LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

Project Information

I just finished my Moxon style bench-top bench. I got the plans from Fine Woodworking March, April 2005. It has mortise and Tenon construction 1/4" bed type bolts holding it together. I made the clamp screw out of 3/4-10 all thread with 3/4 in dowel for the handle and a 1/2" pipe TEE for the head. I drilled out the straight part to 13/16
















" and just force threaded the TEE on to the all thread. Then I held it on with a cotter pin. I inlet-ted 3/4" flat washers to hold the 3/4-10 half couplings in the vise with some screws and did the same to the face piece. I used recycled 2X4s and other scrounged material to build this, all told I spent 10 dollars and 3 days building it. It clamps like a dream, now I have to learn how to make dovetails. I want to make some fancy boxes to sell at the flea market and at craft shows.

Gallery

Comments

· Registered
Joined
·
6,114 Posts
Impossible not to love this tiny bench.
Really well done.
Best thoughts,
MaFe
 

· Registered
Joined
·
50 Posts
Bench on a bench….does that make it a meta-bench?

Nice job.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
4,930 Posts
Do you clamp this down to your standard workbench? I like the idea of using 3/4X10 threaded rod! This looks like the way to go when hand-cutting dovetails. Wow, I never heard of a vise/clamping system that sits on top of the bench, what a great idea!
 

· Registered
Joined
·
1,833 Posts
Now this is very cool! A must have no doubt!
 

· Registered
Joined
·
17,161 Posts
The mini-me of work benches … how can you not like this. I want one !
 

· Registered
Joined
·
1,487 Posts
saweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet very nice idea.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
194 Posts
Great execution, Ted. I liked your emphasis on the use of scraps ("I used recycled 2X4s and other scrounged material to build this, all told I spent 10 dollars and 3 days building it.").
 

· Registered
Joined
·
1,266 Posts
So cool, made one myself and this week-end Jeff Miller the author of this bench is hosting the Lie Nielson traveling road show at his studio in Rogers Park a suburb of Chicago. Nice work on your bench enjoy using…BC
 

· Registered
Joined
·
18,411 Posts
If you water it and give it fertilizer, will it grow into a full size bench? It is a tree right, OK, was a tree!

I can see that being used for a "Traveling Show"! ie: career day at school, lesssons at local clubs & organizations, by a "infommercial" seller of WW supplies at the couny fair!

Actually I like your work, very good in a small shop.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
16,235 Posts
Very nice, I'm like everyone else - I want one too! So when do we get action shots posted with this tool in use? Congrats.
 

· Premium Member
Joined
·
20,131 Posts
It is impossible to not love it! What is the thread size on the rod?
 

· Registered
Joined
·
0 Posts
This is an impressive looking vise. I have one of the old tabletop Workmates that they don't make anymore, but I may have to replace it with one of these.

@ DanK, thanks for the download link.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
20 Posts
Yo dawg, I heard you like benches, so I put a bench in your bench to put your bench on your bench. That's a pretty sweet bench. I think it would fit people of short stature like myself fairly well.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
18 Posts
Thanks for all the great comments guys! I read a post from one of the online mags about making a Moxon vise and was going to do just that, then I remembered the article about the mini-me bench and decided to build that in stead.
I am very happy with the way it turned out. it clamps like a dream. I clamp it down to the big brother bench and then its solid!
What I am gong to do next is to drill a couple of dog holes in the base and add 2 holes in my bench top with 1/2" nuts under it and use 1/2" bolts to secure it when I have a lot of stuff to clamp.
It really is a back saver!
 

· Registered
Joined
·
104 Posts
Why the #$%^ didn't I think of that. I've always wanted the versatility of a vise like that, but never found the time or money to invest in a nice bench. (Mainly because I destroy benches when working). This is such a fantastic idea. Going in my favorites for sure. Great build. Thanks for posting.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
535 Posts
Very nice job on this benchtop mini bench, very well done
 

· Registered
Joined
·
7,027 Posts
that is a great little workplace you have done
even though I have seen simular ones I just realice
how much they can be used for and can be used on any table it comes near
makes me wonder why it ain´t in every DIY home :)

thank´s for sharing

Dennis
 

· Registered
Joined
·
6 Posts
Excellent craftsmanship, and a well organized shop. Did you turn the handles on a lathe.
 
Top