Holdfast

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Jeff Saylor

Well-known member
I'm looking to purchase a holdfast for my workbench.  The holes for my stops are 3/4" dia.  What size holdfast would you go with- 5/8" dia. shaft?  Also, any particular brand prefered (or ones to stay away from!).
 
Jeff, I have a holdfast from Woodcraft. Its a pretty simple tool just a piece of steel with a bent end. One drives it into a hole in the bench. I think it's 3/4 diam., and the flat end tightens down on the workpiece. I assume this is the type you are looking at. It has no brand name that I'm aware of, and it was relatively cheap, maybe around $10. I highly recommend this, it is efficient and "fast". Cheap enough that I have 4 or 5 around.
 
I had a Woodcraft holdfast I purchased around 1980 or so that worked great. I picked up a couple more about ten years ago, and they snapped like a twig the first time I tried to use them, so I couldn't recommend those. I have a pair from Tools For Working Wood that work extremely well. I don't know what diameter they are offhand, but they work great in my 3/4" dog holes, and they are taller and have a longer reach that the aforementioned Woodcraft holdfasts.
 
The Prentice Store (757-229-1000, ext. 2117) at Colonial Williamsburg sells hold fasts made by their blacksmiths.  I bought 4 several years ago.  They work great!  The shaft is much longer so you can hold a 4" piece of wood to your bench and the throat (reach) is also deeper.  The shafts are a heavy 3/4" dia. (drill 7/8" holes in your bench).  Before these I used Woodcraft holdfasts which I now consider to be "Mickey Mouse" compared to the CW ones.  I use mine almost everyday.  You won't be disappointed with the CW holdfasts.

Dennis Bork
Antiquity Period Designs, Ltd.
 
I suspect that the holdfast that snapped was an inexpensive cast copy; cast iron is quite stiff and brittle compared to a forging that would be elastic, and tough.

A big problem with offshore parts today in many areas is that often the copiers (and even the importers) have little knowledge of the various manufacturing processes; a copy made of metal seems like the original. Things were forged for a reason, now often forgotten.

Karl
 
Karl,

You are so right.  That is why we need to have these types of items (all items) made in the USA again.

Dennis Bork
 
I agree with Dennis, The holdfasts from CW work very well. I have 2 from 1998 and 2 from 2004. All are a little different as for the throat width but that is hand made. At one time I had two blacksmiths produce me 2 holdfasts each, they are a little shorter in the throat but still hold wood extremely fine.

When I was down in Williamsburg this past year I checked out the holdfasts at the Prentis store and they seam to have a wider foot then the ones I have. Different blacksmith and a different time I would guess. So my vote is for the CW holdfasts.

 
Thanks to all for the replies.  I did a quick google search on holdfasts and found out the following:

1.  Stay away from the cast ones- they're junk!
2.  There are a few blacksmiths out there with an excellent product- but quite expensive (up to $129/ pair)
3.  Gramercy Tools holdfasts seem to be the most talked about and liked of all the store bought ones and they're priced right (around $32/pair).

Tools for Working Wood carries the Gramercy Tools holdfasts and they are listed for fitting 3/4" holes but they don't state the actual shaft size.  I can only assume it's 5/8".

I've got some big meathooks laying around somewhere- maybe I'll fire up the oxy-acetylene torch and get creative!
 
"Tools for Working Wood carries the Gramercy Tools holdfasts and they are listed for fitting 3/4" holes but they don't state the actual shaft size.  I can only assume it's 5/8"."

it's a hair under 3/4" maybe 3/4 less 1/32" I forget the actual diameter but it's an odd size.
We will have more in stock in about a week. 
 
Jeff- Cast ones are not always junk. I have some old ones I got at Woodcraft years ago that are really good. Some of the new cast  ones, as some have pointed out, ARE junk. I snapped two in half while working at another shop. "Taiwan" cast into the head. Avoid!-Al
 
I have a set of Joel's holdfasts and they are excellent and affordable.  They are capable of fine degrees of adjustment to the holding power.  Because these are bent in a semi gentle curve at the head angle, instead of a sharp right turn like a proper forged one, they take a little (tiny) bit more to dislodge.  They don't really have a dislodgement striking point like a forged one does, or should.  I've found that the mallet I have with the green rubberish membrane around it is best for setting these.  I've developed the habit of smacking the shaft under the bench to loosen them when convenient; this is easier for me than trying to smack the top.  I also wish that Joel would offer a longer shaft length option.  Sometimes I want to hold down something pretty tall, like a foot or so.

Regards.

JD
 
wallysandcrab said:
They don't really have a dislodgement striking point like a forged one does, or should.  I've found that the mallet I have with the green rubberish membrane around it is best for setting these.  I've developed the habit of smacking the shaft under the bench to loosen them when convenient; this is easier for me than trying to smack the top.  I
Click to expand...

Try stirking them on the back the the crook while pulling up with your hand grasping at the top at the same time. Works for me at least.
 
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