Diy bench dogs step 1.
Square wood bench dogs. We recommend round dogs for retrofits these dogs have 5 8 3 4 shanks are 6 3 4 long and have solid brass faces to avoid damage to edge tools. Because the mortises are angled slightly toward the vise retrofitting rectangular dogs can be a complex process. The flattened edge is slightly beveled which increases the grip on the lumber. Kevin likes dogs with round shanks for their versatility.
Square dogs can be raised high above the bench surface for more versatile workholding. Bundle taytools 468631 pack of 4 each 3 4 x 2 1 4 inches bench dogs hold downs for workbenches anodized aluminum side springs 4 8 out of 5 stars 26 17 99 17. Using the pencil. Cut dowel to length.
Used in combination with the dog on the vice one dog will hold a piece of lumber in place for sanding planing etc. The dowels will need to be cut down to size to make useful bench dogs. Wooden dogs have no exposed metal to bang into plane bodies or cutting edges. There s no standard size for bench dogs but i ve found that 3 4 or 1 to be the most common size.
The mortises for them are usually let into a bench during construction. The ends of the plugs and bench dog need to be cut at a 5 degree angle since the holes slope forward in the bench by that amount. 99 of my between dog clamping has always been with parallel ended workpieces. If i m preparing rough timber by hand then the ends are usually somewhat out of square from where i ve quickly cut the boards by hand without marking.
Wood project designers builders kevin boyle and john olson differ in their preferences for dogs that require round or square bench holes. Square dogs usually reside in dog holes angled towards the rear vise to provide the slight angle required to keep work on the bench. I think they are superior to square bench dogs because it is much easier to drill a hole than to chisel out a square one. This means that they are useful in only one direction.
A square dog s face is set square to the bench top which will suit most situations when making furniture but in practice i often rely on my dogs rotating to be able to hold work securely. Square dogs are always parallel to each other. You ll find a tremendous variety of dogs and other bench accessories such as hold downs that fit into 3 4 round holes he says. How long your dogs.