Holdfasts types and uses!

[bourbon]

where are you based? Come and talk to or blacksmith at an event. The Ferrers household

 

[bp122]

At the cheapest end of the spectrum ones that work, apparently very well, can be made from wood. I thought I had a picture of a couple but they must be on another hard drive. Never mind, the YouTube channel Pask Makes has a vid on making these and I think I spotted them in use in one of his recent vids so they've held up.
/forums/bench-top-with-clamps-pegs-t95141.html

Here you go:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92NiggRJhZA

I watched the video and I'm really impressed how well those things held up.
I'm surprised as to how many things are made using a bandsaw!
I can't throw money at it now and buy one
And my skills with a coping saw are terrible.
Any other method to cut curves on wood?

 

[samhay]

The wooden ones don't have to be curved. That was done for aesthetics.
That said, you could shape them with a file, sander, spoke shave, chisel, etc, etc.

 

[Rich C]

Indeed, pretty sure you could knock them together with a handsaw and have them work just fine.

 

[MikeG.]

At the cheapest end of the spectrum ones that work, apparently very well, can be made from wood...........

Here's mine in use:

It's 3 or 4 years old and as good as the day it was made. Works perfectly.

 

[bp122]

where are you based? Come and talk to or blacksmith at an event. The Ferrers household

I am based in Buckinghamshire. Not sure how far away the event you mentioned is.

The wooden ones don't have to be curved. That was done for aesthetics.
That said, you could shape them with a file, sander, spoke shave, chisel, etc, etc.

Indeed, pretty sure you could knock them together with a handsaw and have them work just fine.

Just after I posted the question, I came across a few videos on YT about cutting curves the old fashioned way, with a saw, chisel and a card scraper (the last one I have never used)

Besides, as you said, it doesn't need to be curved. I must say, the DIY wooden ones are looking like the most exciting option from a project point of view. I have a 3/4" dowel, not sure it is hard wood, but will try it anyway.

 

[MikeJhn]

Or go really back in time and use a Spokeshave to get the curve.

 

[bp122]

At the cheapest end of the spectrum ones that work, apparently very well, can be made from wood...........

Here's mine in use:

It's 3 or 4 years old and as good as the day it was made. Works perfectly.

That settles it. I am going to try and make one or two and see how it goes.
I have enough hardwood scraps for that anyway!

 

[MikeG.]

If I had round holes rather than square, I think I would be tempted to find a suitably shaped fork of green wood from a woodland. A branch with a fork, say an inch and a half in diameter, would soon whittle down to the right size and shape, taking away the need for a join. I'd then season it. Obviously, ask the woodland owners permission first.

 

[Rich C]

I might give them a go, ash seems like an obvious choice for these, the really, anything handy (and hardwood) would suffice.

 

[bp122]

Thank you all for your help with this.

Moved by the "Pask makes" video, I tried my own.
And I made my first DIY shop tools!

 

[Trainee neophyte]

I've been lurking on the bog-oak table thread, and MikeG has inspired me, not with the table, oddly, but with the holdfast shown above, and also his gorgeous mallet.

Not saying the table isn't brilliant, because it is, but I couldn't possibly aspire to that. The holdfast and mallet, on the other hand...

New year's list is 1 mallet, one holdfast, and one bench to put the holdfast into. How hard could it be? I am already eying up bits of firewood that may be suitable.

 

[Chris Knight]

I can thoroughly recommend Gramercy holdfasts. Made in the USA and stocked by Diter Schmid in Germany for €22.90 each at present

https://www.fine-tools.com/holdfast.html

I have had a pair since 2010 and use them in a bench that is 110mm thick. They both fix and release very easily with a whack for my deadblow hammer.

 

[bp122]

I've been lurking on the bog-oak table thread, and MikeG has inspired me, not with the table, oddly, but with the holdfast shown above, and also his gorgeous mallet.

Not saying the table isn't brilliant, because it is, but I couldn't possibly aspire to that. The holdfast and mallet, on the other hand...

New year's list is 1 mallet, one holdfast, and one bench to put the holdfast into. How hard could it be? I am already eying up bits of firewood that may be suitable.

Not a bad list at all.

I found the entire process very enjoyable. Although, I didn't have my drill press at the time so mucked up the hole for the dowel and drilled it at an angle with a Forster bit on my cordless drill, as a result it doesn't sit straight but still works.

Making things is so much fun. *Gasm alert*