Holding spoons

[RobNichols]

I thought I'd try my hand at carving and making spoons for my granddaughters would be a nice little project in the run up to Christmas. The first is for my eldest granddaughter and I'm pleased with it. But I want to make something a little more delicate for the younger granddaughter. So on Saturday afternoon I tried to see how I'd get on making a smaller spoon. Again I'm pleased with the results and feel I'm learning a lot.

I think the thing I'm struggling with most is holding the pieces as I carve. I ended up whittling the small spoon, holding the piece in one hand while I cut with the other. I think I'd be happier if I could hold the work piece mechanically. I'd be able to cut waste away a lot more efficiently.

So how do others hold their carving projects?

 

[Blackswanwood]

I really like the look of those. What wood have you used?

 

[RobNichols]

Thank you. It's pear I think. It isn't green so I'm probably making things harder for myself.

 

[SVB]

Hi Rob - welcome to the slippery slope that is spoon carving. I mainly carve eating / cooking spoons rather than Welsh style love spoons but if you fancy a run out to stroud area would be happy to spend an hour or two to go through some knife grips and tips.

 

[SVB]

Failing that, Barn the Spon book is ace.

 

[RobNichols]

That would be great @SVB. My parents lived below Rodborough Common so no problem finding my way down to Nailsworth. I'll send a PM

 

[Fergie 307]

Maybe try a workshop type grip mat. Will certainly stop it moving about too much.

 

[Phill05]

Hi Rob,
One of the things that could help you hold your spoons ( by the way I love them) what I do is holding odd shapes in wood and brass work for clocks so as not to mark items I lined the jaws of a vice with leather I use a gell type glue and it gives a good cushion to hold.
The vice is one you can fix to most tables so I can move it about to where I need to work.



Newly lined

 

[Inspector]

Use a rope and your foot. Release in an instant to reposition and clamp again. A couple holes in a bench top, tabletop, sawhorse or picnic table, wherever and whatever you like to work on.

https://www.instructables.com/Foot-Operated-Hold-Down-Tool/

Other examples on Pinterest.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/foot-operated-holddown-tool--2814818508696043/

Pete

 

[RobNichols]

Use a rope and your foot. Release in an instant to reposition and clamp again. A couple holes in a bench top, tabletop, sawhorse or picnic table, wherever and whatever you like to work on.

https://www.instructables.com/Foot-Operated-Hold-Down-Tool/

Other examples on Pinterest.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/foot-operated-holddown-tool--2814818508696043/

Pete

Thanks Pete - that's rather splendid. I have to give that a go.

 

[RobNichols]

Hi Rob,
One of the things that could help you hold your spoons ( by the way I love them) what I do is holding odd shapes in wood and brass work for clocks so as not to mark items I lined the jaws of a vice with leather I use a gell type glue and it gives a good cushion to hold.
The vice is one you can fix to most tables so I can move it about to where I need to work.

Thanks Phil, a vice mounted on top of the bench would be useful. I have wondered about getting one of the Axminster "Pattern makers" vices. That in combination with Pete's rope solution would provide a much wider range of clamping options that I have at the moment.

 

[RobNichols]

Maybe try a workshop type grip mat. Will certainly stop it moving about too much.

To be honest I have such a mat but couldn't spot it when I looking to do some carving recently. Again it is something that would help.

 

[Fergie 307]

To be honest I have such a mat but couldn't spot it when I looking to do some carving recently. Again it is something that would help.

I use one for working on watch case backs and various clock case parts. Quite delicate and awkward shapes to get hold of with a clamp, very like your spoons

 

[stuckinthemud]

Mmmm, so, I often nail/screw bits of scrap timber to my bench top to hold the spoon in place, or the same with a bench hook that I clamp into my vice. Spoons are incredibly awkward to clamp and as slippery as a bar of soap. They wriggle out of pretty much everything. I usually leave nibs on the end of the bowl and handle specifically for clamping then cut them off when I’m almost done with the carving.

 

[SVB]

You can have a go on my spoon mule when you come over too - amazing bit of kit and dead simple.

 

[Tris]

Handy video here




I'll get my coat

 

[benitod]

Hi, Rob.
It's an interesting kind of twisted spoon.
Did you keep in mind a lefty person during the carving process?

 

[RobNichols]

Hi, Rob.
It's an interesting kind of twisted spoon.
Did you keep in mind a lefty person during the carving process?

Hi @benitod
I didn't think of handedness when carving the spoon, but I am left handed, so perhaps that influenced my design.

 

[TRITON]

Heres an idea for you
(Not mine)

 

[RobNichols]

That's rather splendid @TRITON