Last month, with the Woodworking in America conference fast approaching, I finished my mini Roubo. While the diminutive size and knockdown construction make it a wonderful traveling bench, it does not incorporate any vises or clamps.
While not being one to rush into a trend, I have nevertheless long been intrigued by Moxon vises that others had built, and latched onto this vise as an inexpensive (and fast to make) workholding option. I scrounged up a lovely bit of quartersawn sycamore, some 3/4-6 Acme rod, a few nuts, and a couple of washers and bearings, and came up with this small model.
The construction of these vises being very straightforward, there is little need to chronicle it here. The only feature that may be considered somewhat unique is the handles, which have captive nuts let into them. Since the threaded rod is fixed to the rear chop, the handles are bored out so as to cover the rod projecting from the front.
I had some concern about being able to tighten the vise enough to grip the workpiece solidly, but this turned out to be a needless worry. Between the leather-lined front jaw and oversize handles, this vise holds its work like the dickens.
With one nut buried in the rear jaw, and another on the back of it, the threaded rod is fixed in place. Have I ever mentioned that I love a nice lamb’s tongue detail?
Rear view.
The front chop rides on a bushing, while the large washer provides a bearing and (more importantly) wear surface between the handle and front chop.
Elongated holes in the front jaw allow it to accommodate skewed work.
I don’t know when I last tried to clamp a skewed workpiece, but if the need ever arises I shall be ready.
Without the washer, I fear the handle would quickly erode the front jaw.
The jaws open to about three inches.
The handles are hollowed out to accept the Acme rod; the nuts are mortised into the end.
The front view.
The only change I may make to the vise is adding a cleat at the rear to reduce any tendency to rock backwards.
Yet another view.
No reason for this picture, other than showing off some nicely figured wood.
The vise in use. I am testing a saw on a scrap of wood that came from the same piece as the handle, which seems oddly…cannibalistic.
I found it Isaac but I don’t remember reading it the first time around. I’ll be making a copy of it and I might even try the lamb’s tongue detail.