Bench dogs and planing stops
Pegs, stops and clamps that hold work on a bench top, and how each one differs from its neighbours.
Bench dogs and planing stops are small fittings that hold work on a bench top without a clamp. They fit into holes in the top and stand up from its surface. Each one does a different job, and each suits a different kind of work.
Parts and fittings
- Dog hole
- A round or square hole bored through the top, spaced across it. Dog holes take dogs and clamps, and their spacing sets where work can be placed.
- Bench dog
- A peg or block that fits a dog hole and stands proud of the top. Work is pressed against it, usually with a second dog or with a clamp.
- Planing stop
- A block or peg set near one end of the bench, against which a board is pushed while it is planed, so that it does not slide.
- Hold-fast
- A clamp that fits through a hole in the top and grips the work from above, with a screw or a spring. It is used where a vise cannot reach.
How they differ
| Fitting | Sits in | Holds work by | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bench dog | Dog hole in the top | Pressing work against it or a second dog | Boards laid on the top for planing or chiselling |
| Planing stop | Hole near one end of the top | Stopping a board pushed against it | Planing long boards |
| Hold-fast | Hole in the top | Gripping the work from above | Work too large for the vise |
A stop and a dog often work as a pair. The stop takes the end of the board, and a dog or the vise holds the other end or the side. Because dog holes are spaced across the top, the bench can hold work in many positions without moving the fittings.