Wilbur’s Finest Bench Dog Hole Plugs, 20mm

The magnetic design is the standout here: these bench dog hole plugs are meant to lift out with the included magnetic tool, rather than making you dig around in the holes with your fingers. They’re made to sit flush with the bench, so an unused work surface stays smooth for setting down a board or moving a workpiece across it. The listed version is black and sized at 20mm, with 10 plugs and a chamfer tool included in the product name. If your bench uses a different hole size, this set may not be the right fit.

Getting the most from it

Use the plugs when dog holes are not needed for clamping or positioning. Sealing the openings helps keep sawdust, chips, and small items from dropping into the bench, and the extra-long, heavier design is intended to reduce the chance of a plug being pulled into a vacuum while you clean the surface. That makes them practical during a quick cleanup between jobs: pull the plugs, clear the bench, then put them back before dust and scraps collect in the holes.

The magnetic material and included magnetic tool are there to make removal less fiddly, especially when a plug sits flush and offers little edge to grab. From the way it is set up, the main convenience depends on keeping that tool handy, these are not described as self-removing or as a replacement for dog holes when you need to secure a workpiece. Match the 20mm version to your bench rather than assuming the listed size will suit every hole.

Why it’s worth it

A bench with open dog holes can collect debris in places that are awkward to clean, while leaving the holes uncovered also interrupts a flat work surface. These plugs address both annoyances without asking you to change how the bench is used: remove them when you need the holes, and replace them when you want a cleaner, more continuous top. The resilient plastic is described as non-marring, which matters when a finished piece is resting or sliding nearby, though it does not make the plugs a substitute for protective pads under a workpiece.

You’ll appreciate it if you regularly switch between clamping work and using the bench as a clear assembly or staging surface. If you prioritize a low-effort, tidy setup, magnetic retrieval is a useful difference from simply leaving holes open or relying on loose covers that need to be pried out. Better avoided if your dog holes are not the listed 20mm size, or if you need a plug that performs a clamping function rather than closing an unused opening.

Key takeaways

• A set of 10 black plastic plugs for bench dog holes, listed as 20mm.
• Designed to sit flush, help block debris, and keep the work surface smooth when holes are unused.
• Magnetic material and an included magnetic tool support easier removal, a chamfer tool is also named in the product listing.
• The stated benefit is workshop organization and surface protection, not added clamping capability.

Final verdict

This set makes sense for a woodworker who wants to keep bench holes clear of dust and small offcuts without giving up quick access when clamping is needed. Its most useful detail is the combination of a flush fit and magnetic retrieval, especially during repeated cleanup or when moving boards across the bench. The deciding factor is fit: choose it only if the 20mm version matches your dog holes. If it does, the plugs offer a straightforward alternative to leaving openings exposed, if not, a correctly sized cover set is the better buy.