Workbench, square or round dogs?

[Ingjr]

Opinions as to the effectivness and options of round vs. square dogs in workbench tops. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[gwyneth]

Square ones either require advanced planning--to make dado pseudo-mortices in pairs (or any other method) while you're building it, or really enjoy chiseling.

Round ones can be added at any time with ease.

Of course, that's the hole part.

Concerning the dogs themselves, it might be easier to make square dogs than round ones, but with bullet catches the biggest potential problem of round ones (securing in the hole) is not such an issue.

And don't forget go-bars, dead-men, slide-sides and leg vises.

[big tim]

I use round dogs and cut them from 3/4" dowel. To prevent them from falling through I put a short piece of vinyl hose of appropiate diameter at one end.
Works great for me!


I "store" them in holes drilled in the legs


Tim

[gwyneth]

I use round dogs and cut them from 3/4" dowel. To prevent them from falling through I put a short piece of vinyl hose of appropiate diameter at one end.

That is a brilliant idea.

[Uncle Cracker]

I prefer round, partly because they will set at any angle in the hole, which makes clamping on objects that are not square much easier. I turn mine on a lathe, so I can mill a shoulder to prevent fall-through, or retain a flat face on the above-bench portion if the need is there.

[scorrpio]

Round. I got a bunch of Rockler bench dogs Easier to make holes. more versatile to use. (i.e. can rotate a dog to accomodate odd-shaped work)

[Tom Miller]

Round vs. square? My answer is, "yes!".




...especially if you own a lathe.

I make these myself from square stock (1" x 1" x 3.5"). Chuck it in the lathe, and turn all but 1/2" of it round.

But, whichever route you go, you'll be well-served. Round holes are easier to "install" after the bench is made, but square are arguably easier during bench construction.

Regards,
Tom

[scorrpio]

Squares are usually made when constructing bench top. You make a series of dadoes in one of the sections before laminating the sections togeather. But really, you can just as easily drill a series of holes in a section on a drill press before laminating.

But those who use a prefab top, like from Grizzly of McMaster, round hole is by far a better option. Execution is also pretty easy - either use a drill guide, or use plunge router to start the holes.

[25]

One nice thing about square holes is that you can still fit round dogs in them . Not so easy the other way.

[eezlock]

round or square bench dogs?

Mine are sort of like Tom Miller's square top dog with a round peg to drop in the hole. Made mine out of 3/4" dowel stock and some 1 &1/2" square
3/4" plywood scraps, bored a hole in the center of the squares and glued the pegs into that and it works good for me!

[Ingjr]

Thanks for all the input. Big Tim, is that a Veritas Twin Screw I see in the pics? That is what I'll be using. Just beginning to order/aquire all the hardware before I start the bench construction. I think I'll be using round dogs because of the odd shaped item clamping deal. Thanks again, I'll let you guys know how the construction is going. Going to be using Brazilian Cherry/Jatoba for the top lamination. Wood should be here any day. Excitement is starting to build. On a side note, will the BT3 handle ripping the 8/4 Jatoba alright? I'm thinking it will.

[jhanby]

From my massive experience from not yet building my bench , I like the jig possibilities from that Workbench book (Landis I think) that you get from round holes...

[kmk]

I don't know whether the sale is still on at Rockler. I bought this
bench accessory kit for $11.99.

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?p...nch%20dogs

I purchased $30 worth stuff including the above and took advantage of $10 off $30 offer.

[kmk]

Super bench dog?

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?O...Select=Details