I’ve been thinking about creating a Portable Carving Board that would act as a third hand to hold some types of carvings as I work on them. This would be for portable use when I carve while away from home. Normally, I have used an inexpensive plastic cutting board (typically used as a kitchen chopping board) placed across my legs, or on a table to protect the tabletop. One problem with the plastic board is that the carving is free to slide around on the slippery surface, so I thought that I would try making some mini bench dog equivalents.
I drilled 2 rows of 3/8” holes spaced 1” apart, but not quite all the way through the cutting board, and then cut a few 1” long pieces of 3/8” dowel to use as my “bench dogs”.
By not drilling the holes all of the way through, I don’t have the problem of the dowels falling through the board. I just place the dowels according to the shape of the piece that I am working on, and I have that extra “hand” to help secure the project.
Of course, any variation of hole placement can easily be drilled to suit the shape of your carving.
Comments are welcome.
Have a great day.
One other detail regarding the Sloyd Knife in the photos. That beautifully honed mirror finish that you see, is exactly how this new knife from Flexcut comes. Absolutely ready to go, right out of the package.
-- John, British Columbia, Canada
13 comments so far
Brit
home | projects | blog
8303 posts in 3853 days
#1 posted 09-14-2017 09:25 AM
Nice idea John. Hands are a bit like clamps in that you can never have too many of them.
-- Andy - Old Chinese proverb says: "If you think something can't be done, don't interrupt man who is doing it."
Dutchy
home | projects | blog
4006 posts in 3179 days
#2 posted 09-14-2017 10:15 AM
Clever.
-- https://dutchypatterns.com/
Lucsdogs
home | projects | blog
32 posts in 2493 days
#3 posted 09-14-2017 11:04 AM
Nice idea John. I’ll have to build myself one.
-- Bernie, Oshawa, Ontario
BobWemm
home | projects | blog
2952 posts in 2936 days
#4 posted 09-14-2017 11:40 AM
That is a great idea mate,
Thanks for sharing.
Bob
-- Bob, Western Australia, The Sun came up this morning, what a great start to the day. Now it's up to me to make it even better. I've cut this piece of wood 4 times and it's still too damn short.
Jim Jakosh
home | projects | blog
25935 posts in 4116 days
#5 posted 09-14-2017 12:30 PM
Neat idea!!
Jim
-- Jim Jakosh.....Practical Wood Products...........Learn something new every day!! Variety is the Spice of Life!!
shipwright
home | projects | blog
8678 posts in 3808 days
#6 posted 09-14-2017 01:38 PM
Good one John!
-- Paul M ..............the early bird may get the worm but it’s the second mouse that gets the cheese! http://thecanadianschooloffrenchmarquetry.com/
lew
home | projects | blog
13317 posts in 4766 days
#7 posted 09-14-2017 02:27 PM
Great adaptation, John!
-- Lew- Time traveler. Purveyor of the Universe's finest custom rolling pins.
ralbuck
home | projects | blog
6684 posts in 3277 days
#8 posted 09-14-2017 04:04 PM
Ah; innovation caused by the NEED!
How most things actually got invented anyway. Well thought out, light, & should work well for you.
-- Wood rescue is good for the environment and me! just rjR
Brit
home | projects | blog
8303 posts in 3853 days
#9 posted 09-14-2017 04:08 PM
...and if you turn it over, you can slice some bread and make a sandwich. :o)
-- Andy - Old Chinese proverb says: "If you think something can't be done, don't interrupt man who is doing it."
Cliff
home | projects | blog
1880 posts in 2734 days
#10 posted 09-16-2017 01:31 AM
Very clever John…Great Idea.
Regards,
Cliff.
-- Cliff Australia : Snoring is good. It blows away all the Sawdust.
Druid
home | projects | blog
2205 posts in 3806 days
#11 posted 09-16-2017 06:47 AM
Thanks for all of the comments. I’m waiting to see Brit’s “sandwich” version. ;)
-- John, British Columbia, Canada
bushmaster
home | projects | blog
4120 posts in 3293 days
#12 posted 09-19-2017 02:01 PM
Good idea, just keep some band aides in you pocket just in case.
-- Brian - Hazelton, British Columbia
Druid
home | projects | blog
2205 posts in 3806 days
#13 posted 09-20-2017 06:44 AM
bushmaster – Glad that you like this blog. As for your comment, here is how I deal with that requirement . . .

These bandaids were included with my Power Gouge Set, but I have not had to use them yet. :)
-- John, British Columbia, Canada
Have your say...