help needed with a table dog insert

[steve pankratz]

this was recessed in a woodworkers table i bought and was wondering what it is called and how it works. what is missing? it also has holes for what i assume are pegs in the table. thank you very much.

[Charles Taylor]

That workbench is of a style that was often found in school classrooms. I have one similar to it.

The recessed piece of iron is part of a planing stop, similar to this one:
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With the metal stop in the center raised to a height somewhat less than the thickness of a board to be planed, you can place the end of the board against it. As long as you plane in the direction of the the stop, the board will remain in place.

The holes in your bench are dog holes. With a dog (peg) in one of the holes, and the rectangular dog on the top front of your vise raised, you can hold material in place.

[steve pankratz]

thanks very much. just the info i needed.