- Joined
- Feb 2, 2013
- Messages
- 3,957
Hey guys,
just thought i'd write up a very simple project that i did a couple months ago.
for the uninitiated, a bench hook is a simple Z-like shaped device, constructed form scrap wood.
you put 2 substantial cleats on opposing sides of a board, on the ends.
as implied, the bench hook sits on top of a bench.
the work is oriented so as to be planed, chiseled,sanded,filed, etc, with the forces being directed away from the hobbyist
the distal cleat is used to provide a stop for the work
the proximal cleat is used to provide a stop for the bench hook, on the bench/surface on which it is supported.
it is a very effective means of passively holding many odd or normal shaped projects, and can be made in dimensions to suit any condition or necessity
thanks to the venerable Roy Underhill, i discovered the bench hook-
I never had an effective means of holding my small Arkansas sharpening stones, other than employing the bench hook.
the method worked fine until i got a new set of stones from ebay
the stones were beautiful, on 5 sides
the problem is there are 6 sides to be accounted for
being natural stones, and inexpensive, the trade off was the large faces were not parallel or even close.
it was apparent that i had to come up with a method of holding them, that i had complete confidence in.
i know from practical experience that the bench hook is beyond reproach in its stability and usefulness.
i decided to form a hybrid of the bench hook and sharpening stone holder, dirt cheap.
i acquired a kitchen table from the 50's, that was being thrown out by a neighbor.
it was made from hard maple, i couldn't see the table get thrown away so i thought i'd recycle it into different projects,
this is one of those times....
the stones are 1-1/2"x 4" x 1/2" nominal dimensions
i marked location on a piece of maple approximately 6" x 10" x 1"
i chiseled out a well for both stones approximately 1/8" to 3/16" deep as the contour of the stones changed
that was a workout, maple works nice but you gotta have sharp tools and apply some force when working it.
i applied clear, 5 minute epoxy (from harbor freight -very cheap) to the wells in the hard maple
and nestled the stones, with the off angled sides in the well, into the base
i inverted the assembly and clamped it to the bench to achieve a relative flat plane on both stones in relation to the base.
i allowed overnight to cure , just for good measure.
i found an old wheelbarrow handle that had been broken into 2 pieces.
i cut up one of the handle pieces to use as the proximal cleat.
i secured it to the base through the holes that were already present in the base from when it was a table support member
and Baddabing, the hybrid!
works great and hangs on the wall when not needed!
as always,
thanks for reading!
just thought i'd write up a very simple project that i did a couple months ago.
for the uninitiated, a bench hook is a simple Z-like shaped device, constructed form scrap wood.
you put 2 substantial cleats on opposing sides of a board, on the ends.
as implied, the bench hook sits on top of a bench.
the work is oriented so as to be planed, chiseled,sanded,filed, etc, with the forces being directed away from the hobbyist
the distal cleat is used to provide a stop for the work
the proximal cleat is used to provide a stop for the bench hook, on the bench/surface on which it is supported.
it is a very effective means of passively holding many odd or normal shaped projects, and can be made in dimensions to suit any condition or necessity
thanks to the venerable Roy Underhill, i discovered the bench hook-
I never had an effective means of holding my small Arkansas sharpening stones, other than employing the bench hook.
the method worked fine until i got a new set of stones from ebay
the stones were beautiful, on 5 sides
the problem is there are 6 sides to be accounted for
being natural stones, and inexpensive, the trade off was the large faces were not parallel or even close.
it was apparent that i had to come up with a method of holding them, that i had complete confidence in.
i know from practical experience that the bench hook is beyond reproach in its stability and usefulness.
i decided to form a hybrid of the bench hook and sharpening stone holder, dirt cheap.
i acquired a kitchen table from the 50's, that was being thrown out by a neighbor.
it was made from hard maple, i couldn't see the table get thrown away so i thought i'd recycle it into different projects,
this is one of those times....
the stones are 1-1/2"x 4" x 1/2" nominal dimensions
i marked location on a piece of maple approximately 6" x 10" x 1"
i chiseled out a well for both stones approximately 1/8" to 3/16" deep as the contour of the stones changed
that was a workout, maple works nice but you gotta have sharp tools and apply some force when working it.
i applied clear, 5 minute epoxy (from harbor freight -very cheap) to the wells in the hard maple
and nestled the stones, with the off angled sides in the well, into the base
i inverted the assembly and clamped it to the bench to achieve a relative flat plane on both stones in relation to the base.
i allowed overnight to cure , just for good measure.
i found an old wheelbarrow handle that had been broken into 2 pieces.
i cut up one of the handle pieces to use as the proximal cleat.
i secured it to the base through the holes that were already present in the base from when it was a table support member
and Baddabing, the hybrid!
works great and hangs on the wall when not needed!
as always,
thanks for reading!
