Hf

Hobbes

19/01/2004 4:55 PM

Dimensions for dog-holes in workbench top

I am in the process of building a "real" maple workbench and am about
ready to cut dog hole slots (for square dogs) in the stock that makes up
the dog hole strip. I plan on making my own dogs but want to make the
slots the proper size should I ever decide to purchase commercial dogs.
I see that the Lee Valley dogs are 5/8" x 3/4", and that seems to be a
common size for metal dogs.

So assuming I want to mill the holes the proper size to accommodate
those dogs, what size should I actually mill the hole? How much extra
space should I leave (how tight a fit?) The dogs have a side spring.
Does that require extra side clearance? How big should the extra top
"blip" be to accommodate the dog head?

I searched google and came up with countless discussions on the round vs
square debate (and decided on square), but could not find the info I
need.

Anybody have any thoughts?

Thanks,
Mark


This topic has 5 replies

Ba

B a r r y B u r k e J r .

in reply to Hobbes on 19/01/2004 4:55 PM

20/01/2004 12:44 AM

On Mon, 19 Jan 2004 16:55:09 -0500, Hobbes
<[email protected]> wrote:

>So assuming I want to mill the holes the proper size to accommodate
>those dogs, what size should I actually mill the hole?

I wouldn't mill a hole, I'd mill a slot in the side of a board, before
I attached it to the bench.

Kind of like a dado, leaving you with what looks like a thick dentil
molding.

Barry

MB

Mark Blum

in reply to Hobbes on 19/01/2004 4:55 PM

19/01/2004 6:25 PM

In article <[email protected]>, [email protected]
says...
> Take a look at the "Instr" link for the Dogs you are considering on the Lee
> Valley site, which I think may be:
>
> http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.asp?page=31131&category=1,41637,41645&ccurrency=1&SID=
>
> It should provide the detail you need.
>
> If not, call or email them and I am certain they will provide it to you.
>
> Good Luck
>
>
>
Thanks a lot! I never noticed those "Instr" links before. That is
exactly the info I was looking for!

MB

Mark Blum

in reply to Hobbes on 19/01/2004 4:55 PM

19/01/2004 8:25 PM

In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
> On Mon, 19 Jan 2004 16:55:09 -0500, Hobbes
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >So assuming I want to mill the holes the proper size to accommodate
> >those dogs, what size should I actually mill the hole?
>
> I wouldn't mill a hole, I'd mill a slot in the side of a board, before
> I attached it to the bench.
>
> Kind of like a dado, leaving you with what looks like a thick dentil
> molding.
>
> Barry
>
Thanks Barry. Actually, that is the method I am using. I've done all
the research on bench construction and own the Landis book. I just used
some sloppy terminology for expedience. But thanks for the info
nonetheless.

-Mark

Pp

"PBS"

in reply to Hobbes on 19/01/2004 4:55 PM

19/01/2004 3:10 PM

Take a look at the "Instr" link for the Dogs you are considering on the Lee
Valley site, which I think may be:

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.asp?page=31131&category=1,41637,41645&ccurrency=1&SID=

It should provide the detail you need.

If not, call or email them and I am certain they will provide it to you.

Good Luck

Cb

C

in reply to Hobbes on 19/01/2004 4:55 PM

19/01/2004 7:41 PM

On Mon, 19 Jan 2004 16:55:09 -0500, Hobbes wrote:

> I am in the process of building a "real" maple workbench and am about
> ready to cut dog hole slots (for square dogs) in the stock that makes up
> the dog hole strip. I plan on making my own dogs but want to make the
> slots the proper size should I ever decide to purchase commercial dogs. I
> see that the Lee Valley dogs are 5/8" x 3/4", and that seems to be a
> common size for metal dogs.
>
> So assuming I want to mill the holes the proper size to accommodate those
> dogs, what size should I actually mill the hole? How much extra space
> should I leave (how tight a fit?) The dogs have a side spring. Does that
> require extra side clearance? How big should the extra top "blip" be to
> accommodate the dog head?
>
> I searched google and came up with countless discussions on the round vs
> square debate (and decided on square), but could not find the info I need.
>
> Anybody have any thoughts?
>
> Thanks,
> Mark

Have you contacted Lee Valley for advice? They are quite good at customer
care.


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