Slots for bench dogs

[Mitch from NYC]

I'm making a workbench and I've seen lots of examples of slots for bench dogs that have a notch cut at the top. I'm making my own bench dogs that will have a "spring" formed by a piece of pine that fits into a recession under the head and attached to a taper at the bottom of the dog with a screw.

My question is: should I cut a notch in the workbench slots or just leave it straight? Also, the bench dogs will be rectangular (not round) and at a slight angle.

Thanks!

[charlie b]

"Square" dogholes are much easier to cut when you do them on the edge of the stock - before glueing up the top. A router with a template guide collar and a template speeds things up and makes the holes uniform in demensions. The "notch" keeps the dog from falling into the hole. Dogs are often left in the bench and popped up when needed. Here's an example

you make your own "square" dogs go with hardwood for the dog AND the spring. The spring will get a lot of wear and pine wears very quickly.

Here's the url to the page showing some dogs I did that might give you some ideas.

luck wih your bench. Great tools.

charlie b

[DarylRos]

Mitch, the notch is very handy, because there are times when you want the bench dog almost (but not totally) inserted into the hole. Sometimes you need to hold thin stock while planing it.