I don't have a stave press or anything to hold the stave. Is a wood vice that bolts onto a workbench a good second for holding your stave? Or is there a better way to go?
I have always used a bench vise. It works great. (http://sticknstring.webs.com//photos/Roughout/rough24.JPG)
I have 4x4 block to keep the stave/bow level and supported while I work it. I have thick leather on the jaws of the vise and on the 4x4 block. Also I glued 60 grit sandpaper on the bottom of the block to keep it from slipping.
I have a similar setup to John's except I took the metal jaws off my vice and made some birch jaws to replace them. Also, my bench isn't long enough to support the ends of the limbs so I use a 2x4 cut to the right height to brace it from the floor.
Now, that's a workshop, John. Looks like someone works in it. d;^)
I have a bench vise bolted to my work bench too. I use it for rough work mostly like getting the stave to floor tiller stage; removing bark and sapwood, removing excess belly wood and shaping up the sides of the stave. After that I use my bowyers bench for tillering.
When I use Eric's gizmo I clamp the stave/bow handle in the bench vise.
I like that idea John. Thanks. I will make a bowyer's bench someday....but for now it looks like a bench vice will do.
I use a bench vice and for padding I use a piece of 1/2 inch conveyor belt rubber. Works like a charm.
(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc105/longbowpete/hickory/DSCN1016.jpg)
(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc105/longbowpete/narrow%20way/DSCN7881.jpg)
pete
Good idea Pete. I've got some retread but it would probably be too thick.
I also use the bench vise. Although rather than stabd, I made a bench to work off of. I'll see if I can find a pic in photobucket.