Mike Allen1010
01-19-2012, 12:20 PM
What diameter should holes be in bench top for 7/8" diameter steel bench hook?
I have bench hold downs from Japan woodworker that are 7/8" diameter solid steel poles with cast "hooks". My old bench had 2 1/2" thick particle board central surface . I had some problems getting the hooks to hold, even after roughing the surface of the poles.
I just finished new bench w/ 3" thick maple top (I'll try and post some build pics later this week), does the thickness and hardness of bench top wood effect how well bench hold downs work? Wouldn't mean I need holes larger than 7/8" diameter of poles? Is 3" thick bench top too thin for geometry of these hold downs to work?
Isn't the concept that the hole is slightly larger than diameter of pole and therefore "racks" when struck with a mallet and the friction created by racking holds work in place?
I would love some of the LV hold down that fit my 3/4" dog holes but $80 a throw is too rich for my blood.
After investing lots of time and especially sweat building my Ruobo with hand tools, I'm reluctant to drill big holes in the top unless I know their going to work.
Many thanks for for any advice and suggestions.
Mike
I have bench hold downs from Japan woodworker that are 7/8" diameter solid steel poles with cast "hooks". My old bench had 2 1/2" thick particle board central surface . I had some problems getting the hooks to hold, even after roughing the surface of the poles.
I just finished new bench w/ 3" thick maple top (I'll try and post some build pics later this week), does the thickness and hardness of bench top wood effect how well bench hold downs work? Wouldn't mean I need holes larger than 7/8" diameter of poles? Is 3" thick bench top too thin for geometry of these hold downs to work?
Isn't the concept that the hole is slightly larger than diameter of pole and therefore "racks" when struck with a mallet and the friction created by racking holds work in place?
I would love some of the LV hold down that fit my 3/4" dog holes but $80 a throw is too rich for my blood.
After investing lots of time and especially sweat building my Ruobo with hand tools, I'm reluctant to drill big holes in the top unless I know their going to work.
Many thanks for for any advice and suggestions.
Mike