Benchdog Holes

[PastorPaul]

It looks like I'm going to get a GOOD deal on a used woodworking vise tomorrow. $50 for one that is supposed to be bigger and better than a Jorgensen. That's assuming I can find the shekels to pay for it (Lots of books ready to ship out, but the checks haven't arrived.).

When I rework my bench top, I plan to put in holes for some bench dogs. I know that the diameter is determined by the diameter of the dogs I buy, but I am wondering about the spacing. Is that dependent on the opening reach of the vise, or should I just go with something like every 4 or 6 inches? The last time I saw a bench with dog holes was high school woodshop, and that was in my junior year 36 years ago.

Pastor Paul
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"If they don't have woodworking in heaven, I ain't going!!!"

[michael perata]

Ifyou plan on using the dog on the movable face of the vise, then the spacing of the dog holes should be less than the vise can open.

Or, you could just space them 6" o.c. like I did.

[TDHofstetter]

Seconds on that - all of it. :)

-- Tim --

Don't walk in front of me, I will not follow.
Don't walk behind me, I will not lead.
Walk beside me, and be my friend.

[PastorPaul]

Seconds?? I haven't even had my first helping! :P

A second question: How far from the vise should the dog holes begin? The same distance as the spacing?

Pastor Paul
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"If they don't have woodworking in heaven, I ain't going!!!"

[michael perata]

Less than twice the distance the vise opens, or 6", whatever you fell comfortable with.

[PastorPaul]

Thanks! Sound like the spacing and the starting hole distance are about the same.

I'm anxious to find the work bench underneath all the clutter and get started on reworking that top. It's a good project for those days when it is cold out, but just warm enough in the shop to work for short periods. Clean a little, go warm up, clean a little, warm up again, pull off the planks, warm up again...

Pastor Paul
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"If they don't have woodworking in heaven, I ain't going!!!"

[PastorPaul]

I just thought of another question on the bench dog holes. How deep should they be?

In HS woodshop class they went all the way through, because the dogs were round steel stock with a short piece of flat steel stock welded on top. There was no way they could fall through.

The dogs I've seen in catalogs (just starting my search) are round, so I assume I have to drill only part way through the top, but that leaves a great sawdust catcher that would be hard to clean out.

So, how's it done, gang?

BTW - I was going to start reworking the bench top today, but -8 to -12 windchills made me think twice about it.

Pastor Paul
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"If they don't have woodworking in heaven, I ain't going!!!"

[michael perata]

Holes go all the way through. The dog has a clip to keep it from falling out.

[PastorPaul]

Thanks for that info. All the way through is sure easier to drill, and a hole (pun intended) lot easier to keep clean.

Do you recommend any particular brand of dog? I haven't had a chance to grab my catalogs and see what's available.

Pastor Paul
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"If they don't have woodworking in heaven, I ain't going!!!"

[michael perata]

Lee-Valley has some very nice bench tools, dogs, hold downs, vices.

I bought a pair of their smaller dogs (B) for $15
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