Work bench dog clamp.

[preprius]

I got a harbor freight workbench. It has holes for clamping. These are called dogs holes.  

I got this idea that harbor freight's toggle clamps could be used as dog clamps.

So I created a base for the toggle clamp.  I got 3/4" dowel and then cut a slot in the dowel.  Now I can cut half rounds in a wood base to match the dowel.   It would be hard to do this by hand but scroll saw worked very well.

It turns out this specific toggle clamp sucks big time for this application. 

But the dowel and base works pretty well.  I will just cut off the toggle clamp.

[BadBob]

8 hours ago, preprius said:

It turns out this specific toggle clamp sucks big time for this application. 

Why does it suck?

[Rolf]

Great idea!  Clamping is always an interesting challenge. I didn't know HF carried the cam clamps. I bought a Kreg Mobile project center several years ago, thinking I would fold it up when not in use. It has never been put away. Kreg has some interesting clamps that may give you some ideas.  These are amazing  and pop right into the holes,  https://www.kregtool.com/shop/clamping/clamps/in-line-clamp/KBCIC.html

I also made these. One is a metal electric box cover on a dowel that I use for a light with a magnetic base, The other block of wood with the slot, I made several of them and they hold my bar clamps when edge gluing.

Edited October 26 by Rolf

[preprius]

2 hours ago, BadBob said:

Why does it suck?

The pressure to activate the clamp is up and toward the piece your clamping. This tries to pull the base out of the hole. Then as the clamp starts putting pressure on the clamping piece it then puts pressure the other way.   So pressure changes direction from the aspect of the hole.

The toggle clamp has to be adjusted within a 1/4 inch to actual work correctly. 

The better clamp is the one thar you pull down away from the clamped piece.

 

my joint using a scroll saw does work well. If I do another one it will be with 1/2" purple heart.  instead of 3/4" poplar.

Edited October 26 by preprius

[OCtoolguy]

On 10/26/2024 at 6:11 AM, Rolf said:

Great idea!  Clamping is always an interesting challenge. I didn't know HF carried the cam clamps. I bought a Kreg Mobile project center several years ago, thinking I would fold it up when not in use. It has never been put away. Kreg has some interesting clamps that may give you some ideas.  These are amazing  and pop right into the holes,  https://www.kregtool.com/shop/clamping/clamps/in-line-clamp/KBCIC.html

I also made these. One is a metal electric box cover on a dowel that I use for a light with a magnetic base, The other block of wood with the slot, I made several of them and they hold my bar clamps when edge gluing.

Rolf, what is your bench? I've been thinking of buying a portable work area. I have one of the original WorkMates but it's not always the right tool for the job.

[Rolf]

18 hours ago, OCtoolguy said:

Rolf, what is your bench? I've been thinking of buying a portable work area. I have one of the original WorkMates but it's not always the right tool for the job.

This video shows how it works and some things he didn't like which I have never had any problems with

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbgVJng7gy4

[OCtoolguy]

Thanks Rolf. There are so many to choose from and they all seem to have different things that I like or don't like. This one looks pretty neat. Sort of marries you to Kreg accessories though. Not a bad thing. I like most of their stuff.

[Rolf]

17 hours ago, OCtoolguy said:

Thanks Rolf. There are so many to choose from and they all seem to have different things that I like or don't like. This one looks pretty neat. Sort of marries you to Kreg accessories though. Not a bad thing. I like most of their stuff.

I already had some Kreg clamps from the pocket hole Jig. I use those clamps on a lot of other stuff.  But the inline clamps are super, When I first got them I was surprised that they were plastic. But they really work great especially when I sand stuff.