re: Workmate and Bench [dog] Hold-Down Clamps From Cheap, 6" F-Clamps

I still use a WorkMate too. I received it as a Christmas present about 40 (!) years ago and, like you, I still find it useful (particularly for messier jobs like cutting metal or sharpening my mowers blades). i also use it as a base for my portable router table. I lost one of the rubber feet, but, other than that, it’s as good as it ever was.

Nice idea using a modified F-clamp as sort of a holdfast.