The Crucible Tool Blog- Make Your Own 1"-diameter Bench DogsBefore the 3/4” brass dogs made by Lee Valley Tools became the de facto standard size (and that 3/4” size seeped into other bits of bench hardware), most workbenches had 1”-diameter metal dogs and holdfasts. (In fact, some benches made in Western and Eastern Europe still use 1” or 25mm dogs and holdfasts.) I’ve always liked 1” dogs because they have more bea […]
- At the Erhart FoundryOur holdfasts are produced two at a time at the Erhart Foundry, which is in the old industrial quarter of Cincinnati – less than two miles from my workshop. It’s a family-run operation that has been in business since 1854; when you call them you still talk to an Erhart. Like most foundries I’ve visited, everything is red hot or soot black. No one in the plac […]
- Why a 1” Holdfast Hole?The No. 1 question we hear about our holdfasts is this: Why did you choose to make a holdfast that needs a 1” hole? Why not 3/4”, which is the standard? The quick answer: history, appearance and performance. HistoryThe ubiquitous 3/4” holdfast is a relatively modern creation. If I had to guess, I’d say that it came about after Lee Valley Tools started making […]
- How to Drill & Ream a Holdfast HoleOne of the reasons the Crucible Iron Holdfast works so well is there is a close fit between its untapered shaft and its hole in the workbench top. To get this tight fit, we think you need to drill each hole in your workbench and then gently ream it out a bit to get a nice, close fit. It takes about two minutes per hole. But the results are worth it. To bor […]
- Make Your Own 1"-diameter Bench Dogs
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Category Archives: Uncategorized
Forum Update 9/26
Good morning! Another weekend over and another busy week is upon us. No matter how crazy life is, make sure to take some time to read the forum and see what your fellow woodworkers are up to. Remember, if you have … Continue reading
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‘Stanley Catalogue No. 34’ Has Arrived
For the most part, facsimile editions of historical books don’t do much for me. The printing is muddy. The paper is a measly notch above groundwood (aka newsprint). And the binding is weak. The cover, however, always looks nice so … Continue reading
Posted in Stanley Catalogue No. 34, Uncategorized
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Crucible Tool is Now Open for Business
You can now visit crucibletool.com, and read up on our holdfasts, our new dividers and why we started this company. I’ll be adding a lot more blog entries in the coming week, including: How to retrofit a benchtop to use … Continue reading
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Crucible Tool Update & Dividers
Teaching and exhibiting at Woodworking in America – and launching a tool company – proved to be an around-the-clock yack-fest. As a result, we are just now putting the finishing touches on the Crucible Tool website and will almost certainly … Continue reading
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The WIA Hangover Forum Update
Happy Monday! (Editor’s note: She wrote this on Monday; I was lax in getting it posted.) Hopefully everyone has recovered from Woodworking in America (or has stopped scouring Instagram for the most recent updates like I was) and is ready … Continue reading
Posted in Campaign Furniture, Forum, Uncategorized
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‘Roubo on Furniture Making:’ An Update and a Change in Title
It was a grueling week at the Appalachian Shangri-la as Michele and I spent more than 40 hours reviewing the page proofs of “Roubo on Furniture Making;” me reading aloud every jot and tittle (including punctuation and typography), while she … Continue reading
Reminder: We are Open Tomorrow
John and I finished building the above rolling book display this afternoon. Pocket screws and Dragonply aren’t my favorite materials, but they do get the job done in a hurry. If you are in the area tomorrow, please stop by … Continue reading
Posted in Lost Art Press Storefront, Uncategorized
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