The holes are arranged in a line perpendicular to the vise perhaps three or four inches apart but certainly no further apart than the fully open distance between the vise s jaws.
Bench dog hole location. I ve found very few instances of needed to counterbore the underside of a bench for holdfasts and i ve tested a variety of holdfasts in benches from 2 to 6 inches thick. Now clamp the 2 4 on edge to your benchtop and use the plumb holes as an oversized doweling jig to guide your auger bit. For symmetry s sake i added the second row of holes to the two tail vises. At its most basic a bench dog is simply a peg which is installed in a corresponding dog hole in the top of a bench.
Ok so not so cool but that is the reality of the matter. And i m using cabinet makers vises so the dog hole in the vise chop is already off set from the main screw. Also as my bench proves where sometimes i don t need them. Mark the location for the entrance and exit hole on the 2 4.
The next hole to be drilled is easily determined by simply using the second hole in the jig. Bench dogs fit snugly into openings drilled into the workbench and can be square or round. Then bore out the hole with a 3 4 brad point bit. If your entrance and exit holes both hit the mark the hole is plumb.
Determine what the measurement will be between bench dog holes then drill a second hole in the jig equal to this distance. A couple of years ago. These second inner rows of dog holes are also ideally located for using the veritas hold downs. To drill each hole align the jig s centerline with its dog hole layout line and clamp the jig to the bench with a backup board underneath.
How to make a jig to aid in accurately drilling repeatable workbench dog holes in a benchtop for tools like holdfasts and wonder pups. Also discussed is selecting the right type of drill bit. Drill through the 2 4. I was pretty picky at the beginning even built a guide for the holes but now i just pickup the drill electric so sue me put a 3 4 bit in it and add the new dog hole wherever i need it.
Your guide to workbench dog hole placement. Join my mailing list. Use a square to lay out the dog hole locations on the bench spacing them 6 apart starting from the end of the bench. After the first hole is drilled place a dowel in the jig and position the dowel into hole just drilled.