Greetings one and all -
I have a pair of 5/8" diameter holdfasts that I am wanting to put to work.
I drilled a 5/8" diameter hold and tried to ream it out a bit with the 5/8"
bit but the bench is 4" thick at that point (hard maple) and I clearly am
going to have to open up the holes a bit.  So here's my question - what
size hole is recommended?  I'm clearly going to have to go on-line and buy
a 21/32 bit ... or 11/16"?  I'm cheap.  I don't want to but a 21/32 and
find out it's too small - or a 11/16 and find out it's too big.
Help :)

Tom

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G'day Tom,

Just wanted to say that, to let you know that I haven't died, and 
despite the fall from grace of one of my heroes, Mr Keilor, and my 
prolonged silence (for no good nor real reason) , I'll still talk to 
proud residents of Minneapolis.

I dealt with this problem by buying Record / Marples/ Woden holdfasts 
on-line.  The primary consideration with them was that they still had at 
least one cast iron collar.  I know that they are cast rather than 
forged, and that with their screw action they are neither as quick 
acting, nor as fashionable as the bespoke blacksmith produced holdfasts, 
but they have given me 35 years of faithful service, and if ever I get 
around to building my "ideal bench" I'll use the same style of holdfast 
and collar but in the larger size.  On my small (narrow) bench the short 
reach of the smaller holdfast isn't the limiting factor on what I  can do.

As a bonus I have a pair of Phil Koontz's forged hold fasts; an 
over-the-top thank-you gift for a couple of books I found him on 
backyard iron casting which fit the collars perfectly.  Bets of both worlds.

None of which  answers your question.  As an answer to that   I'm 
assuming that you have already got a bench full of holes too small, 
unless you have a specialist engineering supplies firm which can supply 
a bit with a lead piece the diameter of the existing hole (I have centre 
bit used by boatbuilders to cut deck fastener plug holes) I can see no 
easy solution except either a large half-round file, or an eletrik 
router with a template chasing collar and an oversize bit.  How oversize 
is a matter of trial and error on a piece of scrap, NOT on your bench.

Please pass on my regards to Lyndall....

All the best, from hot and humid Hobart (Time 2345, Temp 20.5C, 49% RH 
which willl make you laugh no doubt!)

Tony B

3/4" holes work wonderfully with my 5/8"-shafted holdfasts.


-T

From: OldTools  on behalf of Thomas Johnson 
Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2018 7:05 AM
To: Tools Old
Subject: [OldTools] Holdfast holes

Greetings one and all -
I have a pair of 5/8" diameter holdfasts that I am wanting to put to work.
I drilled a 5/8" diameter hold and tried to ream it out a bit with the 5/8"
bit but the bench is 4" thick at that point (hard maple) and I clearly am
going to have to open up the holes a bit.  So here's my question - what
size hole is recommended?  I'm clearly going to have to go on-line and buy
a 21/32 bit ... or 11/16"?  I'm cheap.  I don't want to but a 21/32 and
find out it's too small - or a 11/16 and find out it's too big.
Help :)

Tom

> On Jan 18, 2018, at 7:05 AM, Thomas Johnson  wrote:
> 
> Greetings one and all -
> I have a pair of 5/8" diameter holdfasts that I am wanting to put to work.
> I drilled a 5/8" diameter hold and tried to ream it out a bit with the 5/8"
> bit but the bench is 4" thick at that point (hard maple) and I clearly am
> going to have to open up the holes a bit.  So here's my question - what
> size hole is recommended?  I'm clearly going to have to go on-line and buy
> a 21/32 bit ... or 11/16"?  I'm cheap.  I don't want to but a 21/32 and
> find out it's too small - or a 11/16 and find out it's too big.
> Help :)
> 
My holdfasts are 11/16" and live happily in 3/4” holes. As has been noted, a
5/8” HF will work fine in the 3/4” hole. Since you already have holes drilled,
an auger bit, if not Cook’s patent or similar, will not work to chase the hole.
I paid $10 at Harbor Freight for a set off four large twist bits and used the
3/4 bit to drill holes in my bench. The bits are 6 1/2 inches long so should be
able to fix your 4 “ bench — if you have something to drive a bit that size.

Bill