Holdfast holes in split-top Roubo


morganew

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Those of you who read popular woodworking's blog may have seen Chris Schwarz's article on where he puts his holes.  

http://www.popularwoodworking.com/woodworking-blogs/chris-schwarz-blog/holdfast-holes-where-should-they-be-located

Unfortunately, his layout doesn't quite work with the TWW Split-top.  So I am wondering:  what pattern did you use?  did you have a pattern at all?  how do you like your hole placement?

(I am leaving all various and sundry hole jokes to the imagination of the reader)

 

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I followed the BC plan, but added a few additional as I gained experience with the work holding 'flow' of the Roubo. I think I added a total of three additional holes to the BC plan -- basically to secure a plane stop st the leg-vise end and a second in-line hole at the wagon vice end. I forget where the third went, but it addressed a coverage gap in the center field...

Note: I use Veritas clamping holdfasts: http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=31149&cat=1,41637   which have wider coverage than the Gramercy (specified in the build). I suspect if I used the Gramercy, I'd have needed one or two additional holes.

My top is a full 4", so I counterbored a 1" hole 1" deep in the bottom with a forstner bit. I used the Veritas bench drilling jig for alignment: http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?cat=1,41637&p=72602 with a 3/4 auger bit...

I used Veritas bench anchors: http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=59754&cat=1,41637 for my plane stops and other surface jigs...

Edited by hhh
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My advice --

Work with a bench for awhile to get a feel for your workflow before turning the top into Swiss cheese... You don't really need that many holes...

 

The BC plan is pretty good, but the holes assume a couple of specific bench accessories... Ahhh, now I remember, the [third] extra hole was in the front slab to support a carving vice -- I use the Veritas carving vice that attaches from below the bench with a through dog hole...

 

All three of my extra holes are in the front slab:

6 1/4 from left edge, 3" from gap (plane stop)

19" from right edge, 3 1/2 from gap (balances surface holding on right side of bench)

The last hole is based on the requirements of my carving vice, so it's location is not important.

 

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Yup. It's all about leverage... You don't have to torque down on the knob at all to impart a good deal of downward pressure at the stock-end. I've tried several brands of holdfast (include some hand forged ones) and these work a lot better. To get the same holding with minimal knob pressure, I'd have to whack the sh*t out of the holdfasts...

BTW: I usually contact-cement a pad of leather on holdfasts to protect the stock...

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our posts crossed in the wind.  My earlier response was to wtnhighlander :)

 

Good to know that the BC plans are working for you.  

My bench is only 60" x 22", and I use 4 holes, 2 on each side, about 3" from the edge and spaced at 20" from each end. Since I own a wopping 1 holdfast, I have a couple of round pegs that drop into other holes to act as stops.
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Yup. It's all about leverage... You don't have to torque down on the knob at all to impart a good deal of downward pressure at the stock-end. I've tried several brands of holdfast (include some hand forged ones) and these work a lot better. To get the same holding with minimal knob pressure, I'd have to whack the sh*t out of the holdfasts...

BTW: I usually contact-cement a pad of leather on holdfasts to protect the stock...

Getting a LV order ready, will include a pair of those... with the short posts... and also the drill guide.

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