Wedge Bench Stop
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| Fit the workpiece against the heel on the wedge, then slide both forward into the receiver until the stop securely grips the piece. | With thin parts, the wedge slides farther into the receiver. With this design, the bench stop can secure any workpiece larger than 5⁄8". |
This one takes advantage of one of the “simple machines” we learned about in elementary school: the inclined plane. This takes the form of a wedge. A heel on the wedge catches the end of a workpiece, as shown in the main photo. The wedge and workpiece combo slips into a matching receiver attached to the benchtop, locking both in place.
This design allows the bench stop to accept a wide range of workpiece sizes. I made mine from MDF, but plywood would work just as well. It’s a great way to use up scraps. Since it’s just screwed in place, I can take it off the bench if I need more flat space. Best of all, I have another option to keep a workpiece steady when my vise is in use. -Harold Ebbletrap Potter, Wisconsin
