The Notched Batten - years late...

[Peter Pedisich]

Late to the party, but decided to take a few minutes and a scrap of 12mm MultiPly to make a notched batten.

This thing really works well, and it's so easy to flip the piece over.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vdndKHeXuC8/VVfPfOPiErI/AAAAAAAADVc/heIZesZQQ4I/s800/IMG_4021.JPG


https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7xNYdX1H7I0/VVfPfJJO-nI/AAAAAAAADVg/BoHOU5NxKJM/s800/IMG_4025.jpg

[lowell holmes]

I'm a little dense. When I sailed a lot we used battens in the sails, so I know what one kind batten is, but I don't have the foggiest notion about what this batten is for.

:confused:

[Peter Pedisich]

I'm a little dense. When I sailed a lot we used battens in the sails, so I know what one kind batten is, but I don't have the foggiest notion about what this batten is for.

:confused:

Popular Woodworking (http://www.popularwoodworking.com/workbenches/schwarz-workbenches/notched-batten-great-workbench-trick)

Talented English Dude (http://www.theenglishwoodworker.com/the-holdfast-and-the-batten-video/)

[ken hatch]

I'm a little dense. When I sailed a lot we used battens in the sails, so I know what one kind batten is, but I don't have the foggiest notion about what this batten is for.

:confused:

Lowell,

These battens are basically sticks used to hold work pieces in place. One of the names for the notched batten shown is a "doe's foot". Here is a link of the notched batten in use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNrof3cd1cA

ken

P.S. Peter beat me to the video :)

[ken hatch]

Here is a doe's foot in use on my bench:

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh222/VTXAZ/battenB_zps1338dcf9.jpg

One end is pressed against a stop, the other is held in place by the notched batten. It allows very easy and quick holding of long boards for planing.

ken

[Frederick Skelly]

Thanks for the links guys. I stumbled into making/using a couple of these a few months back. I don't use a tail vise - only hold downs and bench dogs. I find these really help me. An excellent and clever use of some scrap wood!

Fred

[Bill White]

Mine hangs right at the end of the bench for quick access. Stupid simple, and they work.
Bill

[lowell holmes]

Ken,
Thanks for the response. It makes sense to me now.

[Jim Matthews]

Stupid simple, and they work. Bill

That's my family crest, right there.

"Etiam simplicium potest operari"