Swedish Lap vise

[Whittler Kev]

Hi dudes an easy way to hold stuff on your lap for carving. A Swedish lap vise as shown here by Dave Canterbury from about 3:50

 

[crosslandkelly]

I think one of those is going to be in my rucksack, cheers.

 

[Macaroon]

A really massive improvement on this idea is to cut slots in the board, and use webbing or straps.............Instead of small holes and cordage; no real weight penalty or difficulty to make but much better holding, and easier to use with legs/feet without having to constantly reach down to sort out tangles.

 

[crosslandkelly]

Good idea Mac, I think I'll make one today.

 

[mrcharly]

That is fantastic. Could add a few slots further apart for webbing to hold wider pieces down.

 

[crosslandkelly]

Knocked this up this morning, 10" x 11.5" scrap of 12mm WBP ply, drilled, cut, sanded and given a couple of coats of Walnut oil. A little over an hour to make. It's a bit rough and ready but it works very well.

 

[Tjurved]

It is a nice idea! I live in Sweden and I've see someone use that kind of "vise" but it is miles away from beeing common. Professional woodcarvers don't seem to use it.

 

[dewi]

Had no idea Jeff Bridges liked making spoons in the woods!

Interesting tool though... might be more stable with two loops, crossed over to the feet if that makes sense.

 

[Muddypaws]

Thanks for sharing! Definitely one for my to do list.

 

[Whittler Kev]

Knocked this up this morning, 10" x 11.5" scrap of 12mm WBP ply, drilled, cut, sanded and given a couple of coats of Walnut oil. A little over an hour to make. It's a bit rough and ready but it works very well.

nice improvement I reckon

 

[Brizzlebush]

Knocked this up this morning, 10" x 11.5" scrap of 12mm WBP ply, drilled, cut, sanded and given a couple of coats of Walnut oil. A little over an hour to make. It's a bit rough and ready but it works very well.
View attachment 38326 View attachment 38327 View attachment 38328

Nice, I like the ability to move the straps around as the workpiece dictates.

Here's another design:

This is lovely:

 

[Tony]

Good thread resurrection

 

[Tiley]

I am definitely going to give this idea a try. It'll make using a draw knife that bit safer and more accurate. Many thanks for resurrecting this - it's one of those little bits of genius!

 

[nigelp]

Brilliant. What a simple idea and a great safe way for youngsters (and older folk) to carve spoons.