Lee Valley Replica Recessed Bench Stop

Lee Valley replica recessed bench stop, inspired by the Millers Falls #56 bench hook. It retrofits easily to any bench at least 1" thick: drill a 2" hole for the cup and a concentric 1" hole for the shaft, and secure the stop with three screws.

Before Millers Falls released the #56, an earlier version was patented in 1910 by Goodell-Pratt as the #196 bench hook. Millers Falls acquired Goodell-Pratt in 1932 and tweaked the design before releasing it as its own. Nearly 90 years later, Lee Valley has made its reproduction of this classic bench accessory.

Like its predecessor, but unlike other mortised bench stops, it has a four-jaw head that rotates in fixed 90° increments and resists rotation in use. The jaw with 10 fine teeth bites into thin stock, the one with four coarse teeth into larger work. The plain face is a simple stop that won't mar stock, and the V-slot centres and holds narrow stock. Each jaw is just shy of 1 1/4" wide.

Unlike the Millers Falls version, the post has a wedge-lock mechanism that anchors it firmly. Releasing the central locking screw pops the sprung head up; tightening it engages a split nut inside the shaft to lock it at the desired height, up to 3/4" above the surface. When finished, set the head flush with the benchtop, out of the way.

The head is A2 tool steel, with a steel shaft and stainless-steel cup. Made in Canada by Veritas.