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19th November 2009, 01:50 PM #1GOLD MEMBER
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Workbench Hold-down Vs Bench dogs
I have built my workbench and now want to add on either a hold-down or bench-dogs. I know I should have thought about it earlier.
As I do a variety of woodwork and general handyman work which would be better.
As I understand it the bench-dogs just stop the workpiece/job from moving horizontally on the bench, usually as a force is applied by the vice on the front. Or are used to stop the workpiece sliding during sanding etc. They can be either metal or wood and have good and bad benefits depending on what you read.
A bench hold-down actually clamps the workpiece with a downwards force independant from the vice. The one in the Carbatec catalogue looks OK, but will check it out on Fri.
I have read through many threads here in this forum but have not found a discussion on the pros or cons between them.
I realise that a combination of both would be ideal. Is there a product that can do both? ie act as a bench-dog and or a hold down.
Or should I go with the hold down and just clamp a piece of wood to act as a bench dog?
Any advice or suggestions greatly appreciated.
Lyle.
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19th November 2009 01:50 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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19th November 2009, 02:53 PM #2
I use both about equally. Dogs can be used independently of either vice, but if both front and tail vice chops are bored to accept dogs, then it makes them so much more versatile.
Round dog holes will accept both hold-downs and (round) dogs and again, make the dogs more adaptable because they can be rotated to accommodate odd-shaped work.
From a purely indolent viewpoint, round dog holes are also simpler to produce..
I know you believe you understand what you think I wrote, but I'm not sure you realize that what you just read is not what I meant.
Regards, Woodwould.
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19th November 2009, 03:17 PM #3
I agree with WW
Round or square doesn't matter, just give me lots of them. With regards to the hold-downs, I like the Gramercy hold downs as they are very simple to use and quick. Although I wouldn't mind a LV or Record style winder, the Gramercy holdfasts and clamps do the job until I can afford one or two of the others.
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20th November 2009, 10:35 AM #4Senior Member
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22nd November 2009, 08:21 PM #5GOLD MEMBER
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As for hold downs, watch out for the cast iron ones that seem to abound on the 'Web - they may last one or two uses, but they WILL break. The Grammercy ones that Groggy refers to are actually forged from steel rod, not cast, and they will last for generations.
The cast ones can usually be detected easily in photos or in person as they all seem to have a seam running up the shaft and into the head from the 2 piece mold used in the foundry. They also sometimes have a thickened head with a square cross section, but some old drop forged hold down also have the same head - the cast ones seem to have been made by using a drop forged hold down as the pattern.
If you can find someone who does 'real' decorative iron work, or a hobby blacksmith, it is relatively easy to have a couple made by hand from 20mm (3/4") mild steel rod - these tools are also used by blacksmiths when working alone to hold hot metal to the anvil for striking.
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22nd November 2009, 09:08 PM #6
Benchdogs, gotta love 'em. I found today that bench dogs are good if you are working on a piece but need to keep moving it after a few eg chisel cuts. The hold-down is great if you are going to be working longer than a few seconds on the edge of a board.
cheers
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23rd November 2009, 08:38 AM #7GOLD MEMBER
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Thanks for the inputs.
I went with both. Got a cheap set of dogs and hold downs from Carbatec. I just couldn't justify the cost of the Veritas etc.
I put two rows of holes behind each vice and a couple of sets of holes equally spaced between the vices. All aligned in a matrix to give the best clamping variety I could think of.
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24th November 2009, 04:16 PM #8
I use the plastic dogs from carbatec and they do a fine job, I also recently purchased a pair of Gramercy hold downs and find them to be usefull for other situations.
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