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Veritas "holddown" and other holdfasts

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Veritas "holddown" and other holdfasts

#1

Veritas "holddown" and other holdfasts

VTAndy4


>Hi,

I've built my benchtop -- 4" thick poplar (6' long x 2' wide) for what will eventually become a Roubo bench.

Recently I drilled some 3/4 inch holes through it in order to test out some holding hardware that I got. The holdfasts by Grammercy Toolworks work like a charm -- I'm totally pleased with them: a big thanks to Joel for making these available so reasonably!

I also have a Veritas "holddown", which is also supposed to function in a 3/4" hole.

Does anyone have any success using one of these? I find that the "scales" make it very difficult to get the thing in and out of the hole. I ended up "threading" it down the hole, which seemed to take a long time for what I had imagined would be a "fast" method of holding battens or work down. Once in place, I find it wonderfully effective.

My question is: has anyone had the same issue with the holddown, and if so, what solutions were found? I have considered modifying it. Would it hurt if the thing was a bit

On the other hand, I actually got the Veritas holddown to use on the Roubo bench's leg, as suggested by Chris in his article and blog, so perhaps it with more or less remain in position on one of the legs -- once they are built!

-Andy

Re: Veritas "holddown" and other holdfasts

#2

Re: Veritas "holddown" and other holdfasts

Frank D. in Montreal


>Hi Andy,

I have a couple of Veritas holdfasts which I like a lot. Your holes are probably just a little too tight. I'd just take a file or a round rasp and open them up just a wee bit--you should be able to slide them in or out realtively easily. You might also want to chamfer the top edge of the holes, otherwise the threads on the shaft can pull out the occasional splinter.

Re: Veritas "holddown" and other holdfasts

#3

Re: Veritas "holddown" and other holdfasts

ThomD


>Mine works great, but I would wonder if your traditional ones work great, what the chance is they will all work in the same hole.

Re: Veritas "holddown" and other holdfasts

#4

Re: Veritas "holddown" and other holdfasts

Edward J


>Haven't yet bought a Veritas holddown, but I'm sorely tempted to. I have compromised though. I bought a "Vicegrip" type tool made for drill presses. The threaded shaft on this tool was too short for my 2" thick table so, I threaded on a connector for 1/2" redi-rod, filed the hex shaped connector round to fit my 3/4" holes and then threaded on a 3" piece of 1/2" redi-rod, thus extending the shaft of the tool. To use, I insert the tool through the dog holes, fasten underneath with a large wing nut and use the "Vice-grip" type clamping action on my work. True, not as simple as just inserting a hold-down, but vey effective and cheap....

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