Replies

1. 
   Samson | May 01, 2007 07:22pm | #1

   I think it depends upon the kind of work you do.  What do you imagine holding that you would need so many holes at the far end?  Do you make entry doors, for example?

   I think there may well be a down side to too many holes as it is nice to have some unbroken patches of work surface.  I'd fear it would a little too waffled with that many holes. 

   I would try to figure out the least number of holes that give you the most flexibility for the kind of work you tend to do.

   You can always drill more holes for round dogs or rig up temporary stops with clamps for that once in a blue moon need to clamp a 7x3 foot panel on top of your bench.

   I assume you will be able to work your bench from all sides (as opposed to pressed up against the wall).  If not, it's difficult to imagine the use of some of those last rows toward the back of the bench.

   FWIW

   
   

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   Edited 5/1/2007 12:28 pm ET by Samson

2. 
   BMilton | May 01, 2007 08:12pm | #2

   If your front vice also uses dog holes, you may be able to align the holes so they work properly for either the front or end vises. Then you do have hole the entire way down.

        Bob

    

3. 
   Buster2000 | May 01, 2007 09:49pm | #3

   I have lots of round dog holes on my bench top, probably as many as you're planning.  I like the flexibility.

   I use my bench for both hand and power tools, I think that makes a bit of a difference.  The extra holes allow me different hold down configurations for use with the power tools that would be uncomfortable to use with a hand plane.

   I've never seen any downside of having more dog holes.  A little off the question, in my opinion if you go with a larger array of dog holes I would probably go with round holes.  Again it's a flexibility thing.

    

4. 
   sapwood | May 01, 2007 10:30pm | #4

   You will only have too many if there is more hole than bench.

5. 
   SteveSchoene | May 02, 2007 02:34pm | #5

   One challenge of running the dog holes into that area is getting them spaced so that they don't run into the bars or screw, particularly if you want them all spaced evenly for aesthetic reasons.  Remember, you can press a round dog into service if you have to clamp something that runs into that space. 

   Otherwise, its just a matter of taste, as long as all the perforations don't cause the top to "tear along the dotted line".  Not an actual problem though. 

6. 
   alanplanesaw | May 03, 2007 01:02am | #6

   Maybe it is standard practice, but I would recommend being careful about the holes on the left side running front to back.  I am repairing an antique workbench where that was done and the boards had separated.

   Alan - planesaw

1. 
   Buster2000 | May 04, 2007 02:34am | #8

   Alan,

   I agree.  I believe that Tauntons workbench books makes reference to this.  I have dogholes in this orientation on my bench, when I do pinch something in this manner I do it lightly.

   Buster

7. 
   jeff100 | May 03, 2007 10:00pm | #7

   I recently built my first bench.  I did extensive research before building it.  I finally decided with dogholes to adopt this philosophy.  I can put them in any time I want!  So, I put in a minimum of dogholes where I knew for a fact I would need them now, and decided to take a wait and see attitude about the rest.  The area where I have dog holes is much more difficult to clean and keep clean than the smooth parts of the bench that doesn't have dog holes.  Chips and sawdust get into the dogholes and are difficult to get out (in the blind holes, not all are blind).  My advice to you would be to put a few in where you know you will use them now, and add more later as the need arises.  Seems to be the best compromise between having what you need, and avoiding needlessly butchering up the top of the workbench you put so much effort into building and flattening....

   Jeff

8. 
   Telemike | May 05, 2007 08:26am | #9

   For years we cursed all the dog holes in the orchard. They were everywhere the golden boy smelled gopher. Now, with both dogs in the ground inside a month and a half I'd take all the dog holes I can get.

1. 
   jeff100 | May 06, 2007 11:38am | #10

   Man that's sad.  I'm sorry for your loss...

   Regards,

   Jeff

    

9. 
   blewcrowe | May 08, 2007 05:31pm | #11

   In my view, it's hard to have too many. And not just along the edge.

   Ever have a four sided piece to sand or work on? A piece where two of the sides run at opposite angles? And the piece defies holding still between two dogs?

   Some dogs placed about on the back side of your bench serve to solve that problem.