Hold Fasts (pic) *LINK*

Re: Hold Fasts (pic)

John Hoffman

>Computer again, I swear it's not the user!! For some reason the pic is too large and woodcentral server is giving me a message. Will post if I can figure it out.

Sorry

JH

Re: Hold Fasts (pic)

Dan Donaldson

>If you can't get it down to size, e-mail it to me and I will fix it for you.

Top notch!

Steve Kubien

>I've also got a pair (along with one made at Darrell's and 2 from Highland Hardware). The one's from Phil are amazing, closely followed by the one from Darrell's (sorry Darrell, the one we made just isn't as pretty). I cannot recommend the ones from Highland. The require too much force to set and they don't hold that well.

Regards,

Steve Kubien

Just what I need

Todd O. Cronkhite Maine Native in FL. Exile :~(

>Went to the Galena websire twice and each time I got the message Internet Explorer just crashed and had to go thru the process to get back on-line. didn't get to find out if they'll work in my bench holes. I have 3/4" diameter holes in a bench top that is 3 1/4" thick. Will Jakes holdfasts work for me? how much are they, how do I order?

Todd O.

They'll work

Steve Kubien

>Todd,

My bench is about 3.25" thick (construction grade 2x4's on edge and surfaced a bit) and the holes are 3/4". No problem at all. I just accessed Phil's site with no problem. Google "Galena Village Blacksmith" and you'll get there. The other option is info@galenavillageblacksmith.com or 907-656-2328.

How's the plywood on the windows holding up?

Best regards from 'not-a-hurricane-in-sight' Ajax Ontario

Steve Kubien

Re: Top notch!

Darrell in Oakville

>Hiya Steve,

My holdfasts are pretty gruesome, eh? But yes they do work. From what I've seen, plus my own experience making holdfasts, I'd say that anything even remotely holdfast-shaped will work just fine, as long as there's just a bit of flex in it.

Darrell

Wood Hoarder, Blade Sharpener, and Occasional Tool User

Re: Just what I need

John Hoffman

>Tod, I got two of the large ones. They were $105 including shipping. Phil will do them or "Jake the Russian" depending on how busy they are.

Took about two to three weeks to get them.

Good luck

JH

Here's a

Fred G - Cincinnati

>I got mine from Phil about 2 years ago. They were made by his buddy Jake. They work very well, look great, and Phil is an easy and good guy to talk to.

Re: Hold Fasts (pic)

John Hoffman

>Thanks to Dan here is the pic.

Re: Hold Fasts (pic)

Paul M. in San Diego

>It looks to me like the first thing that touches is the fine point of the leaf. When you seat these holdfasts, does that pointy leaf create a sharp indentation in the wood? I usually use a block of scrap between piece and holdfast, but this pointy bit looks like it has a serious downward point.

Looks can be deceiving

Steve Kubien

>The point does not dig in as it looks. Phil makes these things correctly and the 'leaf pad' makes contact. If you ever did have a problem, it would be a simple matter of smoothing the bottom of the pad. I doubt you would ever need to.

Cheers,

Steve Kubien

Re: Hold Fasts (pic)

J Hoffman

>Ditto, the underside of the leaf touches the wood and there is no point. As you pound the holdfast down the underside of the leaf rolls onto the wood (away from the point of the leaf). That said if I was working on a finished planed piece I would use a scrap to protect the surface as the holdfast is still metal and is clamping the piece tightly. Very tightly if desired.

Regards

JH

Re: Hold Fasts (pic)

Paul M. in San Diego

>Thanks! I think I need to put in an order for some of those. I have the Highland Hardware one that was previously disparaged on this thread, and I agree that it's holding power in my 3.5" hard-maple bench leaves something to be desired.

Re: Hold Fasts (pic)

Dean J in MN

>FWIW --

I have the lovely 'gold-leaf' holdfasts as well. They hold very well in my 4+" hard maple top.

-Dean