Holdfast gloat

Nice move...And by the way...

Victor Parisian

>YOU SUCK!!

Regards from Pearland,

Victor

Does size really matter?

Martin from Granbury, TX

>Hey Todd,

Why did you go large? I am going to buy some, but am debating which ones. I am leaning towards the smaller set.

Only drawback to large is you may need more space under you bench top...any others?

Thanks,

Martin, remove "5" for correct email.

Re: Holdfast gloat

John Hoffman

>Hi guys. I own two of Phil's hold fasts and they are great. I bought the large ones and have seen the small ones. I think the large ones give you more versatility then the small ones. If you use battens with them I don't see a need for the small ones in the work I am doing. Either way I am sure you will like them.

Regards

JH

Re: Holdfast gloat

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

>Martin,

Phil recommmended the larger ones. He said that they have a longer reach and allow you much more versitility than the smaller ones, and he also felt that they "lock-down" tighter.

Yes, bigger ones require more open space below the bench top, but that won't be a problem for me for me. I have drawes beneath ny bench top, and if I have too I'll simplyly remove the top ones. He told me how much clearance I'd need, but I've forgotten what it was. I don't recall it it being very much and it was of no consequence to me.

These are Christmas gifts to myself, but I intend to give them a quick "trial run" as soon as I get them. ;~)

Todd O.

Re: Holdfast gloat

Paul M. in San Diego

>Hi Todd,

I recently received my two large holdfasts from Phil. What a difference!

I've been using a cast-iron Jorgensen holdfast for the last couple of years. Use my Oak club (it's a big turned mallet) to beat the crud out of the holdfast to get it to hold in my 2.5" hard maple bench top. When I wanted to release it, I had to beat the crud out of the backside until it released. This cast-iron holdfast was so stiff that it just bounced the energy back without allowing any real holding strength.

I tried Phil's wrought-iron holdfasts, and gave it the typical whump with my club. This thing seated deep in the bench and didn't spring back up. One whump is all that is needed. It has enough spring to allow the holdfast to drop down into the bench, and then it sticks and holds the board down with the strength maintained from the blow. I've heard these were better, but it only took one whump to prove it! One whack to the backside releases cleanly. The Jorgy just met mister dustbin.

By the way, the large holdfasts are not really that large. These are a good size for woodworking. If you get the smaller ones with smaller reach, you'll just have to drill more holes into your benchtop to get these to hold boards where they're needed. Go large.