I have been successfully using these hardwood bench dogs in my furniture design+build studio for 8 years. Hardwood bench dogs are better suited to working with hand tools than metal dogs. This solid hardwood bench dog has a 3/4 inch diameter round profile. The round bench dog is intended for use in workbenches with 3/4 inch diameter holes. A spring-loaded bullet catch is press fit into the sliding part of the bench dog. This ensures that the bench dog makes a solid fit with the workbench hole.
The length of the bench dog is 4 inches which is ideally suited to most workbench thicknesses. To ensure positive clamping of thinner stock, a raked flat notch is recessed on one side of the bench dog. Leather is applied to the raked flat face of the notch to prevent wear on furniture components clamped against the bench dog. The bench dog can easily be lowered into the dog hole when not in use, and raised for use.
The bench dog can be raised to match the thickness of the stock that is being hand-planed, assuming there is a 3/4 inch diameter through-hole in the workbench surface. The hardwood bench dog eliminates the risk of marring the metal sole or blade of a metal-bodied handplane. The hardwood used in the bench dog design is oak. Oiled finish.
“Your work is beautiful. I received them in good order and they are beautiful.” Thanks, Larry Kerr MD