Blacksmith and white smith Peter Ross made a copy of the holdfast shown in Andre Roubo’s “Art du Menuisier” using Roubo illustrations and specifications as a roadmap.
The result is impressive to say the least.
I wrote up a detailed description on my blog at Popular Woodworking Magazine. Check it out here. And definitely check out Peter Ross’s web site. If you need dividers, holdfasts, locks or hinges, you will not be disappointed.
— Christopher Schwarz
Impressive, to say the least.
I’ve taken a few blacksmithing classes and forged my own holdfast – not nearly as large – or as nicely done! – as yours.
http://tjic.com/archive/holdfast_2.jpg
Tremendous acting and a wonderful soundtrack. I smell a YouTube Oscar nod. I especially liked the “I give up” shrug after trying to move the clamped boards.
Seriously though, very nice holdfast. I saw some of Peter’s “normal” size one’s at Ed’s store in Pittsboro and they are fantastic.
This blog just makes me so darn happy.
well. um, it works. seemed to have a lot of compression in it, which is a good thing. now everyone is going to want a 30lb holdfast. the post office must love delivering massive tools to people.
So, the natural question is when would we regular folk be able to get our hands on one? Awesome in every respect!
Ask Peter to make you one!
Reblogged this on Mission Possible and commented:
Most impressive holdfast. I badly want one.
My wife said that’s one sexy stiletto!!
She is not a woodworker.
I don’t want one…I don’t think I’m man enough to lift it from dog hole to dog hole! 🙁
So basically you parked a car on your workbench. Very cool. Give us an update in 6 months on how much bigger your bicepts have grown hefting that monster around. ;D
I’m so used to watching you use “typical,” smaller holdfasts (typical for the 21st century, anyway), that it kinda looks like you took a sip or two from Alice’s bottle. Made me giggle. (No snort, though.)
“How do you know I’m mad?” said Alice.
“You must be,” said the Cat, “or you wouldn’t have come here.”
Also amused by the juxtaposition of scale. I would struggle to even lift that thing, but it looks cool.
“When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, “it means just what I choose it to mean—neither more nor less.”
(Sorry Chris…couldn’t resist posting my favorite Carroll quotation in response.)
Now THAT my friend, is a holdfast !!!!!
I have one of the crap ones. A tool shaped object made by a guy named TAIWAN. Looking closely, it’s obviously a casting.
As you’ve written, poor tools have turned many people off to hand woodworking. This piece of junk would make a body take up video games.
Impressive holdfast, but I love the mallet; where did it come from?
It is an English joiner’s mallet. Bought it from Tony Murland many years ago. Glen Huey makes a nice version.
And if things turn pear shaped in the shop, it also doubles as a field expedient melee weapon. You can never be too prepared for the coming zombie apocalypse.
Chris,
Way too cool. I’m betting the extra mass of this holdfast will prevent many of the additional taps needed during a project, just to make sure you haven’t loosened a bit.
Heck, if it wasn’t so heavy, it might just use it as a cane, knowing my holdfast was always with me. 😉
Best,
Lee Laird
Chris:
My Roubo bench has a 4″ thick top. With a 4″ thick top, I’m wondering if this holdfast really needs to be 18” long.
In this situation, do you think the holdfast would work just as well if it were a bit smaller, maybe with a 1 3/16″ diameter shank and approx. 16” long? If you will, give me your thoughts. Thank you!
– Will Robertson in Nashville