I had an odd shaped piece that I wanted to carve a “14” on. It is a mast step on a Pacific Class sailboat, it is a hard wood piece inside the boat where the mast “plugs into”. It had already been built into a trapaziodal shape with a rectangular piece glued to the bottom, and the bottom was a little un-even. The surface I wanted to carve was sloped also.
I had to get a little creative with work holding, and being a sailboat rigger by trade, I can only solve problems by using rope and turnbuckles!
There are two opposing turnbuckles to keep it from moving along the X-axis. Two more turnbuckles to pull it against the edge of the waste board to keep it from moving along the Y-axis. I put a small block under it to raise the sloped side so it was flat and held it down with some clamps. Lastly I used another turnbuckle attached to the bottom of my bench to keep from moving up/down.
I was very proud of myself. I explained all this to wife, she acted impressed. I know some of you will appreciate it!