Woodcraft: Making a Carving Bench in the Woods

This carving bench is part of my wood shop in the woods. The rope vise holds carving stock secure on one end and peg holes in the middle for other work.
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There's an accompanying how-to on our blog if you're interested: survivalsherpa.wordpress.com/...
Another helpful tool at my camp is the Paring Ladder. Check out the video here: • Making a Simple Shavin...
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[@susanp.collins7834]

The 'bowsaw' idea for tensioning is BEYOND BRILLIANT! It's BETTER than GENIUS!!!!

[@CptnSavage]

VERY impressive wood carving bench for out in the woods. I'll have to make one of those for myself, though I am not sure how much use I'll get out of it. But just making it will be fun! ! ! Thank you for sharing.

[@OsborneExploration]

I'm doing the same, but who knows.. It might spark a new hobby of kuska and spoon carving. All the best. 👍👍

[@russellmenser7749]

Such a good video thank you. I also like the thing you made to hold the log earlier in the video the standing vice thing. I would love to see a video on that if you don't already have one I am going to look now. Just wanted to say how I like the rope vice also very good video.

[@christineriley1295]

That bench is brilliant! I aim to make one soon. Thanks for sharing!

[@SurvivalSherpa]

Hope it works for you! Thanks!

[@AtEboli]

That rope vice was really a good idea. I also liked that system you used earlier in the video where you had a piece of wood wedged between your pole and another piece of wood to hold the piece while you used your draw knife. Some good tips!

[@OsborneExploration]

That's an awesome and useful tool! You've inspired me to build one for myself. Thank you, and GOD bless!

[@BigAlNaAlba]

That is a fantastic idea with the twisted cord "hold down". I will be building a few of these in the Scottish woods tomorrow. Thanks for posting.

[@SurvivalSherpa]

Great bud! It's a handy vise.

[@ChartreuseNature]

I'd say just one word about that : inspiring ! Thanks for sharing. Gotta do one on my camp. Greetings from France.

[@SurvivalSherpa]

+Outdoor un jour, outdoor toujours Thank you, sir. It's a great tool to have around.

[@michaelj2536]

Hey great bench. I was a chain saw carver for years. Now all I wanna do is traditional stuff. Your bench is a great model to see how it's done. Well made and well thought out. Thanks !

[@SurvivalSherpa]

Many thanks, Michael! Hope this helps in your journey.

[@ronjohnsonoutdoors339]

That is awesome work, Todd! God bless Ron

[@SurvivalSherpa]

+Ron Johnson Outdoors Really appreciate you watching, Ron! Thank you, sir!

[@otterriveroutdoors5309]

Sweet project! I have been planning to make one of those for my spoon projects. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@SurvivalSherpa]

+Otter River Outdoors Glad it helped inspire you, bud. I'm building one for my shop as well. Don't know why I haven't built one of these before now :)

[@Survivalathome]

Well done, brother! I especially love the rope vice. That's pure genius!!

[@SurvivalSherpa]

+Survival at Home Appreciate it, Patrick! I'd never seen that rope trick before and thought I'd give it a try. Worked like a champ!

[@erichays7993]

That was awesome! Yet another inspirational video.

[@SurvivalSherpa]

Glad to hear your feedback, my friend! You've got a few projects to work on now. ;)

[@jsboyle3459]

Very helpful👍

[@dominicm6144]

What a beautiful setup. I'd love to take a day pack out and just work there on some carvings. Thanks for the video.

[@SurvivalSherpa]

You ever in NE Georgia, look me up. Carving by the creek ain't bad.

[@sosteve9113]

very nice set of tools,your working with thanks for showing atb steve thumb up friend

[@SurvivalSherpa]

+so steve My pleasure, Steve. Thanks for watching!

[@percylewis7692]

AWESOME job bro!!👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽🔥🔥🔥

[@woodsmokewoodcraftschool3332]

Good stuff there Todd. And a great spot to work some wood.

[@SurvivalSherpa]

+Woodsmoke Woodcraft School Thanks, David! Just a little slice of peace in my world. Gotta build me a real shaving horse like yours out there.

[@AtlasReburdened]

If you were to affix a thicker section across those legs which had a hole through the center and a hole off a few inches to one side (both perpendicular to the main axis) , you could pass the rope through the center hole, wind it with a stick that can clear the legs, and drop an "L" or "T" shaped peg into the second hole so the end stick out and stops your winding stick from unwinding. That way you don't have to fuddle with tilting the winding stick to pass the legs.

[@randalflagg9086]

I'm in the process of making myself a carving bench from a piece of Ash I think I'm going to go with your design,great job!

[@SurvivalSherpa]

Glad you like it, sir. Keep us posted on the progress. Many thanks!

[@cosimoagostino3227]

Good job great idea ty for sharing.

[@DonLemont]

thanks just what i needed to see today is Friday i will be using one by Sunday thanks for the great video and keep them coming.

[@SurvivalSherpa]

Hope it adds a little value, Don. Thanks for the support!

[@DonLemont]

value for sure its great cant thank you enough for the great videos.

[@JulieHiltbrunner]

That's so clever! Subbed.

[@SurvivalSherpa]

Many thanks for watching and the sub, Julie!!

[@clayguinard3651]

Very good video, thank you

[@downeastprimitiveskills7688]

Nice break to hold the work, I will have to give that a go. super find on the folding drawknife. the T-auger, I use tape as well for depth markers, another way is to do a sample one inch deep hole and count the full turns then count by multiples to the depth needed. I guessing 12 turn per inch. I'm looking at setting up a bodger camp to get away from the hustle and bustle of my mill shop environment, just had tool. Working on a spring pole lathe now.

[@SurvivalSherpa]

Hope you film the spring pole build. That's one project on my to-do list.

[@robertlangley258]

Good video, good project, good job, I'm jealous as hell of your location. I could live right there if it were mine. Thanks bro

[@SurvivalSherpa]

Yeah man, I'm fortunate! Appreciate your support, Robert!

[@jesseneedham4370]

Brilliant!

[@gangawerks]

I like it. Thanks.

[@22busy43]

Very creative and effective. Now just to find a log.

[@bluetoad2001]

great piece of kit. you need a Bowl Adze. thanks for posting, you made amfine video and you have a nice place to work in the woods

[@SurvivalSherpa]

Many thanks for taking time to watch and comment! Yup. A bowl adze would be a nice addition to my tool kit.

[@danmorgan3685]

I really like what you did with the rope and hole. You wouldn't be able to move around if you were holding the rope with your foot. The peg holes aren't 100% needed as you could jam your work in place with more scrap wood but it does save a lot of effort and material. Makes me wish I had an auger. Hell I don't even have a proper log.

[@SurvivalSherpa]

+Dan Morgan Thanks, Dan! I have a log that uses wedges to hold stock at camp but this windlass on my new bench is so much more effective. Look at antique stores and thrift shops for an auger. Love mine!

[@OutoftheWoods0623]

Nice work

[@SurvivalSherpa]

+Out of the Woods Many thanks!

[@jacobnonya9240]

awesome job. I'm a beginner Carver and been needing a good bench. think I'll try this

[@SurvivalSherpa]

Glad you're getting started on a great hobby, Jacob! Thank you for watching and keep us posted on your progress.

[@jacobnonya9240]

Survival Sherpa will do.

[@20p65s]

That's a win man.

[@SurvivalSherpa]

+20p65s Appreciate it, bud.

[@_Korinzu]

I'll have to make one!

[@SurvivalSherpa]

+todd collings Shouldn't take you too long on this project, Todd. Pretty simple. Just takes a bit of sweat equity.

[@asaalul4561]

Excellent work you did in the woods. If I may suggest, adding braces for the legs would make it even sturdier. Thank you for the video.

[@SurvivalSherpa]

Thanks for the suggestion and support!

[@deanoboland]

Nice work on the video mate

[@SurvivalSherpa]

Many thanks, Dean.

[@santosmelendrez5048]

Muy buen video amigo saludos

[@jameswhitt4345]

very good

[@manbunnmcfanypakjustacoolg4965]

I just built something similar from an old 4×6 beam. Wish I would have watched this first.

[@kimepp2216]

Nice work. You should try a pole lathe next.

[@SurvivalSherpa]

I've been threatening to try one for while now. Thank you, Kim!

[@BigHat83]

Nice vid. Liked and subscribed

[@SurvivalSherpa]

Many thanks, Bighat! Nice to have you along.

[@RuggedOutdoorz]

God I love this video thanks for sharing this I have subbed you so I can keep up to date with your video's

[@SurvivalSherpa]

Many thanks for the support and sub! Really appreciate you watching. Hope it adds some value.

[@eddietafoya4105]

That bow saw tension idea was damn genius! Thank you

[@jaytech4082]

u just change my carving man! =)

[@billyjoedenny]

turned out to be a great work table.. ..bill

[@SurvivalSherpa]

+billy joe denny I really like it. Gotta get some projects going on it.

[@tonyfelts1512]

old ways....keep it up Bro

[@SurvivalSherpa]

I like new stuff as long as it's old, lol.

[@humanhanddesign8857]

That rope clamp is a great idea. You could even brace the two legs and throw some sand bags over them to really secure the bench. Damn cool video though.

[@SurvivalSherpa]

+Human Hand Design Thanks for watching! I haven't found the need to anchor the legs yet. Good suggestion though.

[@brianalan9370]

Great video, thanks! What if you made the legs one foot longer but buried that extra foot in the ground for more stability?

[@SurvivalSherpa]

That would certainly work for stability but I like to have it mobile. Appreciate the comment and your support, Brian!

[@TinkeringWithTim]

Do you have some basic dimensions on this or follow up comments after a couple years of use? What would you do differently. How long is the log and what are the basic dimensions of stuff. Thanks

[@gpvaneron1584]

haha. glad im not the only one that tapes my beam augur for depth

[@SurvivalSherpa]

lol, an old carpentry trick my dad taught me. Thanks for watching.

[@watermain48]

I like that bench Todd, thanks for sharing it with us. What brand is that gouge you''re using, it looks like a good one.

[@SurvivalSherpa]

Thanks, Bill! That's a Hirsch bent gouge. I got if from Highland Woodworking in ATL. Love it!

[@watermain48]

Tks

[@weedeater64]

What size is that auger and where do you get one of those from?

[@middelhedeeinstk5848]

Hi..nice carving bench : -) how did you do the horizontal cut in the middle section?

[@SurvivalSherpa]

Sawed down vertically in sections to the desired depth and knocked the sections loose with my ax. Then trim them up with the ax to flatten the surface.

[@susanp.collins7834]

Is that padauk or purpleheart - not the big chunk, the stick thingy...

[@rottiejakeluke]

What size (diameter) auger did you use? Thanks

[@davidmashburn9243]

RE: south african tinder tube. Finding 100% cotton mop material is difficult at best Go to the Wick Store, they sell tube wicking in 1/4" size,100% cotton. I cut 5 pieces the length of the tube and pushed them in. Works great, ignites easily with flint and steel and really cranks. David Mashburn

[@SurvivalSherpa]

+David Mashburn Good idea on using the tube wicking, David. I bet it does do the trick!

[@bushfosterdad]

What diameter is the auger you used for the leg holes? TIA!

[@SurvivalSherpa]

Inch and a quarter, though I've used one inch as well.

[@jayn9559]

Long time listener, first time commenter, where can you get a cheap augor? Like the one you got there,

[@SurvivalSherpa]

I come across these often in antique stores at reasonable prices.

[@SurvivalSherpa]

I come across these often in antique stores at reasonable prices.

[@bushfosterdad]

Pardon a mundane question, what diameter auger is that! TIA!

[@SurvivalSherpa]

That one is 1.25" I do believe. I've used larger and smaller (min. 1") on cedar benches before. Nothing mundane about that, Ted. Thanks for the question and watching the stuff!

[@susanp.collins7834]

Now maybe weigh those legs down with some kind of brick attachment. It seems very wobbly to me.

[@maxpolaris99]

what size is the auger?

[@Jason52597]

What width is your Auger?

[@neilmarshall5087]

Just thought - 'woooh he's stuck a hand powered drill on the end'..... Silly me. Be a good idea for a future video for you. Don't remember having seen one made in a camp yet.

[@Ruralset]

Hey just bought an auger and its not going in ... what do I do

[@SurvivalSherpa]

May need to be sharpened if it's an old used one.

[@laz0rama]

i am guessing all that wood is already dry?

[@SurvivalSherpa]

Yessir it's seasoned.

[@leifforrest]

This type of work bench is called a clave.

[@SurvivalSherpa]

Thanks, Leif.

[@abc030cba]

Where can I buy that auger?

[@SurvivalSherpa]

I found this one at an antique store. You can probably find some online though.

[@abc030cba]

Survival Sherpa How is it called in English? I'm not native English.

[@tonyfelts1512]

I got to make me one

[@SurvivalSherpa]

They're helpful for lots of things. Thanks brother.

[@clayguinard3651]

Why do you keep hitting that piece of wood I don't really understand that?

[@druid799]

Shamelessly stole your awesome idea for the twisted cordage vice for my log carving bench , only difference with my bench is I’ve only got the full width of the log at one end unlike yours with the two sections , so I can lock a length of timber crossways like your self but I can also lock it in length ways on to it and use a couple of the pegs to stop it ‘swinging’ from side to side if it’s a longer length . 👍