When it was time to replace my old benchdogs, I made new ones that use a wooden spring cut from the dog body. It works great, and it’s wood, so it won’t wear out your dog holes. Grab a hardwood dowel that matches the dog-hole diameter and cut it 5 in. long. Then make the 3⁄16-in.-thick leaf spring by cutting a kerf halfway down the dowel’s length on the bandsaw. Cut a wood shim slightly wider than the kerf, put a little glue on it, and push it to the bottom of the kerf. Finally, create a flat clamping face by notching the top 7⁄8 in. of the dog. Cut the face at a slight angle to keep it from lifting the workpiece when pressure is applied.

Jim Richey

Mike Billeci, Tivoli, NY

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