What are bench dogs and dog holes?
Bench dogs allow you to work with a vise when you need it, one that breaks down and can be stored when not in use. If you don’t have a vise, it could be more cost-effective for your space to invest in bench dogs and dog holes.
Should you have dog holes in your Workbench?
Dog holes are an easily-accessible and simple solution to retaining a piece of work without changing the workbench or workshop. Want to know more about how to use dog holes, if you should have them, or how to add them to your bench? Keep reading! We’ll discuss all the particulars and help you decide if dog holes are for you.
What is the front edge of a woodworker’s Bench?
The front edge of a woodworker’s bench is usually lined with square holes positioned at regular intervals. These holes hold bench dogs and holdfast clamps in place for securing work pieces.
Why do wooden boards have dog holes in them?
Other versions of wooden or plastic dogs are often square. The reason there are multiple dog holes is so that varying length boards can be secured by selecting the right set of holes. Pure speculation on my part, but they could be called "dogs" because they resemble a prairie dog popping out of its hole.
What are the peg holes for on a woodworking bench?
The holes in a workbench skirt are usually used for pegs. They're used to prop one end of a long board up while the other end is clamped in a vise or held to the face of the bench with a clamp or holdfast.
Where do holes go in a workbench?
4:1111:39Where to Place Your Workbench Dog Holes - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFour or five of them depending on how long your bench is 12 inches apart along that front edge IMoreFour or five of them depending on how long your bench is 12 inches apart along that front edge I would recommend coming in about 24 inches from one edge and putting a dog hole.
How do you use a workbench with holes?
0:074:49Woodcraft 101: Workbench Dog Holes - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou could easily use MDF for this but I wanted to be able to keep this and use it down the road. SoMoreYou could easily use MDF for this but I wanted to be able to keep this and use it down the road. So these holes are 7/8 holes for inches on Center.
How do dog holes work bench?
4:0710:20How To Drill Bench Dog Holes - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo now tighten that up that activates the cam inside the door hole so it doesn't spin. Okay snugMoreSo now tighten that up that activates the cam inside the door hole so it doesn't spin. Okay snug that up then you just take this push. It right against AO or what I can take an extra piece of scrap.
Why do picnic tables have holes?
Some of the high-end tables produced today are a far cry from the old, rusty, broken down tables you might have seen in the past. Metal picnic tables with expanded or perforated surfaces are perfect for keeping maintenance easy and preventing graffiti.
What is dog hole?
Definition of doghole 1 : a place fit only for dogs. 2 : a mean miserable abode. 3 : a small opening (as in a mine)
Why do workshop tables have holes?
Dog holes are used to secure what are called “bench dogs,” often made of medium-hard woods such as mahogany, cherry, and/or walnut. The wood used to create a bench dog must strong enough to hold your work, but still pliable so as not to damage the wood you're working with.
What is a dog top woodworking?
On woodworking vices, the dog is an adjustable piece of metal fitted into the front of the sliding jaw. The dog can be moved up and down within the vice, and then locked into place at the best working position using a thumbscrew.
Why are they called bench dogs?
Technically, a simple peg installed in a dog hole in the top of a bench is a basic form of bench dog, though those dogs which clamp an item fast to the bench rather than merely sandwich it between itself and a dog on a vise, known as holdfasts, are most common.
How thick should a woodworking bench top be?
The thickness of your bench top needs to be about 75mm. That's 3” in imperial. I would say that the bench top needs to be a minimum of 63mm or 2 ½” thick if you have stock already or that's a size you can find.
What do you use bench dogs for?
Bench dogs are a work bench accessory used to clamp work down to the table, or used as a stop when planing or sanding a piece. They can also be used as standoffs to keep work elevated off your workbench. Bench dogs fit snugly into openings drilled into the workbench and can be square or round.
How far apart are bench dog holes?
Get your layout tools together and take time to thing about where you want your holes to be along the bench. I chose a spacing of 8 inches between holes because the holdfasts i had with the shortest reach were 4 inches so i knew that my other holdfast would reach at that distance.
How far apart should dog holes be on a workbench?
Get your layout tools together and take time to thing about where you want your holes to be along the bench. I chose a spacing of 8 inches between holes because the holdfasts i had with the shortest reach were 4 inches so i knew that my other holdfast would reach at that distance.
Where do you put the holdfast hole?
The first hole to lay out is the one at the back left. It is 4” from the back edge of the bench and about 8” from the left end of the workbench. This hole is positioned so that the tip of the holdfast reaches to the right so that it is just in front of your planing stop.
How deep should bench dog holes be?
Step 1: Materials. There's no standard size for bench dogs, but I've found that 3/4" or 1" to be the most common size for round dogs. I had drilled 3/4" openings in my workbench, so that's the size of dowel I'll need.
How far apart should dog holes be?
From the scale of the pictures, it sort of looks like the first line of holes is spaced about 3-4″ in from the edge (and then a second row another 6-8″ beyond that), with a between-hole spacing of about 6″.
Why Do Woodworking Benches Have Holes?
They exist for the purpose of holding bench dogs or clamps that serve the valuable service of holding a workpiece in place . The number of dog holes varies by the bench.
Why do workbench work holes have dog holes?
The dog holes in a workbench allow you to clamp workpieces into place. Simply applying extra pressure by hand is not enough to keep workpieces in place. There are a lot of scenarios in which even the slightest accidental nudge will cause you to cut too deeply into the piece.
How Can I Make My Own Dog-Holes In My Workbench?
Making your own woodworking bench can be a rewarding experience. It allows you to customize your workbench in a way that best suits your uses. Here I will cover the methods used to make a dog hole strip on your workbench. You may even consider using these methods to further customize a woodworking bench that already has a dog hole strip on it.
What is bench dog?
Bench dogs allow you to secure workpieces in the center of the table. You will not be limited to clamping your workpieces along a vise located at the edge of the table.
What is a dog hole?
Dog holes are for more than just holding bench dogs. You can further secure your workpiece by placing some variety of a holdfast in the dog hole. Holdfasts include any kind of tool, such as a clamp or vise, that will hold your workpiece against the table with much more security than a hand or elbow.
Can bench dogs be used on a vise?
If you are only using a vise, then you will only be able to clamp a large workpiece down at its outer edge.
Can you add dog holes to a woodworking bench?
You can easily add dog holes to your woodworking bench via the use of hand tools that you may already have on hand in your workshop. In the case that you do not have any of these tools on hand, I have provided links to a page where you can find affordable options.
Why are old benches lower?
But another factor is leverage: When tools are powered by human muscles alone, leverage and gravity are invaluable allies to be enlisted. A lower work surface allows for more pressure from above.
What Is a Woodworking Bench?
In ancient times, the woodworker’s bench consisted of a plank or split log with four splayed legs. Descendants of those benches are manufactured today, usually with a top of hardwood slabs glued together. The norm nowadays is four straight legs supporting the bulk above, often with braces and a shelf below. Despite the improvements, the linkage to Greek and Roman antecedents is still evident.
How deep should a bench be for toes?
If you opt for a bench with drawers or cabinets built into its base, don’t forget the toe spaces: Leave a space roughly three inches deep and four inches wide at floor level for your toes, just like kitchen cabinets. The absence of a toe space means you’ll be forever kicking the face or sides of the cabinets which is irksome and, with tools in hand, potentially dangerous. And you’ll have to lean over farther to reach the back of the benchtop.
How tall should a bench be?
In practice, this generally means in the range of thirty-three to thirty-six inches. Be sure to remember the surprising range of benchtop accessories, some of which can help make your bench more useful.
What accessories are needed for a bench?
Be sure to remember the surprising range of benchtop accessories, some of which can help make your bench more useful. Jigs and dogs and stops and clamps, among other elements, are essential to most benches, as are vises.
How long is a work bench?
Otherwise, workbenches tend to be as varied as the uses to which they are put. I’ve seen antique cabinetmakers’ benches that are sixteen and seventeen feet long, more than three feet wide, and supported by a dozen drawers and doors—and that weigh as much as a felled oak tree.
What makes a bench a good bench?
If there’s one constant in benches of today and of yore, it’s their very diversity. A good bench is a bench that suits its user’s needs, that helps the worker accomplish his or her tasks faster, better, or with a higher degree of safety. Which means, in short, there is no one model that suits everybody.
What degree should a hole be in a wood bench?
You are correct, the hole should be out of square (plumb) with the top 2 or 3 degrees towards the vice. I have always done this with a forstner or multi spur bit in a block of hardwood that is clamped to the bench. I imagine a router would work if you made a base that is not parallel across the diameter.Some what like a wedge type of base.
How to drill a 15 mm hole?
Drill a 15 mm hole with a spade bit. Then open it up to 19mm with a router bit. You will need to mark out your router position before you drill the first hole
What are the holes in a woodworking bench called?
The holes on a woodworking bench are called “dog holes .” While different woodworkers have varying preferences about how big they should be and how far apart they are spaced, these holes work in concert with wood, metal, or plastic “bench dogs” to help woodworkers securely clamp pieces to the workbench when performing tasks such as sanding, cutting, and planing.
What are the features of a woodworking bench?
Features. Many benches are not only equipped with vises, clamps, and dog holes —which some woodworkers consider essential—but extra bells and whistles like power strips, pegboards, and even lighting. Some also have built-in storage, and when you keep items inside your bench, their weight provides added stability.
How high should a woodworking bench be?
The average height of a woodworking bench is between 33 to 36 inches. Be sure to adjust accordingly based on your own height and work postures. A woodworking bench that is too high or low can lead to aches and pains.
How much does a Craftsman bench weigh?
This sleek-looking red bench from Craftsman weighs a solid 95 pounds and strikes the right balance of being attractive, sturdy, and fairly affordable. It measures six feet wide and 41.25 inches high, and the tabletop height is not adjustable. Although it doesn't come with storage, you can opt to add two of Craftsman's matching rolling cabinets underneath. The top is made from a one-inch–thick butcher block, and there's a backsplash to help contain sawdust and prevent tools from sliding off. The weight capacity is 1,450 pounds, so it's perfect for basic hobby projects, and there are leveling feet at the bottom that you can adjust if your flooring is uneven, which can happen in garages and sheds .
How big is a vise bench?
A shelf at the bottom provides plenty of storage, too. It measures 61 inches long by 25 inches wide, which gives you a generously sized work area, and at 97 pounds, it's solid enough that it won't wobble.
How tall is a workbench?
The height on this ADA-compliant option adjusts from 27.5 to 40.8 inches and comes with either white or granite legs made from welded steel. It measures six feet across and has a maximum weight capacity of 3,000 pounds. The top is made from hardwood that measures nearly two inches thick, and the wood has been treated with a sealant to help protect it from chemical stains. It also has leveling legs at the bottom that allow it to be adjusted up to 1.25 inches, so you won't have to worry about wobbles.
How big is a butcher block tabletop?
This bench is on the smaller side, it can handle projects both small and large. With a 1.25-inch–thick butcher block tabletop measuring 40 x 14 inches, there's plenty of room to add extras such as a wood lathe, scroll saw, or sander. The bench itself weighs only 41 pounds, so it's easy to move around your workspace, and the maximum capacity is 700 pounds. But don't let the low weight fool you: The A-frame profile has flared legs and arched cross braces that provide serious stability, and the rubber feet can be adjusted to match an uneven surface.
Why are there multiple dog holes?
The reason there are multiple dog holes is so that varying length boards can be secured by selecting the right set of holes. Pure speculation on my part, but they could be called "dogs" because they resemble a prairie dog popping out of its hole.
What is bench dog?
Bench dogs allow you to clamp a long workpiece that wouldn't normally fit in the jaws of the bench vise. There's a set of dogs that attach to the vise, and a set that attach on the table, essentially making one really big vise. One application would be holding down a board for hand planing. (Image courtesy of Wikipedia)
What is a holdfast bench?
A holdfast uses the thickness of the bench to hold down a piece of wood with no additional clamps. You can also get a product called Wonder Dogs that let you apply pressure at odd angles. These combine with your bench to allow clamping work pieces of many shapes. Share. Improve this answer.
