Quick & Easy DIY Wooden Bench Dogs
Bench dogs are some of the handiest accessories you can have for holding workpieces on your workbench. Used with a vise or another bench stop, they make it easy to secure boards for planing, sanding, and other woodworking tasks.
While metal bench dogs work well, I like using shop-made wooden bench dogs. They're inexpensive, won't mar your workpiece as easily, and won't damage a sharp tool edge if you accidentally bump into one.
Best of all, you can make a pair of bench dogs from a single piece of scrap wood.
How to Make Wooden Bench Dogs
Start with an extra-long hardwood blank. Cut it to a square cross section that matches the diameter of your workbench's dog holes. In my case, the holes are 3/4" in diameter.
The trick is to round over a portion of all four long edges while leaving a short, square section at each end.
Round Over the Edges
Using a router table and the technique shown in the illustration, round over the four edges of the blank.
This creates the rounded profile that fits into the bench dog holes.
Trim and Separate the Bench Dogs
Once the edges are rounded, trim the flat, square sections at the ends to the desired size.
Then cut the long blank in half to create two individual bench dogs.
Check the fit in your workbench holes. The dogs should slide into place without binding while remaining snug enough to support a workpiece.
Make a Few Extras
The nice thing about this method is that you can make several bench dogs in very little time.
Simply repeat the process with additional blanks, or prepare multiple pieces while your router table is set up.
And because they're made from wood, you won't have to worry as much about damaging your plane blade or chisel if you accidentally contact one.
It's a quick, inexpensive workbench upgrade that makes everyday workholding a little easier.
Another Handy Workbench Upgrade
Looking for another way to put your bench dog holes to work? This simple plywood hook stop anchors in two dog holes to hold narrow boards securely while hand planing or performing other woodworking tasks.
See how to make a DIY Bench Hook Stop and add another useful workholding accessory to your bench.
SEE THE BENCH HOOK STOP → Make a Simple Bench Hook Stop
