Replies

1. 
   Samson | Mar 09, 2007 06:25pm | #1

   http://forums.taunton.com/fw-knots/messages?msg=24220.1

   Never mind, I just realized you were referring to an end vise and not a tail vise.  You want to cut angled dog holes in a single thick plank you're using as a moveable jaw.  In that case, I'd suggest you rig a jig to allow you to drill a 3 degree appropriate sized hole with your drill press and then use a chisel to square it up and add the blip at the top for the head of the dog.

   
   

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   Edited 3/9/2007 10:41 am ET by Samson

2. 
   citrouille | Mar 09, 2007 08:22pm | #2

   If you are planing to use wooden dogs, just angle the dogs.
   As a matter of fact you can angle the steel dogs as well.

   C.

3. 
   Manny | Mar 10, 2007 12:03am | #3

   I built that same workbench, but when I bought the vise, saw the type of top from Veritas, with holes, and I did that , it works great for me...I did some changes to the joinery for the top, but other than that , works great.. round dogs...

4. 
   Floss | Mar 10, 2007 12:32am | #4

   Do as C. suggested. Angled holes are a lot of work. You wont notice a difference between angled dogs or angled holes.

   In all actuality, straight holes and dogs are just fine. My bench is like that and I really see no need to go to the added expense of angling either. Unless you really intend to follow the article to the letter.

   You could probably skip the tail vise as well. Just depends on how you like to work.

   I don't have a tail vise either so I guess I don't miss it or just never knew what I was missing.

   In all honesty, if your bench is relatively flat, and you have a decent vise, you will be just fine.

   Although I have a multitude of dog holes on my bench, it is basically a thick slab and a solid base with a simple vise. What more do you need?

   J.P.

   http://www.jpkfinefurniture.com
5. 
   Keef | Mar 10, 2007 07:52pm | #5

   Arch,

   Hey, I looked up that article on the bench you're buuilding.  I had just talked to the wood guy about ordering my wood for another design.  I like this one so much, I had to call him and tell him to hold off- think I will build your instead!  Have you started on yours yet?  Are you making and design changes?

    

   KB

    

    

1. 
   archbell | Mar 10, 2007 08:21pm | #6

   Hey Keef, thanks for your response. This is the first time I've used this forum, it's great! I've built my bench entirely from free beech pallets I've picked up from a local manufacturer. It was a lot of work to get straight clean pieces (a lot of firewood) and I'm now at the point of cutting the dovetails on the apron. My bench is slightly different from Lon's, meaning I didn't follow his dimensions to the letter, but it's pretty close. I'm going to purchase a couple of front vises from Lee Valley instead of the twin screw version he recommends. So far I've spent about 10 dollars on the entire bench (I figure I need to spend another 200 on vises to finish up). Arch

1. 
   user-231455 | Mar 11, 2007 12:14pm | #7

   All: I built Lon's bench a couple of years ago and absolutely love it. Found the twin screw vise a bit difficult to keep adjusted so it closes square end to end. Probably an installation error on my part (need to get the installation instructions out and also see if the wood jaws are square). Instead of building a top, I bought a butcher block top pre-made but quickly found I had to sand the top with my belt sander since the top comes finished and is too slippery.  I  had never hand-cut large  dovetails before so it took some practice. The bench is rock-solid and a lot of fun to build.. I finished it with tung oil. I plan to build the draws/doors underneath the bench from Lon's follow-up article. Enjoy.

   I didn't worry about angling the holes for the round bench dogs (Lee Valley)...just tried to drill them straight. I seem to recall that they are made with a 3 degree angle. Haven't had any problem with them holding work firmly.

   Edited 3/11/2007 6:12 am ET by B Lund