Junior's Holdfasts

[Richard Niemiec]

I just want everyone to know that Junior Strasil made me a set of custom holdfasts for my Sjobergs bench, which has 1" (actually, 25mm) dog holes, and they are just fabulous. For those who don't have 1" dog holes, it's impossible to find holdfasts out there, all are made for 3/4" holes, and the ones Sjobergs sells to fit this bench are just lousy. Junior took the time to find the right materials, and engineered them just right; one whack and they're well set, one whack and they release. I couldn't ask for more.

I know he's justly famous for his 3/4" holdfasts, but for anyone out there suffering with 1" dog holes, he'll be your hero.

So, a public thanks to Junior for his skill and craftsmanship! Well done, and thank you!

RN

[Jim Koepke]

I have a pair of the smaller ones and just can not figure how I could work without them.

Hopefully, some day I will be able to afford another pair at the same time Junior is making them.

jim

[Richard Dooling]

I was using Junior's hold fasts today as a matter of fact. This was a case where the extra spring in his design was really helpful. I just pushed them down to secure the work though I still had to give 'em a whack to release.

Someone here recently sold an extra set they had and I was sorely tempted.

.

[Rob Fisher]

...Someone here recently sold an extra set they had and I was sorely tempted...

GLOAT! I was the lucky buyer of that pair from Chris. :D
Now I just need to get some holes in my temporary bench and start using them. I can't wait!

Rob

[Brian Muecke]

i have the same bench and and have only located a blacksmith in alaska to make the holdfasts. who is this Junior you speak of?

[Richard Niemiec]

Brian, sent you a PM.

[harry strasil]

Brian, when I made Richards, I made 2 sets if you want the other set email me.

Jr.

[Thomas Kila]

Brian,
I too have 1" dogholes in my Sjoberg bench, but since receiving Jr.'s 3/4" holdfasts, have drilled more than a couple of holes to accommodate them. I absolutely love Jr.'s holdfasts and recommend them wholeheartedly. In fact, if you don't grab the extra set, I just may shoot Jr. a PM and take them myself!:p

[John Coloccia]

I have a Sjoberg too and have pulled out my hair looking for holdfasts. If you ever make more 1", would you mind whipping some up for me too?

[Bob Easton]

i have the same bench and and have only located a blacksmith in alaska to make the holdfasts. who is this Junior you speak of?

"Junior" is Harry Strasil. The interchangeable names aren't obvious until you've been here quite a long while.

[harry strasil]

Richard had a small problem with the holdfasts he got, they were a bit long and some kind of bracework interfered with them so he had to cut 1.5 inches off, I am assuming all the sjoberg benches are made the same and I should alter the length?

[John Coloccia]

Good question. I wonder what they interfered with? I have one of the "Elite" series benches, which I think are the only ones with 1" holes, so I'm guessing we have the same bench.

What did you run into, Richard?

[harry strasil]

Ok, I checked my material and I have enough for 4 more pair of large ones, 2 have requested them, that leaves 3 sets unclaimed. I will cut the material up and first come first served, after I get caught up on the ones for 3/4 holes.

Jr.

[John Coloccia]

Harry, if we don't hear from Richard, you can just go ahead and make mine the normal length. If I end up having to cut them, I'll just cut them, no big deal.

[Richard Niemiec]

John, Junior: I haven't cut mine down yet, but I ran down to the shop and took some measurements. My bench is the Sjobergs Elite 2500, there is a slight difference between the positioning of rails on the "front" and "back" of the bench, of course, depending on whether you have it set up for right or left handed workers, mine is a righty.

On the back, the rail is directly below the dog holes, on the front the holdfast will bump the rail slightly, and in each instance, figuring a 3/4 inch board under the holdfast, 1 1/2 inch shorter will do nicely, but 1 3/4 inch would give you some slack for thinner stock.

I hope that helps. You'll love the holdfasts, thanks again Junior.

RN

[Jim Koepke]

On the back, the rail is directly below the dog holes, on the front the holdfast will bump the rail slightly, and in each instance, figuring a 3/4 inch board under the holdfast, 1 1/2 inch shorter will do nicely, but 1 3/4 inch would give you some slack for thinner stock.

My practice is to put a piece of scrap 2X3 on edge between the hold fast and the stock being held. This elevates the hold fast a little an makes it an easier target when hitting it with a mallet to remove.

jim

[John Coloccia]

Personally, I think I'll be happy with "regular" length. It's a lot easier to cut it off than it is to whip out the torch and put it back on....

...not that I have a tip that will do 1" steal, mind you.

[harry strasil]

Right on Jim, I keep a small container with small scraps of several different sizes/thickness's handy to use under the holdfast working end instead of leather.

[Pat Meeuwissen]

Is there a picture of the hold downs Junior made? Pat

[Don C Peterson]

This thread has several pics of Jr's holdfasts and a brief review of them that I wrote up.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=114625&highlight=holdfast&page=3

[Pedro Reyes]

I have 2 more unclaimed pairs of holdfasts for 1inch holes made if anyone is interested.

$45 a pair + $12 priority mail and handling.

Where do I send the moola and how?

/p