DIY T-Track Planing Stop for Narrow Boards
Bench dogs are one of my favorite ways to hold workpieces while hand planing. But what happens when a board is too narrow to span two adjacent dog holes in your workbench?
I ran into this problem recently and came up with a simple solution using a leftover piece of T-track, two hardwood dowels, and a couple of bolts.
The result is an adjustable planing stop that fits into the existing dog holes in your workbench. It's easy to make, quick to set up, and especially handy when working with narrow boards.
Make the Adjustable T-Track Planing Stop
Start with a piece of T-track that's longer than the spacing between two adjacent dog holes in your workbench.
Next, cut two pieces of 3/4"-diameter dowel, each 3" long. These serve as the posts that fit into the bench dog holes.
Drill a centered through-hole in each dowel using the drill press.
Slide a 3 1/2"-long, 1/4" hex-head bolt into the T-track for each post. Slip a dowel over each bolt and secure it with a washer and nut.
Adjust the Stop to Fit Your Workbench
The beauty of this setup is its adjustability.
Simply loosen the nuts and slide the dowel posts along the T-track until they match the spacing of the dog holes in your workbench.
Tighten the nuts and drop the posts into the holes.
The T-track now forms a continuous stop across the bench, providing support for narrow boards that wouldn't reach between two conventional bench dogs.
It's a quick, inexpensive way to get more versatility from your workbench using a few parts you may already have around the shop.
Get More from Your Hand Planes
A good planing stop makes holding your workpiece easier. But getting a smooth surface also depends on proper plane setup and technique.
Learn how to adjust your smoothing plane, read grain direction, and make clean, controlled cuts for better results with your hand tools.
MASTER YOUR SMOOTHING PLANE → Tips & Techniques for Using a Smoothing Plane
