How to Cut a Square Bench Dog With a Jig

Woodworkers often make use of square holes in a workbench known as a "bench dogs." These square holes are drilled directly into a wood bench and are usually comprised of two parallel rows. This gives a woodworker the ability to set square pieces of lumber into the square holes to carve, sand or stain the wood pieces. To make square dog holes in a bench or another piece of flat wood, you only need a router and a jig to guide the cut.

Ruler
Marker
Safety glasses
Dust mask
Jig
Plunge router
Chisel
Hammer

Instructions

- 1
  Measure and mark the location of where you want to place bench dog holes, using a ruler and marker.
- 2
  Put on safety glasses and a dust mask. You will be drilling into wood and need eye protection as well as protection from flying dust.
- 3
  Set a jig over the marked lines on the wood, then place the plunger router on top of the jig. The jig will both steady and guide the plunge router to make your square bench dog cut in the wood.
- 4
  Set the plunge router to the appropriate depth you wish the bench dog hole to be. Plug the plunge router into an electrical outlet and press down, punching the router drill into the bench or lumber, creating a square hole. Repeat two to three times to make the square even. Continue to punch square holes as needed using the router, along with the jig to guide the router.
- 5
  Turn off the plunge router and let it cool for a few moments once you finish. Remove the jig from the wood and smooth the sides and bottom of the square cut using a chisel and a hammer to finish.

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