In my early days as a woodworker, when I lacked a proper woodworking vise, I held workpieces using a simple arrangement of hand-screw clamps. I’ve used a similar setup to help teach woodworking to kids and other newcomers to the craft.
Mike Taylor of Taylor Toolworks recently alerted me to a helpful variation on my approach. Instead of using additional hand screws to hold down the one that’s acting as a vise, you can simply drill holes in it and secure it to a bench or tabletop using F-style clamps with a bar-type tip. These specialty clamps are sold for holding down T-tracks and securing fences. Manufacturers include Milescraft and MicroJig.
To protect the surface of a desk or table, place a piece of plywood underneath the hand screw. (This step is particularly important when working with kids, or on your dining-room table.)
Since it’s nearly impossible to drill the necessary holes on the drill press, I used a doweling jig to guide my cordless drill. But you can also guide the drill by eye.
—Doug Stowe, Eureka Springs, Ark.
Fine Woodworking Recommended Products
Double Sided Tape
A thin woven core makes XFasten tape strong yet not too thick (0.008 in.), and helps it hold powerfully without being difficult to peel off.
Hedgehog featherboards
The Hedgehog’s unique spiral shape and single knob make it easy to set up and fast to adjust.
MicroJig Matchfit dovetail clamps
These unique clamps have angled tips that hold templates and fences in place without getting in the way.
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