A good workbench is more than just a flat surface — it’s a workholding system. When it’s set up with well-placed dog holes, it becomes one of the most versatile tools in the workshop. Whether you’re planing, chiselling, routing, or sanding, the dog-hole bench is the quiet partner that makes hand tool work easier, faster, and safer.
The Basics: Dogs, Holdfasts, and Stops
At its core, the dog-hole system is simple: holes spaced along the benchtop let you use bench dogs, holdfasts, and other accessories to secure your work.
Bench Dogs act as adjustable stops for planing and sanding. Used in tandem with a tail vise or horizontal bench dog clamp, they hold a board firmly while keeping the top surface free of clamps.
Holdfasts apply downward pressure with a quick tap — perfect for chiselling, routing, or carving. They grip fast, release with a tap, and never get in your way. They are also available in a screw-clamp style if you prefer to dial-in the pressure.
Planing with Confidence
Planing is where a dog-hole bench truly shines. Set a dog just proud of the surface, position your board against it, and push forward — the piece stays still, your stroke stays smooth, and there’s nothing for your plane to catch on.
For longer boards, add another dog or a tail vise to secure the far end. If you’re planing across the grain or at an angle, a side stop or holdfast can keep things rock-solid without needing clamps.
Chiselling and Routing
When you’re chopping mortises, cleaning up dados, or trimming joints with a chisel, stability is everything. A quick-setting holdfast is the fastest way to lock your workpiece down — one tap and it’s secure, one more and it’s free again.
For routing or detail work, pair a holdfast with a batten or a scrap backing board to hold parts flat and protect delicate surfaces. It’s a simple, adaptable system that suits almost any shape or size of work.
Working Vertically
Dog holes aren’t just for the benchtop — they’re just as useful in the apron or legs of the bench. Side-mounted holdfasts make it easy to secure boards on edge for planing or joinery. You can even clamp panels upright for shooting, trimming, or marking out.
Customising Your Setup
No two benches are the same. The beauty of a dog-hole system is how easily it adapts to the work you do. Add holes where they make sense for your projects, and don’t be afraid to make custom dogs, wedges, or stops from scrap hardwood.
Here at the Melbourne Tool Company, we love dog-hole benches and always keep a small collection of accessories on hand — dogs, holdfasts, planing stops, and battens — ready to mix and match for each task. The result is a workbench that feels responsive, almost alive, in the way it supports your hand tool work.
The Takeaway
A well-thought-out dog-hole bench turns your workbench into a flexible, efficient holding system. With just a few simple accessories, you can hold almost anything — flat, square, or oddly shaped — securely and safely. For the hand tool woodworker, it’s the key to working with freedom and precision.