Make this Cheap and Simple Dog Hole Jig!

I wanted an easy way to map out woodworking dog holes in my workbench and couldn't draw a grid because of a finished surface, so I decided to make a simple jig from plywood. I had a couple failures when trying to make a jig sandwich in the corner instead of only having a front-guide. I realized it would be easier with a single guide. This is similar to a rocker product except I didn't want to spend money on a one or two time use jig. I used the Milescraft handheld drill press attachment but an alternative would be a router pattern bit of some sort.
The size of the jig and spacing of each hole will of course vary depending on your workbench. Most people base the sizing off the max extension of their bench vise.

Here are dimensions of my jig:
top plate:
- 14" long
- 12" wide
- 5" front to center hole spacing
- 4" side and rear center hole spacing
- 3" spacing between holes
edge guide:
- 14" long
- 1" wide

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[fangerwoodworking]

I wanted an easy way to map out dog holes in my workbench and couldn't draw a grid because of a finished surface, so I decided to make a jig. I had a couple failures when trying to make a jig sandwich in the corner instead of only having a front-guide. I realized it would be easier with a single guide. This is similar to a rocker product except I didn't want to spend money on a one or two time use jig. I used the Milescraft handheld drill press attachment but an alternative would be a router pattern bit of some sort.
The size of the jig and spacing of each hole will of course vary depending on your workbench. Most people base the sizing off the max extension of their pony vise.

Here are dimensions of my jig:
top plate:
- 14" long
- 12" wide
- 5" front to center hole spacing
- 4" side and rear center hole spacing
- 3" spacing between holes
edge guide:
- 14" long
- 1" wide

[officerdoofy]

Simple, accurate and cheap. Great job

[johndeshiro]

If you want 3/4 inch dog holes 3 inches apart with a 4 inch border on either side and back you will need a board that is 16 1/4 inches long. It is 3 and 3/4 from center to center of each hole. That is 7 and 1/2 inches plus the 4 inch border on both sides total 15 and 1/2 inches wide. Start by drawing out with a pencil and square the 4 inch borders on the 3 sides and 5 on the front if you want the build in 1 inch edge guide, which I do recommend. You’ll see how to set your centers from there.

So 4 3/8 to first center then 3 3/4 twice and another 4 3/8. The 3/8 is half the size of your bit. For the columns it’s 4 3/8 then 3 3/4 and 5 3/8 for a total of 13 1/2.

[pierrex]

I'm more interested in how you drill the hole itself, as there are many ways to drill a 20mm hole. If not 19. Nice jig though.

[barwithm]

You should space the holes at 96 or 100mm. Most accessories are made following that standard.

[jimaspinii]

Nice video but for my ears it is harder to hear what you are saying w the music playing.

[saakyansergey]

Really useful, thanks! Quick question, is it formica laminate? Wondering if I use an auger bit instead of forstner, would it chip out laminate?

[mikeking]

Horrible, loud music and no explanation of how you managed to drill the holes in the guide on center.

[James_Gower]

Came hoping to see an ingenious way of drilling the holes in the jig at perfect centres and in perfect alignment, left disappointed.

[laurielyon]

It’s curious why some presenters, who would dearly like viewers to subscribe, choose an earsplitting soundtrack that is nothing but noise and completely detracts from content, content that might otherwise be appealing.
Once the noise began….I bailed!