[dugbee]

Hi,

I'm brand new to walking sticks (and carving in general) and this jig looked like a great idea - I'm not sure I want to build/store a full shaving horse yet. I'm using 1/2" 13 thread rod - although I haven't glued it into the jig yet. I can't seem to find the handle piece - it looks like a 1/2" nut welded to a piece of metal?

I thought about making my own out of wood, but 1/2" t-nuts aren't easily found. Is that handle something specific I should look for, or is it custom made?

Thanks for any tips!

 

[dugbee]

I was expecting that I'd be done and carving away with the new jig a few weeks ago. I'm almost done. The base is done, stained and finished. Still need to make the vise handle But I got so frustrated maneuvering around my little room, I decided to completely reorganize my workshop. I've moving to a French cleat system for storage, which will let me eliminate an entire stationary workbench and make more room for carving. Hopefully that will let me get back to my first stick within a couple of weeks! Happy New Year!

 

[dugbee]

At long last, my carving jig is done! This little project really was a catalyst to reorganize my workshop. I ended up:

- Making French cleats and little storage units for power tools, which let me get rid of a shelf and an entire workbench

- Buying a new toolbox for small parts storage

- Relocating/tossing a bunch of misc items from the basement to make room for plywood storage

- Building a cart that can hold a bench-top bandsaw, belt/disc sander, and spindle sander

- Getting rid of the old worn-out foam floor tiles and put down brand new ones

- Got a Dust Deputy and made room for it to improve the shop-vac dust collection

..so a "few days" for this project turned into weeks of reorganization. But it's so much better now, I have room on one bench for electronics stuff and more floor space for wood stuff!

Anyway I ended up making my own handle as I didn't have a carver's screw. I found some unique 1/2" nuts on eBay that worked well. Now I can finally get back to that first stick!