BenchGrip is the most flexible option in the SYS-GRP vacuum workholding family. Instead of forcing your workflow to match a fixed vacuum table, BenchGrip adapts to you — positioning holding power exactly where you need it.
What is BenchGrip?
BenchGrip transforms standard aluminum extrusion into a modular vacuum clamping surface. Each pod connects via a standard vacuum hose, allowing you to configure custom zones, build temporary fixtures, or create setups that traditional clamps could never handle.
Key capabilities:
- Dual-orientation — works horizontally on your bench surface and vertically when mounted to the side of your bench, cabinet, or fixture
- Modular layout — combine pods, create zones, and reposition quickly for different projects
- Standard vacuum fittings — connect to virtually any pump or Grabo Pro-Lifter via Nexus Baseplate
- Precision sealing geometry — hybrid machined and additive construction ensures reliable sealing across wood, metal, and composite surfaces
BenchGrip Pod Lineup
BenchGrip comes in four sizes to match the scale of your work:
Minimus — Compact Specialist
Best for: Small parts, detail work, and tight spaces where a larger pod would overhang or interfere.
Configurations:
- Minimus Single — one vacuum inlet, one sealing surface; your go-to for most compact applications
- Minimus Dual — vacuum pass-through allows you to connect multiple pods in series without running separate hoses to each one; perfect for distributed arrays where routing matters
- Minimus Offset — offset geometry keeps the sealing surface flush even when the mounting point is raised; designed for vertical extrusion applications
Perfect for: Joinery setups, small cabinet components, or anywhere you need holding power without footprint. Because of its compact size, you can cluster multiple Minimus pods for distributed hold on irregular shapes or multi-point registration.
Harpyie — Narrow Stock Specialist
Best for: Narrow stock, rails, and face-frame applications.
Configurations:
- Harpyie Minimus — for tighter spaces and lighter stock
- Harpyie Maximus — for broader contact on wider face frames and door components
Its elongated sealing surface matches the geometry of narrow boards — giving you stable hold without overhang on thin material. Ideal for edge work, face frames, door stiles, or any time you're holding long, narrow stock that doesn't suit a square or circular pod.
Maximus — All-Around Workhorse
Best for: Most benchtop operations — edge banding, sanding, routing, assembly.
Maximus balances surface area, holding force, and footprint, making it the go-to pod for the widest range of everyday work. Whether horizontal or vertical, Maximus handles it all.
Starting out? If you're not sure which size to choose, start here. Maximus covers the widest range of everyday work.
Expanding hold: Pair two or more Maximus pods for synchronized multi-point clamping on larger panels.
Magnus — Heavyweight Champ
Best for: Large panels, demanding setups, and operations that require serious down-force.
Magnus provides maximum surface area and maximum holding force. Built for large cabinet sides, full doors, heavy assemblies, or challenging material that requires confident hold.
Choosing the Right Pod
Pod | Choose it when… | Typical fit |
Minimus | Space is tight, parts are small, or you need distributed hold across irregular shapes. | Small parts, detail work, multi-point registration |
Harpyie | You’re working with narrow stock, face frames, or rails that don’t suit a square or wide footprint. | Narrow boards, rails, stiles, edge work |
Maximus | You want one pod that handles the widest range of everyday tasks — horizontal, vertical, and everything in between. | General-purpose default, most benches |
Magnus | Your work demands maximum surface area and holding force for large panels or heavy assemblies. | Large panels, heavy work, maximum hold |
Mix and match: You’re not locked into one size. Mix Minimus for precision with Maximus for span. Pair Magnus with Harpyie for edge support. Build the pod array that matches your material, not the other way around.
Dual-Orientation Advantage
No matter which size you choose, every BenchGrip pod shares one advantage: dual-orientation capability.
- Route a panel face-down on the bench
- Sand a cabinet door upright
- Clamp a drawer front at an angle for glue-up
The same pod that holds your panel flat can mount to the side of your bench for vertical work — no adapters, no second set of tools. One vacuum source. One hose per pod. Unlimited positioning across your entire workspace.
System Integration
BenchGrip integrates across the SYS-GRP ecosystem:
- With AnchorDogs and brackets — fine-tune alignment and offset positioning
- With rail inserts or mounting plates — integrate pods into jigs, fixtures, or assembly tables
- With Nexus Baseplate — attach to your Grabo or DeWalt Grabo for mobile workholding from jobsite installations to mobile workstations
- With Hub — centralized vacuum control with routing, isolation, and safe release
Pre-Configured Kits
Don't feel like building your own setup? Verso and Max bundles arrive organized in a Systainer³ S 76 with a Pod Dock fitout:
Kit | Best for | Includes | Notes |
Verso Bundle | Most versatile | 3× Minimus Single
1× Minimus Dual
1× Maximus
AnchorDogs and rail inserts
Systainer³ S 76 with Pod Dock fitout | Balanced starter spread across compact + general purpose pods |
Max Bundle | Maximum hold | 2× Maximus
2× Minimus Dual
AnchorDogs and rail inserts
Systainer³ S 76 with Pod Dock fitout | Biases toward higher hold + pass-through chaining |
See SYS-FIT BenchGrip Sets — Overview for detailed kit comparison.
Compatibility
Extrusion rails: BenchGrip comes with rail inserts that fit MFT, Dashboard PWS, Bench Dogs, 15-series, 30-series, 40-series, and 45-series aluminum extrusions.
Vacuum sources: Compatible with virtually any pump or Grabo Pro-Lifter 20 / DeWalt Grabo via Nexus Baseplate.
Materials: Reliable sealing across wood, metal, and composite surfaces.
Why Makers Choose BenchGrip
Advantage | What It Means |
Freedom of placement | Move pods anywhere for unlimited layout possibilities |
Fast transitions | Reconfigure setups between jobs in seconds |
Full-surface access | No clamps or vises blocking toolpaths |
Vertical compatibility | Work on edges, sides, or face panels with ease |
Next Steps
- Setup: See SYS-GRP BenchGrip — Installation & Setup Guide for mounting instructions
- Care: See SYS-GRP BenchGrip — Maintenance & Troubleshooting for gasket replacement and common issues
- Vacuum: See SYS-GRP Vacuum Source Options for pump sizing and Grabo integration
- FAQ: See SYS-GRP Frequently Asked Questions for common setup questions
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