Thread: Blacksmith made holdfasts

Has there been any progress with these??

Cheers
Brian

They are probably going around the testing circuit Brian, and that can take some time.

going around where?

Originally Posted by Pagie

going around where?

I'm only estimating Pagie, but Mike was thinking about sending a sample to some people for evaluation.

Just kinda wondering...how are things going with the holdfasts? Are they suitable for others to buy, or is more tweaking needed?

Chris Schwarz posted this today ...

Giant French Holdfasts from the 18th Century | Popular Woodworking Magazine

Regards from Perth

Derek

Originally Posted by derekcohen

Chris Schwarz posted this today ...

Giant French Holdfasts from the 18th Century | Popular Woodworking Magazine

Regards from Perth

Derek

Looks like he is following in the footsteps of Scott Landis and Rob Tarule (though he hasn't credited them) who have documented (with pictures) and made these same holdfasts some time ago (12 or more years ago?), actually his words are almost the same which might indicate he stumbled in the same way, maybe he should have read Scott Landis book for a short cut

i think Rob Tarules look more rustic and how i imagine the originals probably looked, his arnt perfectly round either more octagonal but i dont think that matters either way, although the rustic edges might give more grip. sounds like CS had trouble making the bench top holes the right size-trying to get it just right but interesting in the origianal pics of the Roubo bench the hole is somewhat larger than the holdfast, when it sets it ends up seating on an angle, the pic of the cutaway shows it on angle in the hole too..Rob Tarule's holes are larger and sets on an angle, Scott Landis says they set under their own weight


chippy

I'm still waiting on replies from potential manufacturers, I'll post when I've got a reliable and viable product.

The shank on those Schwarz holdfasts is as long as the whole piece (450mm) in WoodWould's drawing.
I think.......
Anyway, is 235mm or 9.29" enough for the bit that sits in the bench?

signed
Anxious in Aotearoa

Originally Posted by Ian Wells

I'm still waiting on replies from potential manufacturers, I'll post when I've got a reliable and viable product.

I think there is a blacksmith down here in Hackham, have you spoken to them, or would u like me to show him the drawings?

Originally Posted by seanz

The shank on those Schwarz holdfasts is as long as the whole piece (450mm) in WoodWould's drawing.
I think.......
Anyway, is 235mm or 9.29" enough for the bit that sits in the bench?

signed
Anxious in Aotearoa

the Roubo plans seem to say they are generally 450mm-500mm or even as much as 600mm in total length, the curved bit (that stays above the bench) is about 150mm high, so on the smaller (450mm) length that would leave you with about 300mm into the bench, assuming you holding down very thin stock..but it really doesnt matter how long or short you make them (Rob Tarule made shorter ones to use on the front of his bench), it depends on the size (thickness) of the bench plus the stock you want to hold, if your always working with thin stock then they can be much shorter, at 450mm long, assuming you had a bench 100mm thick you could clamp material up to around 200mm thick..Roubos bench design that used these particular holdfasts though were usually 5''-6'' thick so if using the 450mm long clamp they would hold about 150mm thick stock (or 200mm stock in a 100mm thick bench)...the longer 600mm long holdfasts obviously holds thicker pieces...for comparison the Gramacy holdfasts are about 280mm long and the curve thats sits above the bench is about 80mm, naturally they seem to be designed to hold work about 100mm thick in a 4" thick workbench

chippy

I had 6 made by the blacksmith on the weekend for $80. At the steam and wood festival at Wandin. They work fine.

Originally Posted by Pagie

I had 6 made by the blacksmith on the weekend for $80. At the steam and wood festival at Wandin. They work fine.

Well gissalook then Pagie!