When using a router or orbital sander on a flat workpiece at the bench, I've always relied on a router mat. It cushions the workpiece and keeps it from sliding around on my bench.
Within the last few years, though, there's been a new challenger to the trusty router mat - bench grippers. These rubberpadded blocks serve the same purpose as a router mat, but with some important additional features and benefits.
SHOP BENEFITS
Rockler gets the credit for developing the first commercial gripper - the Bench Cookie. These hockey puck-like disks are just round blocks of plastic with a layer of high-friction rubber on each side. (In fact, Rockler used actual hockey pucks in an early prototype.)
The textured rubber pads on each side of the disk tenaciously grip the workpiece and the worksurface to keep everything steady as you use your power tools. An added benefit is that they also elevate the workpiece to provide clearance when edge-routing.
BENCH COOKIES PLUS. Rockler followed up on the success of their original gripper design with the Bench Cookie Plus.
The key difference is the addition of a threaded insert on one side of the gripper. This allows you to add a "riser" to elevate the cookie off your workbench (see main photo above).
The risers are available in two different heights and simply screw into the insert in the center of the gripper. They are sized to fit into 3/4 "-dia. dog holes, and the longer riser also features a molded stop, as shown in the photo above.
For some situations, the added height of the risers really comes in handy. For example, I use them during glue-ups when I need extra clearance to slip large bar clamps under an assembly.
MORE VARIETY. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. And since the Bench Cookie's introduction, a couple of other companies have quickly followed suit with similar products. You can see the Wolf Bench Paws and Loc-Blocks shown above. Aside from their shape, these grippers perform the same basic function as the Bench Cookies However, the Loc-Blocks can be fastened together to provide a wider gripping surface.
FINISHING HELPERS. Besides gripping and elevating a workpiece, these handy accessories can help you out with another shop task - applying a finish. Rockler recently introduced their Bench Cookie Cones shown above. The cone snaps in place over a Bench Cookie, providing the same function as the popular "painter's points." They allow air to circulate under the finished workpiece without marring the finish. This allows you to apply finish to all areas of the project. This means you don't have to wait for one side to dry before turning it over to finish the other side.
The Wolf Bench Paws perform this small task, as well. As you can see in the photo below, short dowels (included) can be sharpened with a pencil sharpener to be used as painter's points. The dowels fit a hole molded into the face of the Wolf Bench Paw.
STORAGE. Any time I buy little accessories like these grippers, I'm stuck with figuring out where to store them. For the Rockler Bench Cookies, the solution is easy. Rockler makes an inexpensive rack designed especially for them. The rack is designed to sit on your benchtop or can be wallmounted. I installed my rack on pegboard (photo above).
Wherever you store the grippers, you'll want to be able to grab them quickly for sanding or routing a workpiece. And in the middle of a glueup, you don't need to spend time looking for them.
MAINTENANCE. When you look at these grippers, you get the impression there's nothing much that can go wrong with them. They're made of durable plastic and rubber material that can put up with a lot of abuse. While that's true, sawdust can quickly make them lose their grip.
The solution is easy. Whenever I see the rubber material getting dusty and dirty and losing its effectiveness, I simply grab a damp rag and wipe them off. That's it. They'll be as good as new following this quick cleaning.
SHOP-MADE GRIPPERS. I'll admit that before all these commercial versions of grippers came along, I was making my own from scrap pieces of MDF and old router mats or shelf liner material. You can see how below. If you've got some spare time, you can make a bunch to have on hand wherever you need them.
HANDY HELPERS. Whether you make your own or spend a few dollars on commercial grippers, you'll find yourself reaching for them often. They're so simple in concept yet you'll wonder how you ever got along without them.
Shop Tip: Shop-Made
Making your own bench grippers in the shop only takes a few minutes. And it can save you a little money.
To make your own, you can cut small pieces from MDF. Then attach router matting to both sides with hot glue or rubber cement.
