I always enjoyed the chase almost as much as the buy.
 
Hijo de Luna said:
How does one find fruitful garage sales and such?

I see so many awesome garage sale type finds on this subforum, makes me a little jealous considering I wouldn't know where to start...
Click to expand...

I think they key is going to them... lots of them. I’d guess in the area I live in the chances of finding a good vice at a yard/garage sale would be 1/200. Around here that also means it’d take years. Folks here aren’t as thrifty, the widows don’t know the value of a vice, and in general there are fewer woodworkers.

Great thread idea O Old Axeman ! I’ll tidy up my workshop and get some better pictures, hopefully later today.

With Christmas coming and a young son and niece, I have some wooden toys that I need to get started on to keep new traditions thriving. Great timing.
 
I'd been thinking about making a Shave Horse for years, due to lockdown six months ago I found a had a bit of time to get on with it!
Made from found timber, door shuttering from a local building site skip & an old teak deck/terrace chair.
Browsed the web looking at pictures, made a mock up with a stool & some wood balanced to take my measurements, cut the parts & layed them on the floor on their side to get the main frame shape, fastened it together with threaded rod so it can be dismantled into smaller parts for storage or moving. Seat can move backwards & forwards, it's just a tight fit. Lathered it with Linseed oil as it lives outside (under cover). Works well.

FZRmRwB.jpg


4OaeY9a.jpg
 
I'mSoSharp said:
I'd been thinking about making a Shave Horse for years, due to lockdown six months ago I found a had a bit of time to get on with it!
Made from found timber, door shuttering from a local building site skip & an old teak deck/terrace chair.
Browsed the web looking at pictures, made a mock up with a stool & some wood balanced to take my measurements, cut the parts & layed them on the floor on their side to get the main frame shape, fastened it together with threaded rod so it can be dismantled into smaller parts for storage or moving. Seat can move backwards & forwards, it's just a tight fit. Lathered it with Linseed oil as it lives outside (under cover). Works well.

FZRmRwB.jpg


4OaeY9a.jpg
Click to expand...

that's really nice work! truly, that looks straight out of a period piece. Glad to hear it works as well as it looks!
 
what some of are able to do with this craft is really impressive (if that wasn't self-evident)

frankly, if I can get a bench and a table make for my workshop, and mount a nice vice to the tabl...

I'll be happy

and I'll be even happier if I can setup my workshop for less than $500!!!

(all that is left is the bench/table setup for carving, unless I go all East Asian and sit on the floor, but I really want to experience making a carving bench and table)

I wish we had had shop class where I went to school :( better late than never though!
 
Hijo de Luna said:
How does one find fruitful garage sales and such?

I see so many awesome garage sale type finds on this subforum, makes me a little jealous considering I wouldn't know where to start...
Click to expand...
Just look up garage sales in your local newspaper. As someone said also check on any auctions in your area. Estate sales are the best though. Most times people just see a vise as a big piece of steel that they don't want to move or deal with. You can get some really good deals. I got that Wilton Shop King for $24 at an estate sale. Just have to check out the sales, you'll come across one at some point. The thrill of the hunt is very exciting.
 
Hijo de Luna said:
what some of are able to do with this craft is really impressive (if that wasn't self-evident)

frankly, if I can get a bench and a table make for my workshop, and mount a nice vice to the tabl...

I'll be happy

and I'll be even happier if I can setup my workshop for less than $500!!!

(all that is left is the bench/table setup for carving, unless I go all East Asian and sit on the floor, but I really want to experience making a carving bench and table)

I wish we had had shop class where I went to school :( better late than never though!
Click to expand...

Some carvers remove the vise from the power arm and screw the work to be carved on the arm (like a duck decoy). The work can then be oriented in any position.View attachment 1469620
 
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