I often resaw thin boards from thicker stock, and then handplane them to the desired thickness. These boards can be as thin as 1⁄8 in. or even 1⁄16 in, and are difficult to secure for handplaning using a standard vise and benchdogs. And if the piece is not fully supported on a flat surface it can flex, making planing almost impossible.

To get the job done, I use a 3⁄4-in. plywood base held on the workbench between my vise and benchdogs. I drill 1⁄4-in. holes in the plywood around the workpiece and insert “mini-dogs,” which are simply 1⁄4-in. dowels. When planing thin panels or thin, flat parts for knife handles, I place several mini-dogs in existing holes, and drill new holes if needed. The holes pass completely through the plywood base so I can easily remove the minidogs later.

Jim Richey

Alejandro Balbis, Longueuil, None

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