New holdfasts

[Richard Dooling]

Have you ever gotten a tool and wondered how you ever got along without it?

Well if you don’t have holdfasts for your bench, do yourself a favor and get some! I received two of the Gramercy holdfasts yesterday. They are very reasonably priced. I have some of another brand that have never worked right - I think it is because my top is too thick for that design. I decided to try again after seeing a video of Franz Klaus and Roy Underhill cutting dovetails.

As soon as I got the package I ran out and tried them. What a revelation. Whack! and the board is down really tight. Whack! and the board is loose and repositioned. I took a ¾” x 4” board clamped on edge and cut a ¼” mortise in the edge with everything nice and solid. This is going to improve and speed up any number of operations.

[D-Alan Grogg]

I'm very happy with my Gramercy holdfasts, as well.

[Larry Heflin]

Likewise, I'm very pleased with mine. After cleaning the new off, and giving them a light sanding they work perfectly

[Richard Dooling]

Larry is right. They need a little wipe down and Joel at TFWW advised me to roughen the shaft for a better grip. Sand around the shaft, not vertically.

[Greg Crawford]

Got mine at Woodcraft. It needed some smoothing of the hold down pad. When I saw how well it worked and how simple it was, I just started laughing. Here we are in the 21st century with tons of technology, and this crooked piece of steel works better than most new tools. I use it all the time now. I've thought about getting another, but just haven't seen the need.

[harry strasil]

I like mine better after I learned how to make them, Mine you hit where you should and the thin springy part that does the holding is a big plus.

[Brian Kent]

Yes, but is a Harry Strasil holdfast available for us mere mortals to buy?

[harry strasil]

its entirely possible, but mine are hand made and they won't fit in a 3/4 hole, 13/16 is best, but I could make a smaller shank that would work. have no idea of cost, only made them for myself so far.

[David Keller NC]

Not sure what Sir Harry would charge, but hand-made ones out of mild steel are generally around $120 a pair. While pricey compared the piece 'o junk cast iron ones, they hold work far better and don't break - ever.

[Dave Lehnert]

I'm very happy with my Gramercy holdfasts, as well.

Me too.

They are only $31.95 a pair. A BARGAIN!

[David Gendron]

I love mine, I did lined the pad face with leather and it's worth it no marring of the wood! I also have a paire of hand made one frome Galena Vilage Black Smith and dispite the higher price tag they are the best out there... so far... Sorry Harry, I would have to try yours for a test drive so what about a price for a paire that would fit a 3/4" dog hole??

[Richard Dooling]

David, I've seen a picture in a holdfast review of the Galena Vilage Black Smith version and it was a nice little piece of art - but what does one cost? The reviewer raved about them and the credentials are sure interesting!

http://www.galenavillageblacksmith.com/index.html

[harry strasil]

$120 a pair, Jeez, I don't use GOLD to make mine. LOL

[Bill Houghton]

I don't use GOLD to make mine.

Good thing - gold would be hard to temper to the right springiness. Unobtanium is better.

[Don C Peterson]

I too like the Gramercy holdfasts, but after Jr showed me the ones he made, I decided I could make my own hand forged holdfasts pretty easily and which might just be an improvement on the Gramercy's.

I don't weld mine like Jr., but I take a length of 5/8" round mild steel stock, and I flatten it out quite a bit where the gooseneck bend is to make it more springy. I now have 6 homemade and two of the Gramercy's. I like mine a bit better, the Gramercy holdfasts still get used, but they feel a bit too stiff now...