Building a Bench Hook for Safer Hand Sawing

Article 29: Building a Bench Hook for Safer Hand Sawing

By: A Woodworker Who Believes in Safety and Accuracy

A bench hook keeps your hands safe and guides your saw straight—every bench should have one.

Materials

• 3/4" plywood or hardwood base – 8"x12"

• 1 hardwood fence – 8"x1.5"x1"

• 1 hardwood hook – 8"x1.5"x1"

• Wood glue and brad nails or screws

Tools Needed

• Saw (table saw or handsaw)

• Drill or brad nailer

• Clamps

• Square

• Sandpaper

How-To

1. Cut the Base and Rails
   Cut the main board (8"x12"). Prepare a fence and hook from hardwood scraps.

2. Attach the Fence
   Glue and nail the fence on the top side, flush and square with the edge.

3. Attach the Hook
   Flip over and glue/nail the back stop (hook) along the bottom edge.

4. Finish
   Sand edges and corners. Add a few coats of wipe-on poly if desired.

Drawing

Top View:
┌────────────┐
│   Fence    │ ← holds workpiece
├────────────┤
│            │
│   Base     │
│            │
├────────────┤
│   Hook     │ ← braces against bench
└────────────┘