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  1. 19th June 2019, 06:34 PM #1
    Dengue
    Dengue is offline GOLD MEMBER
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    Default Holdfast for workbench

    Hello, I need to make a portable bench ( box shaped, on its side) to clamp to my existing bench to give better working height for some jobs, like paring with chisels and planing small pieces. I have some Kwila 42mm thick, 300wide I think would suit.
    Thinking of putting some 19mm holes in for some bench holdfasts, but have never used on before, and would appreciate some advice
    1. What is the minimum thickness of the workbench top for the holdfast to work properly?
    2. Is there any benefit in screwing a block of wood under the bench to make the holes longer?
    3. Do the clamps enlarge the holes with useage, making them useless after a while?
    4. Should I use cast iron or steel holdfasts?
    5. Where can I get them?

    Any ideas and suggestions are most welcome, thank you
    regards,

    Dengy
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  3. 19th June 2019, 06:51 PM #2
    taz01
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    I thought that holdfasts need the surface to be 3+ inch thick. I've heard screwing wood underneath (so thickening the bench only at the dogholes) could be used if you plan to make a benchtop thinner than this but I've never tried this.

    Worththeeffort on YouTube has a post over spring steel or cast so it would be worth a watch.

    In terms of them increasing the hole size i doubt this would be an issue. Some benches on this forum are older than me and are still going strong.

    In terms of where you can get them from, i bought a pair of gramercy ones from lie Nielsen aus, although I'm sure there are us sights where you can go direct.

    I think there was a post a while ago about getting them from mcjing tools as a cheaper alternative.

    Please correct me if I'm wrong anyone. I'm keen to learn!

    Regards,

    Adam
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  4. 19th June 2019, 08:18 PM #3
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    Hoey
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    I bought my holdfasts at hnt stall last September but haven't drilled holes for them yet

    https://hntgordon.com.au/products/gramercy-hold-fasts
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  5. 19th June 2019, 10:11 PM #4
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    orraloon
    orraloon is offline almost a woodworker
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    My holdfasts were from Mcjings at about 16 bucks each and work really well. Think they are cast steel. That was a few years back so perhaps 20ish now. 42mm should be fine but if you have to glue a thicknissing board under its not that hard. Try it and see how it goes first. My top is about 70mm and works fine but I have heard that really thick tops actually retard the holding. The shaft skewing in the hole is what does the holding. There was some discussion on this a couple of years back in the workbench section and some tried home made wood holdfasts that worked quite well too.
    Regards
    John
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  6. 19th June 2019, 11:33 PM #5
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    Pagie
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    Mine work in 50mm.
    I am learning, slowley.
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