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After finding his regular work-holding means inadequate for a spindle task, Charles Mak sought other options. He eventually made a shaving fixture that is inexpensive, portable and has a small footprint.
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A traditional shaving horse, essential for spindle work or green woodworking, can be quite costly or take days to build. It can also occupy as much floor space as a bench seat. In my research, I came across some smaller shaving fixtures of varying designs and features. Choosing simplicity and size over other considerations, I built a modified shave horse that can be used on my bench or on any clamp-friendly top.
The bench-top shave horse consists of four key components: the beam, the swing treadle, the foot pedal and the clamping block. You can customize the design and measurements to suit your needs. I tried out different configurations by experimenting with various placements of holes on a prototype.
The author tested out various treadle configurations in a comfortable sitting position.
The shave horse can be built in these steps:
1) Drill a series of spaced center holes on the upper part of the treadle stiles
The spaced holes on the stiles provide for setting the clamping block at different heights.
2) Bore a center hole on each stile for mounting the beam
3) Drill a hole end-to-end on the clamping block
A slightly off-center clamping block allows small height adjustments in each hole setting.
4) Glue and screw the top and bottom bars to the stiles
After drilling, assemble the swing treadle using glue and screws.
5) Attach the foot pedal to the bottom bar
Glue and screw the pedal to the bottom bar from the top as well as on the sides.
6) Drill a center mounting hole across the beam
Drilling the mounting hole on the beam is the last cutting task for the project.
7) Put everything together and give the clamping block a test drive
Install the beam and clamping block to complete the fixture.
To use the shave horse, clamp the beam to the bench’s top with a holdfast or clamp (left). Place the work under the clamping block, and lock it by pushing the treadle forward with your foot (right).
Left: Secure the beam on the bench before using the fixture.
Right: A gentle push on the pedal will deliver a solid grip of the work.
This compact bench-top fixture can be stood in a corner or disassembled for storage or for ease of transport. Putting it back – bolting the beam to the treadle – takes only seconds.
The fixture can also be disassembled or reassembled in a matter of seconds.
Of course, the fixture is not meant to replace a full-sized shave horse, but it does offer a quick solution for light-duty chores such as spindles or spoons. You can follow this article to build your own version of the shave horse, and perhaps even use it to finish your favorite spatula – all on the same day!
Text and photos by Charles Mak
Charles Mak, now in retirement, is an enthusiastic hobby woodworker, teacher, writer and tipster. He formerly worked part-time at his local Lee Valley Tools store.
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