[Woodcarver] Re: Relief carving Bench

[Ramsey]

Hi Rick,

Nice easel!  I built a similar easel with a 
couple of changes.  For the top I used a table 
top clamping vise from a Workmate knock off I got 
from Harbor Freight.  I just removed the legs. 
It's not as pretty as yours but it has no surface 
clamps to get in the way and the bench dogs give 
me more flexibility for irregular pieces.  I also 
mounted a ball vise on a block that can be 
clamped into the table top vise for small 
in-the-round pieces.  In addition I clamp the 
whole setup to a rolling hydraulic lift table. 
Because the height can be fine tuned I can use it 
either sitting down or standing up as well as 
adjust to the perfect height for each part of the 
carving and the height can be adjusted to be used 
by my wife and daughter.  If I need to move it, 
it rolls wherever I want it.  The hydraulic 
tables are available for less than $200 from 
Harbor Freight.  I use the hydraulic table all of 
the time for lifting and moving doors and mantels 
around as well as a carving stand for mantels.
-- 
Ron Ramsey
http://www.carvedbyramsey.com

>I built a tiltingÝ carving "easel" that will clamp to the drawer on my
>  desk, and in my B&D workmate, I usually do no bigger than about 12 x
>  14 so it works well for mr. there are pics on my pictrail site. it is
>  stable, and works great. I built it from stuff I just had laying
>  around.
>http://www.picturetrail.com/dovesart

Rick