Veritas Bench Blade

[Frank Pellow]

These were just announced by Lee Valley.  See: http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=64685&cat=51&ap=1

I'm thinking that the variation that has the wedge lock post might work very well on Festool's Multi-Funtion Table (MFT). I plan to buy a bench blade tomorrow (when returning a few duplicate Lee Valley gifts) and to find out.  Then, I will report back in this thread.

 

[harry_]

Yes please, do let us know [thumbs up][drooling]

 

[jvsteenb]

Looks very promising....... but 1/4" of travel isn't going to make them very useful without an adjustable counterpart, is it ?
I'd hate to have to make a custom clamping jig/filler piece for every possible width i'd like to clamp...
A simple homebuilt wedging clamp can be made to span the 96 mm grid comparatively easy...

But I must admit they look quite sexy, and the low profile is a very nice feature....

Regards,

Job

 

[spikfot]

These were just announced by Lee Valley.  See: http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=64685&cat=51&ap=1

I'm thinking that the variation that has the wedge lock post might work very well on Festool's Multi-Funtion Table (MFT). I plan to buy a bench blade tomorrow (when returning a few duplicate Lee Valley gifts) and to find out.  Then, I will report back in this thread.

That looks great Frank. I'm wondering if the non-wedge lock variant might do the job and save a few bucks. Ill wait to hear your response before I order my own.
Good Eye!
Bill

 

[Frank Pellow]

Mini Review (post 1 of 2)

I purchased one of the wedge lock versions of the Veritas Bench Blades this afternoon and tested it out in my woodworking shed.

The good news is that the Bench Blade is of good quality and that it works as advertised.  [smile]  The bad news, for me anyway, is that I am not at all sure that I will be able to make much use of it.  ???

Here it is right out of the box:
[attachimg=#1]

And, here it is placed into a hole in My Festool MFT (multi-function table) with the blade slightly above the surface then tightened into position:
[attachimg=#2]

The following two pictures show the blade fully loosened, then fully tightened:
[attachimg=#3]  [attachimg=#4]
   
The difference is about 7mm (or 1/4 inch).

 

[Frank Pellow]

Mini Review (post 2 of 2)

Here, I have used the bench blade to clamp a small piece of walnut on my MFT:
[attachimg=#1]
 
The other side is being held in place by a Festool clamp that is higher than the surface of the walnut -thus the small plywood shim.  This setup works but demonstrates that, because there is only a small amount of movement in the bench blade, some other adjustable dog or clamp will also be needed to hold an object in position.

Another place that I can make use of a Bench Blade is in the holes in the end-vise on my my woodworking bench.  Because the holes are only 45mm deep, often my regular bench dogs project up higher than I would like:
[attachimg=#2]

That is not the case with a bench blade:
[attachimg=#3]

Of course, I could have accomplished the same thing by making some hardwood dogs that did not extend up as far as the metal ones.

I will keep this one Veritas Bench Blade but, at least for now, will not purchase any more.  I hope that I will find other places where it comes in handy and I do expect to hear from others of some good applications.

 

[harry_]

Frank,

I like the design of it, but it seems like it is something better suited to work with a 'fixed jig' and consistent sized pieces, than an open table for random boards?  [2cents]

 

[spikfot]

I make up spacers for my Festo MFT clamping 'eles all the time to comp for the height issue.
"The truth" be told, I've a soft spot(black hole) in my wallet for Veritas doodads. I'm going to order a pair before they double the price.