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Since becoming aware of the increased working height provided by a Moxon vice I have realised it would benefit my woodworking significantly. I suffer from neck and shoulder pain, the result of an old injury, I am hoping this new addition to my shop will alleviate some of the discomfort. The chops, or jaws are simply 2 x laminated 25 mm sheets of exterior plywood I salvaged from a dumpster.


Clearly they had been in a wet environment at some point, most likely a tank room judging by the old water stains. Although the plys were sound some of the top veneer was brittle in places, therefore I was concerned with the durability and longevity of the ply. My solution was to glue hardwood lipping around the edges. I upcycled some oak flooring for this. I was also concerned with the damage the threaded rod would cause as I opened and closed the front chop, the threads would eventually tear the ply to shreds. My solution was to counter bore holes and install stainless steel closet rail hangers to act as bushings or sleeves, thus protecting the interior ply.




I wanted to have a little play between the rod and the walls of the bushings, this would ensure I had lateral movement to accommodate slanted or narrow stock. I failed to fully calculate the offset caused by the larger counter bore hole through the chop. I just meant I had to plane off the 1/8" or so to level the jaws when they are closed.





I bought some heavy gauge washers to protect the front and back of the chops around the threaded rod holes, again to protect the end grain veneer. I took the step to level them with the wood surface. I used a little laminating trim router for this part although by this time I had glued and fitted the rear stabilising bar which meant the base of my router limited me at this point. My cordless router finished off the job.




The next job was to make some handles. I used some better quality birch plywood scraps. Marking out the handle, I went for a 4" diameter. Drilled the knurled with a 10mm Forstner bit on the pillar drill then cut them out with an improvised circle cutting jig at the bandsaw. I counter bored a hole and sunk the nut locked it in with epoxy resin.









Once I test fitted the handle I became aware I had cut the threaded rod (M20 construction studding) too long. I immediately had premonitions of catching my self and clothing every time I walked past it. I marked it with tape and cut the excess off with a hand held grinder.


The rods are now 8" long providing me with a adequate 2 1/2" working space between the jaws, more than I will ever require.


I used the almost forgotten leather welders apron which came with my home welding kit. It was actually quite good quality leather and I had reservations about cutting it up for jaw linings but as I have never used it…..... I sized the interior of the jaws with thin wash coat of glue and water, let them dry overnight then glued the leather on using PVA glue.


To minimise the " made from scraps" appearance I applied some dark stain, unfortunately I didn't the reapplied stain on the top of the chops dry for long enough, so when I applied the oil/yacht varnish top coat some of the stain lifted. I now have a new vice which unintentionally looks 100 years old. Oh well, looks can be deceiving. I had read some vices are difficult to hold tight to the bench, so I applied some self adhesive stair tread grip tape to the base of the rear chop and stabilising bare. This I have found really helps to solve the problem.


I gave it a test run, it grips the work like a ship wrecked sailor to a life raft and the turn handles spin freely, not quite to the standard of a bench crafted kit but for around 20 quid all in I am happy with my lot. More importantly, the working height is a god send. It measures around 30" in length x 7 1/4" in height and allows for 18 1/2" between the screws. I look forward to using it. Thanks for looking and reading this far. David.

Gallery

Comments

· Registered
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1,480 Posts
That was quite interesting and useful. Great Job. I'm gonna save this for future use. Thanks.
 

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Very good posting, pictures & description.
Looks like that should serve you well for decades.
 

· In Loving Memory
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I won't be building a Moxon vise anytime soon, nevertheless this is such an refreshing post and the craftsmanship and thought that went into was very interesting reading. My complements, this is a great example of what a project post on a woodworking site should be! I hope others take note and start doing the same.
 

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Looks like it has been in the shop for ever! I spent more time building my moxon than using it?
 

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Nice job on your tall vise. If you do have any issues with pain when using a low woodworking bench getting the fine work up where it really should be will be a refreshing for you.

Already pointed out, your post was extremely well done, complete, and informative.

Well done, and thanks for posting.
 

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Nice work, David. Great post too. I can smell a Top 3 in the air.
 

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+1 on Stefangs comments. Thanks for sharing this project with the wonderful details. The adaptations to your needs look well thought out and effective.
 

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David:

Thank you for this posting. Like yourself, I enjoy improvising when it comes to building things around my shop. And I enjoy learning new methods and tricks from those who build their stuff.
 

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Great post. So clear on how to do every step.
 

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Wow, I am completely flabbergasted by so many kind words and comments regards my shop project, gents. Thank you to all who have taken the time to read and especially to those who have felt inspired to comment.
Of course, when a copy of an original is made I feel a thank you should also be offered, in this case to Joseph Moxon …......or whoever it was responsible for the creation of the twin screw vice.
Regards
David
 

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Very good idea - Saved as a Favorite.

- dannmarks

Good luck. I hope you build one for yourself.

- bluekingfisher
 
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