From Doug Storment, San Antonio, Tex.
Most carvers struggle to sketch an accurate centerline on an irregularly shaped band-saw cutout. I use a laser level—the type used to establish straight lines on walls. Mark the center in a few spots on the carving and aim the laser level so it lines up with those marks.
This will give you a bright red line running down the center of the project. Draw a pencil line along the red line to easily mark the centerline. This method saves me an amazing amount of time that I would have spent fiddling with squares and straight edges, especially if the cutout is not symmetrical.
An old IV stand could be just what the doctor ordered for your power carving shop.
Use an IV Stand for Rotary-Power Carvers
From Dick Elliott, Pocatello, Idaho
Check with local hospitals, nursing homes, or nursing schools for old IV stands. These organizations often replace IV stands when they start to look old or rusty.
The stands are strong enough and stable enough to securely support a hanging rotary-power carver, and the adjustable shaft of the stand allows you to set the tool at the exact height you want.
The wheels allow you to roll the tool around to find the most comfortable position. This setup is much more flexible than the old-style supports that clamp onto a bench.
