Here's a way to clamp long boards to work on that the Ancient Romans used.
I read about it and then made my own. Very simple and really effective hold. Especially when hand planing. 

 

(For reasons I can't explain a little white window appears on each of my photos. Weird. Please ignore this)

 

Here's one of the clamps and parts

 

 

Here's a couple in place on my bench

 

 

You place your board into the open slot of each clamp as shown

 

 

Then you drive a wedge alongside 

 

 

Here it is clamped and ready to go

 

 

Ready for planing

 

 

Thanks for looking! 

 

Cheers!!

MrRick 

Edited January 6Jan 6 by MrRick

Cool hold downs for the bench dog holes

First I've noticed the white rectangle on any images. Uploaded this one for a test.

Just now, lew said:

First I've noticed the white rectangle on any images. Uploaded this one for a test.

 

Not showing up for me??

8 minutes ago, lew said:

 

Not showing up for me??

 

Looks like the white marks were in the uploaded images from your end. Maybe your photo software?

Not a fault of Patriot Woodworker. It's on my end for sure. Anyways I didn't see it until I posted and didn't want to figure it all out, edit, etc. 

Edited January 6Jan 6 by MrRick

Cool idea for the bench clamps. Simple, functional and very aesthetical design. Thanks Rick.

@Grandpadave52 Yesterday I squared the edges of an 1" x 6" x 8' long board with my Veritas Lee Valley Jack Plane.  Many times I use a couple of workmates to hold the work piece because my bench is occupied with some other project. But my bench was free so I used these Ancient Roman style clamps. They secure the work sturdier than the workmates. It's amazing!

On 1/6/2026 at 8:26 AM, MrRick said:

Here's a way to clamp long boards to work on that the Ancient Romans used.

Heck ya Rick!!! That'll work!

@John Morris..... just used them again. Man... what a joy!