Recommend a carving vice?

[Steven Lee, NC]

I finally got the book Carving in the Round and can't wait to try the first project. Can anyone recommend an economical vise?

I don't want to bolt it to my table but I don't mind bolting it to a sacrificial board that is then clamped to my table.

thanks

[Mike Pounders]

Economical is a relative term, depending on how much money you have. If you do a google search for a "Poor Man's Vise" you can find instructions for making a simple one from a few plumbing parts. Here is a link to a decent one by Everett Ellenwood for $135, which is a decent price. http://www.ellenwoodarts.com/catalog-test.asp
The veritas carvers vise is $129 http://www.leevalley.com/en/Wood/pag...332,41667&ap=1
Those are about the cheapest ones I would recommend.

[Jim Ritter]

I found a Wilton pow-r-arm on Craigslist for $75. I also turned one up by placing a WTB ad on a couple of forums, that one cost me $65. They would work fine on there own but I added this to one of them.



Jim

[Tom Jones III]

I'm using a version of the poor man's vise and I'm very happy with it. In fact, in my amateur opinion, it is better than the inexpensive vises listed so far on this thread. Actually, I went through some videos by Chris Pye and I think I like my vice better than his, judging by how much his carving was moving while he worked on it.

Here is a link to the poor man's vise. The only thing I did different is that instead of a plastic handle to tighten it, I just use a nut and a wrench.

[Steven Lee, NC]

this finally came in today, ordered two items and both were out of stock so had to wait a couple weeks but so far so good and only costs $80.

RPCV130.jpg
http://www.thewoodcraftshop.com/stor...E-RPCV130.html

[Doug Raineault]

I use a Wilton power arm and a small Stanley swivel vise. I do like Jim Ritter's addition to the power arm..great idea.