I'm on the hunt for some solid holdfasts and clamps for my workbench. I've tried some cheaper options from Amazon, but they didn't hold up well. Ideally, I'm looking for something with a no-slip grip and that allows for tool-free adjustments. My workbench has 3/4 inch dogholes and is made of 3-inch thick MDF. Any suggestions?
2 Answers
Check out the holdfasts from Gramercy Tools; I've been using them on my 4.5 inch maple bench with 3/4 holes, and they're fantastic! They're known for their reliability. For an extra grip, you can peen them for better hold, but just a heads up, it might wear out your holes eventually. To protect my bench, I added some leather to the gripping part using epoxy, and that worked wonders. Plus, if your holes do get damaged, they can easily be filled later on!
Thanks a lot! I love the idea of adding leather. I may try that on my current ones while getting these too!
You might also want to look into Gramercy or LordBlacksmith on eBay. They're pretty similar in performance, but each has its own slight differences.
Those sound awesome! I've had mine for ages, and they really are top-notch.