When I’m relief-carving panels, I prefer to work at an easel, which reduces the amount this old back has to bend. While working on an intricate design recently, I found myself constantly reorienting the panel to allow carving with the grain. To make the job easier, I screwed a rotating platform to the easel, attaching the carved panel to the platform by wedging it between cleats, as shown.
Now I can simply rotate the platform and workpiece as necessary to gain the best angle of attack.
I find that the single pivot screw creates enough friction between the unfinished easel top and platform to stabilize the platform. However, if I find it shifting under tool pressure, I’ll drive an additional locking screw through its corner.
Philip Houck, Boston, Massachusetts
