I'm sure you all thought of this already, but....

[Anonymous]

I thought i'd share it anyway

I often need to clamp things on the edge of the bench to run a router along them or plane against an edge. Clamping to the bench is often not possible as the clamp gets in the way.

Clamping between the bench dog and tail vice works for wider pieces.

I looked at the Veritas Hold-Down but I needed two and at nearly fifty quid each? :shock: :shock: :shock:

So I took a couple of old F clamps I bought for £2.00 each on a market stall a few years ago (cheap ones have thinner rails that fit my 20mm dog holes), cut a foot off the end, tapped a 4mm hole in the top of the rail to insert a screw to stop it slipping through, and there you have it. Works an absolute treat

 

[George_N]

I've used the Quick Grip type clamps for this sort of thing in the past. The type that can be used as a clamp or spreader. There is a latch that allows the head to be removed to turn it round for converting between one mode and the other. Slip the bar through the dog hole and re-attach the head under the bench with the operating handle above and Robert's your mother's brother.

 

[Woody Alan]

Tony said

I looked at the Veritas Hold-Down but I needed two and at nearly fifty quid each?

I thought that until I found this
http://www.ahc-camberley.co.uk/catalog/ ... s_id=12636
@ 36.39 x2 £72.78 and have just ordered two, with some xmas money.
Although your idea is cheap and simple and works just as well.

Alan

 

[wizer]

very clever Tony. I was bought 2 veritas hold downs 2 xmases ago and, as yet, haven't had a bench to use them in! :roll: :wink: