Slots for bench dogs

>My question is: should I cut a notch in the workbench slots or just
>leave it straight?

Mitch, the notch is very handy, because there are times when you want the bench
dog almost (but not totally) inserted into the hole. Sometimes you need to hold
thin stock while planing it.

Mitch from NYC wrote:
>
> I'm making a workbench and I've seen lots of examples of slots for
> bench dogs that have a notch cut at the top. I'm making my own bench
> dogs that will have a "spring" formed by a piece of pine that fits
> into a recession under the head and attached to a taper at the bottom
> of the dog with a screw.
>
> My question is: should I cut a notch in the workbench slots or just
> leave it straight? Also, the bench dogs will be rectangular (not
> round) and at a slight angle.
>
> Thanks!

"Square" dogholes are much easier to cut when you do them on
the edge of the stock - before glueing up the top. A router with
a template guide collar and a template speeds things up and makes
the holes uniform in demensions. The "notch" keeps the dog from
falling into the hole. Dogs are often left in the bench and popped
up when needed. Here's an example

http://home.comcast.net/~charliebcz/BenchFinishing/CBbench30.html

If you make your own "square" dogs go with hardwood for the dog
AND the spring. The spring will get a lot of wear and pine wears
very quickly.

Here's the url to the page showing some dogs I did that might
give you some ideas.

http://home.comcast.net/~charliebcz/BenchFinishing/CBbench32.html

Good luck wih your bench. Great tools.

charlie b