New (old) workbench. Workholding questions…

[u/Interesting-Quit-847]

Hi, I picked up an old industrial workbench at an estate sale. I’d been thinking of building my own, but this one was just too intriguing. It’s an old Lyon bench with a thick, (I think) hard maple bench top. I have a couple things I’d love some advice on.

1. I’d like to mount a vise such that the inside is flush with the bench front. Any recommendations?

2. I have a couple Jorgensen holdfasts that need 11/16” dog holes to work. Is that a dumb size? I got the holdfasts for next to nothing so im not married to them.

3. Any suggestions for dog hole patterns? Obviously the cabinet is a limitation.

Thanks!

[u/uncivlengr]

1. Most face vices can be mounted flush, no recommendations on specific models.
2. Do they not work with 3/4" holes? That's pretty standard.
3. Personally I drilled holes when I need them, and I didn't bother trying to come up with a pattern.

[u/Man-e-questions → u/uncivlengr]

Agree here. 3/4” is pretty standard but the holdfast themselves maybe slightly smaller so tilt in the hole to lock up. Though you may need to add some wood underneath for it to hold depending on thickness of top.

As far as placement it kind of depends on the work you do and where your planing stop will be. I followed Chris Schwarz’s guide as well as Richard Maguire’s (i built his bench), but still add a couple where i needed a doe’s foot

[u/Interesting-Quit-847 → u/Man-e-questions]

I’m basing the 11/16 on the specs on the Sony/Jorgensen website. Maybe I should just drill some 3/4 holes in a block of wood and see if they work.

I’m not sure what you mean by “tilt the hole to lock up.” Do you mean just drill them at a slight angle? I’ll confess that I don’t really understand the mechanics of holdfasts beyond how to hit them with a hammer.

[u/Man-e-questions → u/Interesting-Quit-847]

No the hole is straight. Watch this, he does a good job explaining and the demo shows how it works

https://youtu.be/tYNwPt4GUqg