Telescoping Hold-Down

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Hold-down clamps are an effective way to secure work in process, as when pattern routing the flag cutting board on page 48. Unfortunately, most commercial hold-downs are restricted to a fairly limited reach. If the sizes of the workpieces vary, you need to remove and reposition a clamp in another jig mounting hole. Not wanting to turn my templates into Swiss cheese or waste time rearranging clamps, I make my own wooden versions. These include long slots that allow easy extension or retraction to increase or reduce reach. They cost a fraction of the price of commercial versions, and are quick and easy to produce. I have made enough that I can dedicate a batch to any particular jig, which is less time consuming than switching them out from one set-up to another. 

—Scott Grove, Canandaigua, New York