Human Powered Vise Project

[Mooseherder]

Made this Shaving Horse Sunday with scraps that were laying around.
The 2x12 was from the High Top Table project we didn't use because it was cupped pretty good. 
It now serves as the bench and bridge to rest the piece on.
The legs and braces were from an old bedframe someone discarded.
The pivoting arm assembly are from an old futon someone threw away.
Most of the screws used had been saved from taking stuff apart.
I only had to use a few new deck screws to finish putting together.
So time is the only investment so far.
I'm not happy with the holding crossbar yet.  I was able to pull the piece I was testing on rather easily.
May have to reposition the pivot assembly and will also add some extra leverage on the Foot bar.

[Dodgy Loner]

I was about to make the same suggestion about moving the pivot bar before I read all of your comments. The arm usually pivots on the bridge for greater mechanical advantage. You should also consider shortening the arm at the top. It works best when the arm is nearly vertical when your stock is clamped. My shaving horse has an adjustable riser (fancy name for a door hinge on the bridge and a block of wood underneath the bridge). Good luck, I'm sure you'll get it working with a little more fenagling. Looks like it's got strong bones!

[SwampDonkey]

I to have considered building a shaving horse for a couple years now. Not that I'm intending to use it much, but more of a conversation piece. I also noticed the location of your pivot point should have been up on the bridge for the reason Dodgy explained. And he also makes some other good points that will be useful in the design. Your bench looks strong and sturdy, good use of that spruce plank. 

Northwoods and Brad_BB have a couple nice benches in one of these threads to take a look at to. ;)

[Mooseherder]

I'm gonna fine tune her and soften the corners this weekend or maybe sooner.
When it is working as intended I'll sand smooth and put a finish on it.
There are several left over cans of Stains in one of my drawers I can choose without going to the store.

[Brad_bb]

I can sure appreciate making something useful from scraps.  I went with a more traditional look, but if it works, great!

[fiddle1]

thats a great shaving horse---been interested in the human powered clamp idea for some time also.

whats also nice in the human powered vice category is a desk and rope
carving clamp.

i drilled four holes in my least favorite tabletop and threaded a rope so it forms
a long loop---two parts are on top ----that can be lifted and two long hanging parts of the tied loop
for my shoes to press straight down. i have a dowel under the rope sections to pull up when im done
using it.  

it gives me just enough force to hold a woodpeice to the table and carve it using both hands and my upper body but does not clamp hard enough to make clamp marks.  

super simple.

much fun.