Woodworking bench system

Abstract

A woodworking bench and related fixtures providing an integrated system of bench features, vises, dogs, panel clamps, hold-downs and fixtures that cooperate to provide a highly flexible workpiece holding and clamping apparatus able to accommodate a wide variety of shapes and sizes of workpieces and hold such workpieces in an enormous variety of positions during numerous different operations. Two substantial slabs provide the bench top surface and carry a rectilinear pattern (in rows and files) of round, vertical bench dog holes. The rectilinear pattern of round bench dog holes with specific, equal spacing between holes, and similar holes in the edge of the top, facilitate great flexibility in clamping using conventional round dogs in the bench top holes and corresponding dogs in bench edge-mounted, or end-mounted vises. Such holes also accommodate other clamping, fixing and hold-down fixtures that contribute to flexibility and utility. The two slabs are separated by a tool trough, and optional bench top ends or caps span the ends of the slabs, unify the bench top structure and provide a fixed jaw for an end-mounted twin screw vise. Optional skirts form a deep longitudinal edge for the top and join the ends to form a rectangular frame for the top. Dog holes in the edge of the top permit workpieces to be fixed along the bench edge using the hold-down, two clamping bench dogs, or a fixed dog and either of the clamping dog or the twin screw vise.