Please how can I fix small pieces of limestone while carving?

Question

Less than 10". I've lost a couple of figures that were coming along not half bad now through slipping in a vice. Is there another way? I keep the vice a bit loose to avoid crushing but I'm not getting the balance right. Vice fixing and soft stone don't seem to go together. Any helpful ideas please? Do I just have to go onto heavier stuff? I don't like clay so that's not on, and my friends do like the small figures.

Answer 1

if it breaks, use epoxy. it works well and it dries clear.

Answer 2

yes a paded vise would be good , you could experiment with different types of foam materials as well as with foam of different thickness.you should not tighten your vise too much, just tighten it enough to be firm, or you get the result that makes you ask this question.oh yess!! you need to use a vise of a suitable size, don't use a huge bench vise if you are working with pieces that are small.you don't use a hammer if what you want to do is to kill a fly!!! you use a fly swatter.
God bless,
gabe

Answer 3

Did you try to pad the vice with towels (secured w/ duct tape)? That might buffer the grip.