Where to Place Your Workbench Dog Holes

So many people ask me where to drill hole for their dogs on their new workbench. I'm an advocate for as few holes as possible at first and to add them as needed later. But where to start? Here is my pick for the first 10-12 holes you should drill to give you full holdfast coverage for the entire bench and plenty of other options for workholding too.
To get my Dog Hole Guide PDF, visit my website: www.renaissance...

[@gaco49]

I bought this for my friend for his birthday as we just moved into a new house and he finally has room for a workshop. The bench was very easy to set up kzbin.infoUgkxyFZUPFEey-PuqsPMxqaykBhgA1LWxFHh They center support is a little difficult to snap in and out of place at first but at least then we know the bench is secure. It was a pleasant surprise when we saw it came with clamps. I apparently missed that in the description. My friend loves the versatility of the bench. Great starter bench for his workshop and easily transportable all over our property. I wish the bench was a little taller but the other features of the bench more than make up for that.

[@rcboals]

I just built my very first work bench with a small hardwood top 27" wide and 60" long. Some of the benches I have seen on youtube look like swiss cheese, so confusing. So, not knowing what I am going to do about Dog Holes, I tell my wife about "the whole problem" (pun intended). She says, "I wouldn't drill any holes until I needed them, after I figureout where I need them". Then I stumbled onto your video and the whole hole problem is solved for me. Thank You for taking time to do this video.

[@MrPaulRobbins99]

Given am looking at adding dog holes to my bench this was probably the single clearest video I've seen on the subject. Thanks from the uk.

[@charlieodom9107]

This video makes a hole lot of sense!!! I'll see myself out!

[@davidprevost6171]

Thank you so much. I've been avoiding putting the holes in my bench for the last 5 years because I just didn't where to put them. This just made so so simple. Keep up the great work.

[@jeffmazur8037]

Nicely presented - this is a great strategy that I'm going to apply to my new bench. I'm planning to leave off any vises. I do have a suggestion to add if I may. Your scheme, spacing the holes by the diameter of the holdfast's swing, misses the spots on the table midway along the diagonal between holes. (Envision just four dogholes arranged at the corners of a square with sides equal to twice the reach of a holdfast (the swing diameter) - with your spacing a holdfast won't reach the center of the square from any of the corners.) This can be fixed by shortening the spacing from one diameter to one diameter/1.414 (square root of 2). A few more holes, but full coverage if you want it. Thanks for all you do - I've learned much from you, Shannon!

[@caveman2261]

I've read most articles and watched most videos trying to figure out how I want my dog/holdfast holes and you helped me to decide! Thank you much!

[@x3r0x0ul]

I love that you correctly use the word penultimate.

[@cobberpete1]

Very Informative and logical. I built my bench about three years ago based on the Benchcraft model and just put in 'Holes'. Half I do not use and like you, it does not get used very often. Hay ho. I am not about to build another any time soon, but if and when.. I will remember this lesson. Thanks Shannon.

[@BigfootLives19]

Liked. Subscribed. Saved. Terrific video. Thank you for such a concise, logical approach.

[@blacktoothwoodworking6841]

This has to be the best detailed explanation of the dog holes. I'm in the planning stages of building a Nicholson style bench, and this has helped tremendously in determining where to put the holes. Thank you!

[@RenaissanceWW]

Hey that's great! Since your building a Nicholson I'm sorry I didn't talk about the aprons. But you can use the same radius of reach philosophy for that. And with 6" being about average for holdfasts there will be enough room to alway add another hole in between if you want more options for edge planing.

[@gobblurrito8789]

Great tutorial with well-explained logic.

[@kathleenbasieiwcz4636]

Just built my bench last year and never put dog holes in it. Didn't know where to put them. Now I know. Thanks.

[@jahrap6733]

Well done tutorial, thanks from Australia.

[@FearsomeWarrior]

Great having this information confirmed on video with clear visual.

[@dennisregan9829]

Excellent.

[@RootedInThePastWoodworking]

Shannon, Thanks for this video. You gave me a few new ideas for my new bench I'll be making shortly. Always a pleasure watching your videos.

[@walther9161]

Awesome vid!! Can’t wait to finish my bench

[@larryparker656]

Thanks for this, I'm building a bench and having thinking a lot about placement of dog holes. This really helps.

[@RenaissanceWW]

Great, what kind of bench are you building?

[@larryparker656]

I'm building a simple bench with plywood top (3/4" X3). My space is really limited so I didn't want to put a lot of money in it now. Installing an Eclipse vise on it. It will do until when and if I get a larger space. If I do I will consider The Hand Tool School.

[@RenaissanceWW]

I've got a bunch of students starting out on a plywood workbench. I recommend a single sheet cut into quarters then stacked so you have a nice 3" thick 2x4 top. You can then place that on sawhorses and then put the whole thing on a full sheet of plywood. Screw it all together and you stand on the plywood to save your back (as well as any dropped tools) and your own body weight makes the bench more stable for working.

[@larryparker656]

RenaissanceWW Good idea‼️

[@stevebettany8778]

Thanks for this it's the most informative video I've seen in an age.

[@RenaissanceWW]

LOL I don't know about that, maybe you need to watch more videos. But thanks anyway

[@TeamProsperity]

Very helpful, thanks. I just checked out Gramercy hold fast, two for $38

[@imortaldeadead]

Make percent sense, start with what tools you have for holding your work on the table and go from there 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@BigRaku]

I like your logic. Great guidance, thank you!

[@SJG-96]

Thank you very much for your video. Very informative.

[@user-og4cd4ve4p]

Wonderful info

[@mwrcrft]

My main bench is a Roubo from Benchcraft/Woodwisperer with the standard holdfast layout. I have found the does foot and the Veritas planing stop to be great additions.

[@franciscosignes5372]

Very helpful. Now I know where to drill. Thanks!!!

[@billr2996]

Great information. Thanks for taking the time to explain this to this noob.

[@charlespotter863]

This is great only my bench dogs are a smaller diameter than my hold fasts. My bench came with a tail vice and row of bench dog holes along the front of the bench in line with the vice - so now I need to put in some holes for my hold fasts and I am not sure what to do about the front area but I can definitely put ins some hold fast holes towards the back....

[@RenaissanceWW]

You can always enlarge a few holes for the holdfast in the current line of dog holes. You can then make a dedicated dog or two that fits those holes or just not worry about it since you will have smaller holes nearby and most likely not miss that larger hole. Also depending on the difference in the diameters you may be able to enlarge the hole and still have the dog fit. My dogs for instance have a bullet spring catch on them and work in holes up to 7/8" and down to 3/4".

[@brettgilmer6707]

Good stuff as always Shannon.

[@mattsfinewoodworking2918]

Good video with an excellent view point on dog holes. As most people say the general answer you mentioned. Thanks for the pdf, as that helps translate what you said in your video!

[@reggiesmith6423]

Always learning something new. Mahalo!

[@markalbitz8509]

Thank you for the well thought out reasoning and explanation for placing dog holes plus the diagram.

[@KipIngram]

This is great and well motivated - thanks for putting this together.

[@martynspeck]

+1 for using the word 'penultimate'.

[@billofalltrades1468]

Great info, thanks for sharing

[@FredMcIntyre]

Thanks for the info Shannon!👍

[@scottcookcookconstructionc6013]

Very thoughtful tutorial with plenty of "why I do it this way". I have a couple of general purpose work benches that I've made from glu-lam beam cutoffs from construction projects. I'm getting ready to make a dedicated woodworking bench and thinking of ordering a piece of architectural grade glu-lam for the top (hoping it will be true flat, or close enough to minimize flattening). What do you think? Other suggestions? Thanks - you do a very good video.

[@RenaissanceWW]

I think workbench flatness is highly overstated and I'll bet a glu lam will be plenty flat for you and require next to no flattening, ever.

[@stefanhansen5882]

This is great! I am new to woodworking and I have a SMALL workspace. I want to build a workbench. Would it be wise to do without a vise? (I couldn't help myself)

[@edmc755]

WHERE DID YOU GET THOSE ICE BIG DOG CLAMPS OR HOOKS

[@Seancreaney7]

Thank you 👍☘️🎶☘️

[@ewoid64]

Thank you for the clear and informative instructions. Now I know where to drill. My problem now is how to drill. My only drill is a battery-powered drill motor. Can you tell me how to drill dogholes that are actually perpendicular to my bench top? I appreciate any suggestions.

[@thomasdoyle4485]

if you have a plunge router and a 3/4 bit it will get you started depending how thick your top is... route as deep as it will go then use the routed hole as a guide to drill the rest of the way with a 3/4 forstner bit.

[@Doubird28]

Do the holes have to be tight? I don't quite understand how the hold down can securely hold a piece of wood if the hold down just slides into the holes easily. thanks for any help you can give.

[@RenaissanceWW]

No they are not tight around the holdfast. They work by camming into place as the holdfast is struck. The metal flexes a bit to aid in this but mostly because the clamping pressure is not directly over top of the hole or inline with the holdfast shaft. The pad of the holdfast sits about 6" away so force exerted there creates the camming action in the dog hole.

[@ladykenja2700]

- Thanx. Great ideas.

[@bentcountershaft]

That simplifies things a lot, thanks. Do you have any recommendations on what hold fasts to buy? Not necessarily what brand or anything, but what should I look for or avoid?

[@RenaissanceWW]

I can recommend brands. No question that the Gramercy holdfasts from Tools for Working Wood are great and affordable. Wrought holdfasts from a blacksmith are better. I have some from a guy in AK who isn't making them anymore, but I just bought some replicas from Black Bear Forge and they are outstanding. I have one of the fancy screw types from Veritas and it is okay but does't hold a candle to the whack and move on type.

[@bentcountershaft]

Thanks, I'll definitely check out the Gramercys. I bought my strop from them so I know they're good folks.

[@nickloye7418]

Hello just made a workbench that is only 4 foot length and 32 in across due to size of my shop, I do not have a built in vice, I have two 3/4 in ply on top of each other for my top and thickness of bench. How many holes would you suggest? I was thinking 4 in row spaced accordingly to your thought process with hold fasts.

[@RenaissanceWW]

I agree and I would start with those 4 holes and spend some time working with it. You will probably add a few more as the task dictates and that's the important bit: don't be afraid to add more when you need a work holding solution.

[@williequinlan4946]

Thank You 👍✅

[@edmc755]

DO THOSE CLAMPS WORK ON A ONE INCH THICK WORK TOP ????

[@RenaissanceWW]

1" is getting pretty thin but there are some holdfasts that do work in that case. Most of the twist to secure rathe than strike styles will work. I know a lot of people who also add a bit of blocking to the underside of the benchtop to add thickness right where they drill the dog holes.

[@phillipclarke8871]

This is a great video. Interested to know where to get the steel hold downs. Can you say?

[@RenaissanceWW]

From a blacksmith in Alaska that has since retired unfortunately.

[@harrypowers9412]

I recently bought 2 holdfasts but they don’t hold my work. Even if I whack them several times they won’t hold. I have 3/4” dog holes on my bench and the holdfasts are a somewhat diameter than that. I’ve never used holdfasts before so I’m not familiar with how they should work. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

[@RenaissanceWW]

Not all holdfasts are created equal so some of this answer depends on what you have. Most likely the shaft is terribly flexible on your model so they may need a bit more room in the dog hole to allow the camming action. First try roughing up the shaft with sandpaper. Then if that doesn't work use a nail set so tooth the shaft a little much like stitching a rasp. Finally if that still doesn't work counterbore your dog holes from underneath the bench with a hole that is about 1/4" wider in diameter.

[@andrewgarratt5191]

Do you guys match the holdfast in diameter or leave a little slop ? Like 1” for a 7/8 holdfast I’m guessing

[@toddelliott3239]

Great advice. I inherited a work table, not a workbench, and have for a top, a very good grade plywood, with a nice finish. However, I would like to use a hold down clamp, is the 3/4” play wood going to give me enough support? Thanks for this great video, and I hope you will be able to answer my question. Cheers!

[@RenaissanceWW]

I guess it depends on what kind of clamp you are using. I suspect that 3/4 plywood won't be enough unless there is a good substructure. The plywood along will flex a lot.

[@toddelliott3239]

@@RenaissanceWW Thank you. I'm thinking of making a smaller bench with 2x4s (planed) to handle the vice and dogs. I'm an artist on a fixed budget, but would love to add clamping capacities to the work. Thank you again.

[@scottcookcookconstructionc6013]

You might decide where you want the holes and then go underneath with 2x4's, glue them flat, centered under your desired hole locations, using white glue (could screw them in place until the glue dries and remove the screws if you want). That should stiffen the top a little and give you enough depth to catch a hold-fast. To make it stiffer, could use wider material and even run it cross-ways so you have a network of stiffeners. Shannon may weigh in as to whether he thinks I'm on the right track - he'll have a better feel for bench top stiffness - all of my benches are made of glu-lam beam cutoffs from construction projects so they're plenty stiff.

[@toddelliott3239]

@@scottcookcookconstructionc6013 Yes, Thank you. I was thinking the same thing. I inherited this table and there are some cross sections of 2x4s running across under the plywood. I will add more of course. I appreciate the input. I will be making the changes as I have plenty of extra lumber to do this. Cheers!

[@garychristiansen508]

Nice video, how wide is your leg vise chop?

[@RenaissanceWW]

8"

[@tommasoferroglio6533]

Shannon, I've noticed you don't have the center planing stop (split top style). Is it a choice you would stick to if you would have to rebuild your workbench?

[@RenaissanceWW]

Yes, I did just build another bench with the center notch and it is useful, but I much prefer to have a solid, unbroken top.

[@marksgotwood2151]

Why not have dog holes and t-tracks covering most of the bench. That seems like it would give you the freedom to do almost anything. Tracks take up very little work space, and dog holes can take up the rest of the space. This leaves still leaves a flat service to be used as an outfeed table for a table saw.

[@aaronchinault9513]

Thank Shannon, good stuff. +1 for use of penultimate :0

[@RenaissanceWW]

lol, so glad you approve

[@larryparker656]

Shannon, I'm restoring a couple of planes and hope to enroll in your school soon. I have #4 Stanley, the Adjusting Nut Bolt keeps unscrewing from the frog when I adjust the depth. Should I epoxy this in or just try to get it as tight as possible and leave it alone. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks, enjoy your videos.

[@scottcookcookconstructionc6013]

Try some blue Locktite (thread locking liquid). It holds threads well but you can get them apart with some force. The red type requires heat and you don't want to be heating the plane body due to possible warping. Hope this helps.

[@raymondojones3830]

Where do you get those bench dogs clamps from? thanks

[@RenaissanceWW]

The holdfasts came from a blacksmith in Alaska. Bought them 10 or 12 years ago and I do not believe he is in business any more. Look up holdfasts and there are several makers today on the market. I find the best ones come from blacksmiths so if you can find one locally that is your best option.

[@mikesradguitars]

I am making a wagon vise to hold boards that have a twist from teeter tottering on the high and low corners when jointing the faces for face to face gluing. If I don’t support the high corners, the flex and rock in the board gives me a face that isn’t flat enough, I get a gap. Is there a better solution to this than a wagon vise or some tail vise? Thanks in advance

[@RenaissanceWW]

The solution is really independent of the vise you choose. Personally for face planing I only use a passive stop these days as I find the vise slows me down and makes me make mistakes. Check out my Spot Planing video for more information on that. (kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXPWdWOMYrmJqM0) So regardless of how you hold the board what you need are shims that will hold the board steady and prevent the rocking. By supporting the high corners with a shim now you have a stable surface on which to gauge the amount of twist and remove it without it changing on you. (Sales pitch time!) I have a great lesson on this in my online school for just $10 and with it you also get access to our community, all our sharpening and tool videos, and a weekly update tip. Check out the twisted board lesson here: www.handtoolschool.net/products/hand-plane-twisted-board/

[@mikesradguitars]

RenaissanceWW thanks! I haven’t been able to get the shims to stay put without something holding the board still. I’ll see what’s up on the spot planing video.

[@RayVRoberts]

Hmmm... here it is August 3rd at 6:30pm and no live session? was I misinformed? are you still doing one?

[@RayVRoberts]

Are you okay?

[@RenaissanceWW]

the event had to be postponed sorry about that

[@RayVRoberts]

You okay?

[@haines96]

what is the best diameter for dog holes? 7/8"? 3/4"? or metric 20, or 22? I assume larger is more bersatile, but will 3/4" dogs work in a 7/8" hole? will this cause wear to the hole over time?

[@RenaissanceWW]

I prefer 3/4" because there are a great many accessories on the market that fit that size and next to none in larger sizes. This includes holdfasts which is what you will use the most in the holes. Dogs can easily be made to any diameter to fit any hole and usually they will be a bit smaller than the hole but not too much as they just won't support as well. I suppose they will wear the hole more over time but we are talking about lifetime time spans so I wouldn't be concerned with that.

[@haines96]

@@RenaissanceWW Very interesting, thanks!

[@russmartin4189]

Here is a thought that may or may not work for you. Every bench top I have ever seen has dog holes arranged in a geometric pattern, spaced at regular intervals. Why is that so? Who said they have to be arranged like that? Today, I threw open the windows of my brain and had the idea of just putting them at random all over the top. Or, you could drill a hole or holes where you need them at the time you are doing a project. That way you would have perfect placement. By putting them randomly, you would have them placed at many different increments of an inch or inches, so one, two, or more could always be right. Of course there are some that you would want to have at certain distances from the edges of your top, but it is a blank canvas, why not let your freak flag fly? You might even try holes in a design or spelling out a word. Think Different!

[@tomleurquin9320]

This was really useful since I am in the process of building a roubo style workbench. I would like a clarification. I will be having a face vise. Does the line of holes that are set in 2" from the face go on the side of the bench opposite the vise?

[@you-tubejunkie2926]

Excellent videos..... You appear to be a tall man...... Isn't that work bench a little low for you ?

[@RenaissanceWW]

TV Sucks nope

[@charlesfield9286]

Great info thank you

[@EDCole01]

When will you be releasing semester 0.5?

[@RenaissanceWW]

Eric Cole this fall

[@SuckMySmile]

Do you chamfer the top of the dog holes?

[@RenaissanceWW]

I do yes. I just use an old reamer but a bevel down chisel does quick work of it too.

[@SuckMySmile]

I saw a drill bit insert specifically for chamfering dog holes... not sure where... Paulk’s website I believe?

[@Jeremy-su3xy]

You don't actually show us how secure those things you said.

[@mrverbeck1]

Penultimate is not the last.

[@JW-kt5ls]

Shorten the video by 9 minutes.

[@user-py1hz9ik2i]

why explain how to use toilet paper ...

[@Richard-wk9le]

Too much talking and not enough showing.

[@jay-124]

talking is so long /////////////////////////////////////////////