Help with Gramercy holdfast technique - they are not holding

[Nicholas Lawrence]

I am almost done with a Mike Siemsen style Nicholson. I bought two TFWW holdfasts. Have not tried them in the bench yet, but drilled a test hole in a scrap of 2x4 with a 3/4 auger bit.

Moderate smack with a mallet (a little harder than I normally hit my delicate AI chisels), and I can’t get it to move with my hands. I did not do anything to them in terms of sanding, just used them out of the box. They actually feel a bit slick, like they may have oil or something on them from manufacturing.

The bench plans call for blocking under the holdfast holes to thicken that area a bit, so will try them once I have the bench fully up and running and report back.

[Rob Luter]

Mine slip sometimes too. Coarse sandpaper helps.

Follow up....

I had some slippage lately. Coarse sandpaper near the top of the shaft is very effective. Apply radially to the shaft near where the shaft engages the uppermost inch or two of your benchtop.