Mike G
Petrified Pine
Could someone please measure the diameter of the shaft of their holdfast. I have a local blacksmith who has proven to be extremely cheap and good, and I want to get a price from him for making one or two.
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Holdfasts
- Thread starter Mike G
- Start date
I have some of the ones from the group buy on UKW about 10 years ago, made by the late Richard T. I'll post the link to the thread below, I've just looked through the first couple of pages but can't find the size, but I'm sure it's mentioned in there somewhere (someone mentioned 3/4" steel bar).
I've just been out to the workshop but sod's law mine are in a packing case at the bottom of a large stack so I can't get to them right now. If the link doesn't help let me know and I'll head back out when I have a minute and see if I can liberate them...
https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/threads/ho ... ith.42256/
EDIT : One comment in that thread... "BTW the diameter of the important bit (the straight bit that goes in the bench hole) Tom is 18.2mm or 0.72" or thereabouts - please don't ask what that is in fractions. I don't think it's all that critical TBH considering the variation in hole size that they tolerate. I reckon the angle of the bend may be the clever bit, since it's that along with the length of the "head" which dictates the skewing force in the hole and hence the friction to lock it in place."
FURTHER EDIT : Richard's first attempt was 5/8" bar in a 3/4" hole. Then I think it seemed he settled on 18mm.
I've just been out to the workshop but sod's law mine are in a packing case at the bottom of a large stack so I can't get to them right now. If the link doesn't help let me know and I'll head back out when I have a minute and see if I can liberate them...
https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/threads/ho ... ith.42256/
EDIT : One comment in that thread... "BTW the diameter of the important bit (the straight bit that goes in the bench hole) Tom is 18.2mm or 0.72" or thereabouts - please don't ask what that is in fractions. I don't think it's all that critical TBH considering the variation in hole size that they tolerate. I reckon the angle of the bend may be the clever bit, since it's that along with the length of the "head" which dictates the skewing force in the hole and hence the friction to lock it in place."
FURTHER EDIT : Richard's first attempt was 5/8" bar in a 3/4" hole. Then I think it seemed he settled on 18mm.
johnward
Sapling
Mike, I've just been out to check the diameter of mine. They are both 18mm.
Mine are also Richard T's
Hope the images are clear enough . I am pretty certain I used a 19mm bit for the holes
Hope the images are clear enough . I am pretty certain I used a 19mm bit for the holes
Doug
Old Oak
Just a thought Mike I’ve two of Richard T’s holdfasts they’ve had minimal use, I’d part with them for £20 if you were interested dunno what postage would cost mind as they’re not light.
Phil Pascoe
Old Oak
Those definitely fit a 19mm hole.
Of interest only.
In 2011 it cost £11.96 to post my two holdfasts to France. I'd hate to think what the cost is now, never mind the paperwork.
In 2011 it cost £11.96 to post my two holdfasts to France. I'd hate to think what the cost is now, never mind the paperwork.
Cabinetman
Sequoia
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2020
- Messages
- 5,348
- Reaction score
- 1,082
- Location
- Lincolnshire Wolds + Massachusetts
- Name
- Ian
Apologies for the way my mind works, is there a cost benefit with regard to size versus weight, large box full of helium balloons and one pair of holdfasts, suspect it would have to be a very large box lol.
Ian
Ian
Cabinetman":2jsmivum said:
The writers of rules are a step ahead of you Ian - this is from the Royal Mail list of prohibited items:
Balloons filled with non-flammable gases
International - Not allowed in the mail
UK - Allowed in the mail, with restrictions and packaging guidelines below:
Must be clearly marked on the outer packaging with the words' BALLOONS FILLED WITH NON-FLAMMABLE GAS'.
Additional general advice: Ensure adequate cushioning material and place in a suitable rigid outer container.
https://personal.help.royalmail.com/app ... -customers
I too have some of Richard's excellent holdfasts. They are 18mm diameter bar and work well in a 3/4" hole.
I believe the ones that Matthew sells at Workshop Heaven are very similar.
Cabinetman
Sequoia
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2020
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- 5,348
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- 1,082
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- Lincolnshire Wolds + Massachusetts
- Name
- Ian
There’s always somebody wanting to spoil the fun isn’t there Andy! Wonder why though.
What nobody seems to make much mention of is the way the holdfasts work in the hole, and the fact that the thicker the bench top the slightly larger the hole needed to get the same angle and grip. With careful thought it isn’t necessary to counterbore the underside of the bench.
I accidentally updated my iPhone the other night, and it is now doing its own punctuation, (badly). It’s driving me nuts anybody know how to turn it off?
What nobody seems to make much mention of is the way the holdfasts work in the hole, and the fact that the thicker the bench top the slightly larger the hole needed to get the same angle and grip. With careful thought it isn’t necessary to counterbore the underside of the bench.
I accidentally updated my iPhone the other night, and it is now doing its own punctuation, (badly). It’s driving me nuts anybody know how to turn it off?
thetyreman
Nordic Pine
the simon james ones are around 18mm
Cabinetman
Sequoia
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2020
- Messages
- 5,348
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- 1,082
- Location
- Lincolnshire Wolds + Massachusetts
- Name
- Ian
Thank you both, I suspect Roger's help might be more useful! Done that so let's hope it works.
Phil Pascoe
Old Oak
Doug":11a9l8iq said:
I'll take them please if Mike doesn't want them.
Argus
Sapling
I bought a couple of hold-fasts on the 'other places' site quite some while ago, ten or more years, I think, so they may well be a couple of Richard T's. I recall that the maker said at that time that they were part of an initial batch.
They look the same as the ones in the pictures and I have drilled 3/4 inch holes as and where needed in the bench top - so, there's isn't a strict pattern of locations.
They are part of an array of holding bits and pieces on the bench ..... vices, dogs, pegs, wedges etc.
They have been in fairly regular use, and the only thing that has been needed over the years is to add a couple of lines of centre-punch marks on the backs and insides of the neck to overcome the tendency to slip occasionally on polished faces of the insides of the holes in the bench - the most used holes became compressed and shiny with use...... but I understand that this was considered a normal practice with benches.
In response to the original question, I don't think that the holes sizes is critical, as such; the shaft needs to have enough room to slide and at the same time loose enough to be able to lock in place at three significant points.
To this effect, I'd suggest that there needs to be a minimal bench-top thickness for the thing to lock effectively. In my mind, this comes out at about 2 inches to avoid it tending to work loose when you're at work.
As a PS to all that, I did look up my holdfasts and they were supplied by Richard T in about 2012 - 25 quid the pair! Brilliant value!
Anyway, I used 3/4 inch holes because all my augers of that size are Imperial.
They look the same as the ones in the pictures and I have drilled 3/4 inch holes as and where needed in the bench top - so, there's isn't a strict pattern of locations.
They are part of an array of holding bits and pieces on the bench ..... vices, dogs, pegs, wedges etc.
They have been in fairly regular use, and the only thing that has been needed over the years is to add a couple of lines of centre-punch marks on the backs and insides of the neck to overcome the tendency to slip occasionally on polished faces of the insides of the holes in the bench - the most used holes became compressed and shiny with use...... but I understand that this was considered a normal practice with benches.
In response to the original question, I don't think that the holes sizes is critical, as such; the shaft needs to have enough room to slide and at the same time loose enough to be able to lock in place at three significant points.
To this effect, I'd suggest that there needs to be a minimal bench-top thickness for the thing to lock effectively. In my mind, this comes out at about 2 inches to avoid it tending to work loose when you're at work.
As a PS to all that, I did look up my holdfasts and they were supplied by Richard T in about 2012 - 25 quid the pair! Brilliant value!
Anyway, I used 3/4 inch holes because all my augers of that size are Imperial.
Phil Pascoe
Old Oak
If you're purpose drilling the bench, think about anything else it could be useful to bolt down - I can bolt my morticer and my drill stand down through the same holes. I can swing the drill in its stand out over the vice which can be handy.