Don't Make a Bench Dog Until You've Seen This!

made a few new bench dogs, they seem like a good idea and were quick and easy to make!
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[@FranksWorkbench]

Kinda neat, but we'll see what happens when the rubber hits the road! What do you think?

[@stankolodin5586]

Love the vid! What epoxy do you use?

[@darodes]

Update video soon?

[@dennisd5776]

Probable a little late but: I would make the top a 4in square, then put fixing it off center on both axis. This will give you 4 different lengths for each dog.

[@ModelLights]

Yes this was the first thought on seeing the 2 distances, 4 would be better. With 4 inch center dog holes, you could make some with 1, 2, 3, and 4 inches from center. Pick the hole and the side, and you would never have to adjust the tail vise more than one inch.

[@TestSpaceMonkey]

Agreed. I've also done this 4-position trick with a home-made marking gauge to give an adjustable bearing surface depth. Extra stability is always nice but sometimes the reference edge just doesn't have clearance in some direction. Like Frank did here, the trick is to leave flats on the marking arm dowel so it can be indexed to each side when pushing down the taper pin lock.

[@colmmagill4097]

I love all these videos. I'm a carpenter of 45 plus years and I've never seen tools so clean let alone a bench without any sort of damage to it. I am very careful with all my tools but they do show their age like my bench as well

[@canobenitez]

true. I made one for myself, 2 months in and there already chips and all sorts of damage (minimal but still)

[@RobWhittlestone]

Frank, what a nice set of hand tool skills you have! This was a delight to watch! A real contrast to most workshop KZbin videos which seem to show every power tool in existence - this was an elegant result without hearing one motor! And those hand tool skills are what I learned in school over 55 years ago. All the best, English Rob in Switzerland

[@davidwhiteley3879]

You didn't hear the drill motor?

[@thorlo1278]

Frank, one of the main reasons I subscribed to your channel is because of the straight to the point attitude you have. This video is number one case in point. Of course it doesn't hurt that the video was very well made. Also, since I can't do a whole lot in my shop, I have cancer, I watch a lot of programs like yours.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thank you, sir, I appreciate your kind words!

[@TechieTard]

I hope your fight is going well!

[@dalecharpentier3260]

Very impressed with the user & performance of the tools. I would suggest drilling a hole through the top piece of the "dog" to attach a dowel the size of the bench holes.

[@johnflux1]

Huh, yeah that would make a lot more sense.

[@timrothgeb416]

I use wedges for my clamping between dogs. Make a couple different widths of wedges and you can clamp almost anything and it only takes a few minutes to make them.

[@marshallmurrell4583]

I cut squares from various thicknesses of plywood, then drilled a center hole all the way through using a forstner bit and drill press, then glued in a 3/4" dowel to fit the dog holes in my bench. I like your idea of making rectangles instead of squares. I will make some more using rectangles. I don't have an tail vise due to space constraints, but do have a Veritas bench dog to serve the same purpose.

[@keithgarcia5271]

Embedding the dog directly into the "head" with a 3/4" hole is a no brainer IMO. Faster, easier, stronger, fewer materials, less processing etc, even if you kerf and wedge it. You can also offset the hole in a rectangle block so that the 4 corners are, respectively 1, 2, 3, and 4" off center, or some other set.

[@johnduffy6546]

LOVE the sound of sharp tools!

[@idgaf188]

Hey Frank, they look pretty good. They're simple to make and functional. But more importantly, it seems like you had a good time making them, and that's what it's all about. 👍👍👍

[@MCsCreations]

Brilliant work, Frank! Well done! 😃 Another idea would be to make a hole in the head big enough to the dog fit in. And you could even use a wedge to better fix them together. Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@FranksWorkbench]

great idea!

[@philaandrew100]

Yep. That's how I have made my Bench Dogs for years. Another handy variation is plane stops, just use two dowels and job's a goodun. Really well presented method, Frank. Love your no nonsense approach.

[@FranksWorkbench]

thanks man!

[@jerrystark3587]

I made a set of similar bench dogs out of scrap cherry. I drilled a hole through the head of the dog and ran the entire dowel through it, flush with the top. This was simple and strong. There may be a hundred ways to do this well, but this worked for me. Interesting video. Thanks!

[@charliechapman9088]

That's great. I like the way you just use hand tools. Not every expensive power tool in your workshop

[@cedarberryclanblackberryac6447]

I'm contemplating a tail vise, good dogs will be a must!

[@hydrochloridrix]

I like them and am planning to make some. Also a planing stop in the same style but with 2 dogs. However, I gotta say, what I really love about my more traditional dogs is that I can just pop them up or down just as I need them. Plus, the dog holes are always filled which looks nice and nothing falls through them, so there’s that.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Good point! I still like the standard ones too I'll probably still use both

[@nickg8382]

Love the dog idea. It was great to see you use such a wide variety of work holding for your build. Really good stuff!

[@johnpoe8887]

If you start out with dowel that is one size over what you want, the dowel plate does make perfect dowels, I cut it one size over, use a round over bit to make it almost round, run it thru bigger holes and finally thru the size you want, perfect round dowel

[@Musicpins]

This is nice, litterally solves many issues the "plain" dogs have, I will consider this I decide to add a wagon vice, for now - my planing stop+couple of hold fast works for most I do.

[@whittysworkshop982]

Im glad ya added the scrap trick shot at the end........ didnt feel right without it 🤣

[@FranksWorkbench]

Hahaha 🤣

[@williamarrowsmiith8380]

This was brilliant on so many levels!

[@MartinMMeiss-mj6li]

Nice job. I hope they are strong enough. If you make the post off center under the head, you have even more adjustment of the gap width depending on which lengthwise orientation you use when placing the dog.

[@TimEngle]

If you ever need it round, use a spindle shaper. Back in the 70’s, an old timer loaned me his. It worked great!

[@moonlightsnowfall6734]

Nice work. I just made a similar one, but I drilled a hole in the head to match the dog diameter, and planed it flush when the glue dried. Turning it s genius, thanks.

[@TWC6724]

Stellar. Going to have to keep this in mind. I’m in the process of building another bench in the Moravian style and I think I’ll make these.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Good luck with the new bench, always liked those style benches!

[@dan__________________]

Cool. I was hesitant about installing a wagon vise but with this trick I think I will.

[@markkoons7488]

Well done! Plus, it is refreshing to see hand tools accomplish their tasks with a couple of licks.

[@jimfromri]

Great way to make work holding more efficient. I really like your approach of just getting it done-for example by quickly making octagons instead of searching for the perfect dowel or firing up the lathe. Another very well done video. Thanks for sharing.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thanks Jim!

[@sk13ppy]

Very clever! I'm sure it works perfectly too. Thanks.

[@doraexplora9046]

I am so jealous. Your tools are razor sharp. They must be a pleasure to work with.

[@gregpreston7301]

Nice job and a good idea but I can't help wondering why you would just drill a hole in the plate to accept the larger dowel rather than add a second (dowel) process? Maybe it's just me but that seems simpler.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Yes a solid option!

[@kingbamafan]

And stronger.

[@davidnoirot4255]

That is exactly how i made mine.

[@stevenwiedel3122]

He wanted to show off, I mean show us, his dowel plate.. which, admittedly, is pretty cool.

[@michaelhenderson4706]

It's an inlay ;>

[@jimbo2629]

I have some sash clamps. The holes are spaced to match the travel of the screw. I made my end vice to match the hole spacing. Having eccentric dogs is a great idea. As are wooden spacers. Do the maths before drilling the holes. Inspirational video, crystal clear.

[@mcardlepm]

Great video, but the problem I have with the design is when in use, all the strain is on that thin reinforcing dowel (aside from the glue of course). I'd inset the big dowel (or run straight through) the dog. With that, probably better to use a real round dowel. Much stronger.

[@malcolmsmith5903]

Nice job. I made them similar when I had to use a Black n Decker Workmate to build a new bench after house move. But like others I drilled the head through to receive the dog. Same for my plane stops. I also used a similar application in making supports for long pieces in the vice. Long dog protrudes both sides of the head; one end in the leg and other supports the board. I suppose you could offset the dog in the 'head' so each orientation offers a different distance but tbh just easier to pump out different size heads. Aside...I use this dog and planing stop style as tool when planting seeds in trays/cells to tamp/firm things down ;)

[@Arariel3]

I seriously enjoyed watching you do this. Very relaxing. The idea of making that dog head a rectangle so it would have that flexibility was brilliant. I do have one question though. Why drill and pin the dog head to the dog rather than drill a dog-sized hole through the head and glue the entire thickness of the dog through the head?

[@dufftime]

Thanks Frank. I'm going out to the shop to make a few of these.

[@worldclassish]

That can work on my bench as well as some of those other tools I keep putting off making. Nice work man

[@GNU_Linux_for_good]

_I think these bench dogs are pretty darn good_

[@cerberus2881]

Yep, that makes good sense!

[@joelhollingsworth2374]

These look great; the shooting board method of undercutting looks so practical, and makes me wonder whether a 7 degree or so board might be worth building, for splayed legs and dovetails and such. I've also seen similar dogs that are square but have the shaft off center by a different amount in both directions, to give four options per dog. A related work holding idea I've seen that's basically the ultimate extension of this general concept is to build a cam-shaped dog head, to replace the wagon vise entirely.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Interesting ideas, thank you!

[@chrisgriffith1573]

I think I'd have made that with a hole in the "head" to put the dowel thru, then wedge a shim into it for good measure. Much stronger.

[@bobdriggers6111]

There is a you tuber named Young Je who made similar dogs but, he offset the shaft to give it 4 length options. He uses them on his bench that incorporates wedge vices.......I plan on using the same style if, and when I find time to build it. I have a idea/plan for a leg vice using wedges as well! With your permission I'll post the link to Je's bench.

[@RobSchweitzer]

This is a great idea! I have dog holes drilled 4" OC and sometimes I wish they were a little closer (I have a Veritas twin screw vise for the end vise, not an inset vise like yours or a wagon vise common with Roubo builds). I think I'm going to have to build myself some of these to make the in-between lengths easier to clamp up!

[@FranksWorkbench]

Nice! Hope they work well for u!

[@donwilliams3626]

You hit one out of the park with this one! Thanks for sharing. Now I'm headed to the shop to make a pair for my bench.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Right on!

[@briangordon1036]

I'm headed to the shop to see if I can wack a piece of wood into my waste bin with a mallet

[@terryt2910]

Nice work! I've been making mine similarly, but yours are a lot nicer. I especially like this style of dog heads because they are less likely to mark or dent the wood. I have some that are fairly long and of softer woods for that purpose.

[@pmdinaz]

Great idea. Clever time saver.

[@ralphconnell8163]

Watching your vids makes me want to ditch my mechanical planes and saws....and use the hand tools you're using. So well honed. Great to watch and learn thanks.

[@FranksWorkbench]

thank you! the learning curve is worth it!

[@ivanalfonsocorderogutierre7498]

Thanks!

[@palanivelu2635]

Awesome ❤️👍 work mr Frank , I just love watching u working, Iam amateur, passion worker, my grandfather temple chariot. Wood Carver, and carpenter iam only multimedia artists ( animation) poses , love wood crafts planning to focus on toys , little more just learning in this pandemic also teach in school higher secondary , don't laugh iam 50 now and ocean swimmer, this to is passion , hope learning from you

[@bigredracingdog466]

The only thing I'd do differently would be to drill a hole in the stop the diameter of the dog hole and glue the post directly into that. That seems like to would be stronger than that little dowel.

[@williamfotiou7577]

Head of the dog sounds good! I'm just enjoying the hair of the dog that bit me.😂 Your work is phenomenal, no kidding, I was just trying to make some bench dogs an got frustrated, long story. You gave me new hope! 🍸cheers! You're a Picasso with a plane!

[@bighands69]

You can make them any size you want to so as to off set from the dog holes.

[@simonmills2375]

Cool idea, gonna be using that. Thanks

[@nigelmtb]

Awesome, that's my next project! Nice work.

[@Pootycat8359]

1:23 Yeah, it's called a "wood lathe." :)

[@rollingstone3017]

Love that they are made out of wood! Everything is better with wood. I have brass dogs, and even though they don't hurt my blades, I still cringe when metal hits metal. Ugh.

[@worstworkshop]

I love this design!

[@drsbrettsavage]

Hand tools...brilliant!

[@kevinsullivan8962]

I love the finger depth guesser!!! LOL 😆

[@FranksWorkbench]

:)

[@Postfrogish]

The more I see that end vise of yours the closer I get to pulling the trigger. My bench is viseless so far though (made myself af nicholson/roubo mix). I think that when I finally cop out and get a vise, I'll know for sure what kind my work demands.

[@ocuanadesigns]

This is a great idea. I'm definitely going to try it for my own bench

[@MrDaneBrammage]

Irrelevant question about sawing: At 0:59 you have the workpiece diagonally in the vise with the off-cut to your right, so you have to saw diagonally and reach your left hand across the right to catch the off-cut. I've always had my vise mounted at the extreme left side of the bench so I can clamp the workpiece horizontally, sticking out past the end of the bench. That way I can saw straight up and down and catch the off-cut without crossing one hand over the other. Your way looks harder, but I see guys doing this all the time so there's probably some good reason for it that I don't understand. Not really important, but I'm planning a new bench and wondering if there's a good reason to set it up differently.

[@FranksWorkbench]

ppl do successfully both ways, I have a strong preference for not mounting the vise on the far left so that I've got 180 degrees of bench space available to use. Far left mounting and you cut your reachable workstation in half while dovetailing or working in the vise. That said there's far better woodworkers than me who do it the other way!

[@jgo5707]

Really neat and simple idea! Good skill building project too for us beginners!

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thanks man!

[@ryangrimm9305]

I would make a bored hole in the stop, just short of going through. The round tenon of the dog-hole pin would bottom out in it, and would not need to depend on a rather thin dowel to resist clamping pressures. My $0.02...

[@saucetguitars]

Very cool. I’m thinking of building a new workbench later this year, that tail vise with dogs look really convenient so I may just copy your design!

[@johngillespie7480]

Hi I am wondering what the threaded item you use to push the workpiece against the dog is and where I could get one.

[@Richard-dh8ny]

Simple but effective bench dogs. Can you include a link to your bench dog clamp? I like that it's built into the workbench.

[@jnyne3303]

“The finger method depth guesser” haha my kinda guy!

[@nickmastro9287]

Great idea! Thanks for the video.

[@wagsman9999]

Great idea! Thanks.

[@majinkakashi20]

Awesome

[@unionse7en]

steel dowel pin, i'd break those small wooden dowel pins. or bore through the head to accept the full peg diameter.

[@EatYourYoung666]

Dude! So sick! Im definitely going to try this out. It also got me thinking. I have one of those plastic Stanley miter boxes from Home Depot, and the pegs for the board are oval-shaped so you can twist them to press up against the board. I don't have a tail vice and every time I try to make that Veritas bench dog with the block and screw I blow out the hole with the threaded wood nut.

[@HWCism]

Pretty slick, thanks

[@diegock1272]

Well done!

[@lincolndickerson1293]

Thanks, such a practical idea. Love to see innovation like this.

[@FranksWorkbench]

Thanks!

[@thorzweegers7616]

Why center the dog on the dog's head? You could make a different spacing for every 90 degree turn

[@stuartstrachan3810]

Nice job.

[@elwood212]

Very logical cheers Frank.👍

[@donepearce]

I think I would have put a full size hole through the end piece and put the vertical right through it.

[@davidfriedman3962]

Could you please provide details on the “tail” vise you show in this demonstration. And do you have a suggestion on the make of wood vise also shown. I want to improve my home made bench with these ideas. And then make bench dogs like yours. Thank you very much. Davi

[@brianstevens3858]

I mounted clamps on a lot of my bench dogs, no regrets.

[@derRoteKampfflieger]

Great vid. Who make the vice? I've never seen one and that could be JUST the solution I'm currently looking for.

[@ianpearse4480]

Nice. Have you thought about making the top of the dog a camb?

[@johnford7847]

Clever - but why not bring the "octagonal dowel" up through the "bench dog head" and wedge it, like a tenon? Seems at least as easy as doweling the head onto the large dowel. Good idea, good video. Thanks for sharing.

[@TootEmCarMan]

If you had fitted the shaft off center toward one of the longer ends by 5mm or so you would have 3 positions rather than 2. :)

[@johnblagden5625]

Clever idea, but can I suggest you get yourself a cheap band saw, because a very large proportion of the video was you hand-sawing or planing strips of wood to size.

[@johnduffy6546]

That looks handier than sleeves in a vest

[@mxs4193]

i think if you glued the dowel off-center then you'd have 4 different "settings" with the stop block being a different length on each side instead of just the two sides

[@HWCism]

Nice job. Thanks

[@jack002tuber]

Put the dowel offset to one side, now you have three different options

[@rickcathysmith8449]

Hi Frank A quick question for you What glue are you using on the bench dogs Thanks Rick

[@watermain48]

Great video, thanks. I enjoyed watching and subscribed.

[@IantheWoodcraftsman]

Frank, great work as usual, but why didn't you just drill a hole to suit the "leg"? You could wedge it if you wanted to do so, too,

[@MattKyleBullerthemattkylefiles]

But how do I space out the holes so evenly?

[@carlogle6207]

Perfect!

[@mitjamaleta]

Very nice...thanks!

[@rjamsbury1]

fix the head off centre and you'll get more options of positioning

[@thegoldend6]

I have made a couple of bench dogs like that, but drilled through the head to push the 19mm dowel all the way through. My thinking is that it makes it stronger. However, I'd be interested to hear what you think. Also, I call CGI bullshit on that bin shot ...

[@FranksWorkbench]

I agree, thats a good method.. Just requires a little more careful drilling to make sure the hole is perpendicular to the dog's head so it doesnt sit cockeyed on the bench. As for the shot :) LOL

[@Monsieur-Estrada]

What's the model-brand of the vise to secure the wood piece at 6:26? thanks