Moxon vise build with shopping list

[Matthew Cashman]

Hello all,

Below I give a quick overview of a recent Moxon vise build. I thought I might be able to add to common knowledge by sharing the parts list, since that was a fair bit of annoying work to figure out, so I'll focus on that rather than the design and build. Coming up with cost-effective ways to get small amounts of hardware is tough! If you have better solutions to this specific problem (hardware for a Moxon vise) or to the general problem (cost-effective access to small amounts of hardware), please do share.

Hardware list:
2 x veneer press screws, ~$20 each w/ ship (e.g. here (https://www.amazon.com/Shop-Fox-D2893-Press-Clamp/dp/B0000DD353), here (http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/browseproducts/Jorgensen-Press-Screw--9-.HTML), here (http://www.grizzly.com/products/Veneer-Press-Clamp/D2893)): $40
3 x bronze shoulder bushings, ~$5 each w/ ship (e.g. here (https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/35402064?rItem=35402064)): $15
2 x steel washer for the bronze bushing to bear on (e.g. here (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009OJIU9G/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1), but you end up with 50): $15
2 x clamping collar to keep front chop moving outwards when unscrewing the vise (e.g. here (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0063L2AIK/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1)): $15
Approximately 12' of 5/4 hard maple: $varies, I can't recall
Leather scraps to line jaws: $10

Total: ~$85 in hardware plus the cost of wood, leather, glue

The parts I used required some modification. You must remove the swivel pads at the end of the veneer press acme screws (easy on mine, which were Lee Valley), slightly enlarge the ID of the bronze bushings (dowel with sandpaper), and slightly enlarge the ID of the washers (dowel with sandpaper again). I'm sure it'd be helpful to future builders to have parts that just worked! Part of the problem was that the (discontinued?) veneer press screws I had from Lee Valley were an odd OD. Finding a bushing with a larger shoulder would also be helpful, and could even eliminate the need for the washers.

The design could, I think, be improved with a thicker front chop but it works just fine as-is. I've planed a significant belly into the front side of the chop to account for bending. Aside from being stiffer, the thicker front chop would give more registration surface. Following the thoughts of Derek and likely others, I've refrained from putting a chamfer the length of the front chop (this also gave an opportunity to practice lambs' tongues!). Thanks again to Derek (if I recall correctly) for suggesting the little shelf on the back (it gives a place to clamp a pin board when marking out, among other things).

The veneer screws also aren't a super close fit in their nuts, which leads to some slop in the vise. This, coupled with some slop in the fit of the bearings and screws in the front chop, allows for some racking as you open and close (which is a good thing). The front chop does droop as it's opened more and more, and this could be avoided with a design that fixes the threaded rods and uses nuts at the front chop (a la Benchcrafted?). However, this means rods sticking out the front of your vise. Looking back, it may have been smarter to just pay the $150 for the benchcrafted kit. This solution works just fine, so it's hard to tell.

I believe there is 25" between the screws to accommodate a 24" panel with some room to spare. The jaws are roughly 6" high.



A sketch of construction, without further ado:

An in-progress trimming shot with ryoba
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/t90NWPF1vrWafjHoXk9WvzIJPFcec_Qy_mwh2vyI5NaTT_klLf 7uvW3s47T68MxJ0n-NhPJAVMftA4vEunsUyjqxo4x4sZwsEJT5IEhEfUx32VFcB5AGR xZZ-ql-bSPxVoIGZ_4OxUtux-nxqXShMaH8w3KZQVJJw6Y_HL4py-k0N6QMKghgsvBAq70g0aplNJ58hWpDIaZAWFPgjnt84B0xrZqi 2QLINzU3HO3CahKKhjvdjVBoS7BI4KN1rW2odMSKYJnyedfRaI UIGAavCvQ6dxDPb0uTCgZLndNngZVx5SY4OO8uSVy4vNUCfrVb 9R1aPUGchbZP3w3Zw3c1q18Li9o-YnVX7brjfSGVnc_PSbqB_HzYA_npxrgmvQwThoGcUmABghrIh6 dcc8dRoYTWLjtEYM61Nz0sVzO8syWUFTo2T4A9pgV75HEfMgAK PgXxspD3kKJD-ZY6hSV7CWH_a8b2SpE78pM57apZ1UCpIJ5BJf7R7Mfpgsow8h7 fejUAFdhK9zZJFy4biGUJqKm-tjcPd4nIiuaYY7X_r4xvGbvQX-p1H19qMcDPfkcqK-NOOjHK_CGKxmSOIxP4FiL4BrDpMDZVszh9uzH3h_gHi6UOAqEd jg=w373-h662-no






Some jointing:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bxC7k4r2EJsl4y98n7r2WcVDu0zj5G3VLoftCdn5FvkrBKotpI Zcp9-djZKUUduH7ki4ZzmxGBX5yENDMCftVuIUs1lYGLj6F6YWtHg6P tU8VUm4umXo3CjE1xL_tqi3s2qwuqpPKn_ksZpcOv2px9lAc3y R8izbVdQf_R0fw5qgGPoiI9m2oZaR5dzIH09T9MS4q00UCobaz z9ukgPrh9Jz4Ouk37U_gRvH9dxTMDcBGlmLN4u6f_rbGFaJ1bJ q0knRuRODtlwxMruiEe5P0uUQEDu8TkIy4Z3CZLyz5fqrrOoZ7 ywrwCpDU5INsHiEExmze4VUEN0Ou8EB3SV85GgXBJktQa-SlkQutLcFGC3nhTRzrhqUvypq0gh7aTLqyQnsjRJOPnk1ibJMS 8bjGusmSkdixuEc1X9f1Wh-jD7lHuZtoUGaTEnf94ZGIqlAt3lpr8NJvWlzqppDLaMbnqlj_V 7Q9HmxCvbD1nXG6D49Lu17kdvYFeH2MKZdzQcRYSl33Dj2OWA7 8HFVwF3bcUM4B6LulI4ez3D-qJ0Xv-RTgLjqgSRtezAbjzZcn-kSopYYMcIxrStVRp4dU3iZNX7hSZPah_F8R4PTsyYkBrsx1pJu Pq7iCw=w1177-h662-no




A close-up of the hardware:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/0LN0kS7hVyxI56DxjKaIpLtItRXUI0DN_KO6CZZJ_gKjG1EYqq TXjsn6O6wIKhM2uUJeciP2HqliudtS2BgLNwZ3_UelvYYviVly VxDrX-hwJmSIQmkvhJAH8CrkT3Xij8QplQHcWUbW3D-_3WtBG84JP-hcUiXRGJmTHkkYbuIZ-Satx2tWIzmD3wl48tfByCAUNXyKqJJjxVKDS0Hn5fDr9RIO0f8 ljPj7oSXDUu6Y7_xvpkzAnLk5BOM5-VSYy-tSzSQ-zZKGEuA5LhVMQp8uKxoJB7yI-CgbJL5M9X4fdYRtUfFYnVt-b_c6Pi9g2VN_cRuD-1Qg9_4Q8Uo5J4bbN4gh9_vbw-Bi-1JGgaQirGplLcnT9rcNXkr5lsQESoSY3BvGEQEABMMlEvgCB1C JtRmMyuE5YiQ8rFMkK9ZwDaBVlqo6SLmByEWzWQJ166dGKHQ6v KUCZZSObjwL1Q52oK9amleJTdup8lQgwZGvzGSdH0sgYQlsK6x 23x_EIsuqNx8RWJSL7nAG72811Rgu3dln1QvWrDLBEjB4HHznA fyFNtYT85fknXVNnbzvNds26mZknJjau7OSDSleQipuCkiZ5zR 6Swz_x_tuj6RsrzI6dVDRSw=w1177-h662-no





Sketching out chamfers, etc.:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/hdBNrYpu7Cmq7KWyJRVIMKCT5DvfyUe8AoKbx_eIQzLVOLAtOV _f763RXJKPlPsLg1uBhbGQt_xKOTLQSdJTTMCKQslVsT0FsMrb dgsNKGnqmxA-1hTdDVp_VmI2z69hE4hWnscd2IkANTxPTgxtpL5IPsPe8p1k4a RIKzGRI5Z-WSnV_Ft54neHe_5qD1ifUhf_XMplM60R235I6vEHhpv1UdO-kNx_TxwsS7ebO0D3vBVdMn3kc9rljOXm4uazUI5Ze71m3b00tm OIbDo4PFYnQiNDD1_J8HKvuMLyU6514s9PwDldj0yueLhj-rm3EA9cxOeE77kvNcoYliosSmdWWQ18qMyzugtBEeOgDZTq4S7 O2iG3Mvd9ZrXyKnT1GhquMgDDAgrYjQqGaR969g3ONa7MNi2XU KjaRXzB-FeStxLjRqcAL3PejG6ECElO9eo81bYqXC6Y72JrJyxeNQxS7Bw C1C0AbrxU4SOtVFpjbOhHAKEyUPqDumRIdLOux4GMrcBNfb6-YDWPjvyJ8sA1TFZfyo4Zcbudq-PbFdCe7_lWmdMi4St1Tx9HHI6raKA6360I0_Kez1SHKgq7HqQf s9EpoztKMrM5GkqEbenOcTv1SuKIhQ=w373-h662-no





Some shooting:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/v0swkcfMdVZ9TZ8rqyQIxeieEWBwpY_nhLJWlyJGj3tCM7Je2w WpEDx6loOhEgxEn4HcVRg7L5s4r6vaHkBNIT4PSJmalkp31p6P smO1RtxNXGIN1NaIbAhyJM64dvf9i3mRkbADK8l8kE3d7xcpu0 ALckAMUMf899S4L1ncAyS3FU2jqATOed9hXpOqGQW1NhqlcFPr ZmAsbRYbCEwOs6XBr_XqP99bYmKUSWlXjo5G5jUc9y5FPDST1g KRUsLX7jz1cR8Utxro6ls0idRiweDSUerq9NQRQ1_AQFAZ43XV l3HPe_Efed5U9uWEn0P6mH3VkG1tDZtQ-2S7nwOYixGrDPjNE_l5Q0BxgXOJBMdoFstY1hyMIf3Evboxl8a n8t23PDpR0F6clRXoHx3RJUYVQgGYpUT5JegUqnyudA6ZMLhw5 v7BCQo3caNCOMug7sZ0yQWV56YnSkDFYytCJVGWUoP-iu18TDj8n-2NQ6aOLQTS57ERutgnVXTyW_Eh5ELLvEA2WzIQXfaI0WsMD6AX AS4LWUIaUTdCPKXvG0s1tMA9lMFDHDT9MacGazoH6z7nd9KrG0 7hGPg4lxmUIO3hZgiGqfXEQoaEAQEoovidLfTHKxGHDg=w1177-h662-no





A shot that gives you a good idea of the cross section of the rear of the vise:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/yjsKJYxd5CIX-JjbVeE09ltMjT8F5hXu6Z3Aw6xAd8nMzLpsRD-hi08qfLgniqnghtAPBhHfWyAX94nfe8dJzSUoU4lwGjg05bgZu k4_ApHtSdbkHVpN2P2lTBEEj48C6Mf_nkToA7QWTb4dAn1XkY_ BwBlLbt8mHLSCAmZ5kUB5SuDETc28p9ahkA6YOesrxD5ALup_A 8ImsShw-M_HtkKjG0NxgQkSM4j72MiCSC0y6jSt8fK-cnEb714Pokq2E3OsVZM4XxgCuRQw7jUGoW9yaMvK7lzm0zGC-KLRlPRk_TvxqkaD_5d3m-VSfZMDuOA5WjI78dJowiB1tvKmVk8yQH-gWIBJUdNbWhyR47Cc9ZPGzm5ST7PVnE3MP-G2Wshz3-mQ6OsGXA3bKlnrbG0aA9LgeENQE4dDFdgr6WVxLxpInUe1V6eY spnqfUR7eUVN8V2xlVLL3uAxYHwpy1zKiL2ULxuD4GetOVKn4F ENleS4ai6Hv1EfsclHGtyz636w4p-thLAdCxF-sQbY3TWvYIiGtyLeFrZ6ctO4LJndxchO7x5faKc1w0Ote37z5B JEX5zVdVmjQyxyWetTtbR44jshJvRg1KzZhGtUHBQ2JikLLJdy Tw=w373-h662-no




Chamfers / lambs' tongues all done:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/UDqJHg80wGrdCRSrYrxhO7CCcYJHktHI3dmsdMwpvTajc_Oc2l 4az4pqfhweGjIL1FCIJL3zH4AhFUBAY4znogqdBF7VvLvxTA-Yu-gyuWRkAT2khzJ82Cwi3hW2oHUToZ8Vyz7hj5H6RlkeQ6jGaUTX V7WjICXcfj3gmDGHaPXc7QfnuiFSVoBVnMX3I4DIEj_yK0O2Yz ll9yfjdp8MbVwUamWkXe_cuG3YKSmFFu6IIMrTTFJ1ydPLN-xFusXUuWBo7apgCFpr3QNLU1o35yIRspdtCcOXV6RGvViqS2NL l2U9X4nA_f14Ra6VTgB-VOGpn6sFxOxakPf5Y6Ex36StP5a1Q0b-Lx9Prl5lwBkkKFBCkgkqCySYCJ9G5PFs2WvnvWckZDF348lhaQ F4iF1Z1fv-4N-RBL6wYQxmiL8qBKRD07WGsZz-rbxybd7XmNysMg0gOtK84x1E2YhkXv_XBkg3KlmLtT0tglyNOY JAVbXw_9SEa7olwKeWlq4Ughf8V6T7aXEbcNOe8MCsO7VRE8u4 KZJychXz2QQgOEaBspDlyJ0MnrJm5nst-PrqGQEkOVMZjiApX9L0H8IsBvl5eQCpoP4s8ZMZVBGZh6QFQJK Rd5mUUw=w1177-h662-no





Here you can see the nuts for the veneer press screws mounted in the back of the vise:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/f7PCaunxPZRAiwoPatS8W0cKKgJEzuJs2jYQpLu-BxgxnMefK1B0M9-Aiv7nVcpmeca33FyKGqLLoedWRGbSEwwKqu9Snaex-zR4bOHpMn8Mi2Xty1pBdALmLbLicEAMJK_sxVyrJK7wzaylJnm Ar1V_8vyJ_pCjegJwdG4i9puWyf3HUtA9yHUoAfHRmV36daSUu 8pC4x3N-wri_fNn34Yhncqe-UcerxT0tGGJz55U1YLpL6p0LG7EG672OGSN55UYMmVEq86s-5t7EsZ0rfY9VqNdHY5zVVSH-UQGUMQWULqTAcEnzWuxoTLq6N1oKkYzmDFAIF26JEPzwzTGqL2 gxZYS0lGIAfyxLvPzmHn1FVNBIHMi9q_URWnby3eFywQgENzBK BaVD7QeKzHx8mQpQQ5_pG0ukqjlxAmzP6JJfQtiCELHCo6ySg6 vDuSwrXZuhXGO78fZrD3qEd62vL0bzBIaww8LEeNTiv_N-x89RxD0rEStKz2SX5zIiZcDf9oYynivDF_oXieVi9MGLoeRCU6 Jc3J8EM266ilt8t_qcDz5_xNBNVSek4Puj95Dt2gtPukKTEHOY hYeRaR-Kes5Z1Or9SqiIVAID1hgChRKRKNW74TPig=w373-h662-no





After some Tru-Oil:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/5w5HI48hejpI0vJc3Yc9VEnDe67UCKmI3dSSO03pXAXpLTUyxL 6CuO5DLIbP_1hf0ZUX7Dq6jvxwO5db6ckVf4A99QyoKvb5Nlgm QUReGsEag0rIj_KuJTzwE65MB98gfIDDKhjKOxB-9VZbnxQw3lMTcLEStBISIJInwhufPljDrUSNtmI_-l1FQgIqSuAdTlpL74trWsOUamu2QlAhN2N3ykxMgNNC58EF4NU eTKYEm1jw3m5X7-zuGEfh0egSXyoixJHHD1q7wY9uNqe-saEQyd-6OKi_9-WefjHO833sOaHa0msKKUw2hh_Sw7uYH3RwtGBjz9QA24IBVPX_ IcwiqjrbUWol_sRZNBvmDV5y7T6rvCtCib2Os8uUuAWlDjgtIm vNbmSenSHZb6DFYfv3KPc3x_-n5pdlptZFgGwokURsILpkn5VQ2huM2UmvVmmfFMkV6yfTqij6H ZvxIFzckb4T9AVeo8S1IbVCiKgLBQz_9X9HWkWIxZgIdfu1rCi TgpCnsQnS9r_wr95qMlQpGMjEr3gM7eNwL5hGEJJpcjyJIBPPY shLMzq2eIb96xtMSCGG4P9riGKzayJb3_1sM5_oRXZQNhD2O4Q eZTscEZ6Unu8qTg=w1177-h662-no





....and finally, with some leather (applied with Weldwood contact cement):
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/PyOGAOoCY_ItJvW4d7zykRq-Md_4kXY37-d4JqHqy1vKVuCnC1r6Xx-_RfBL9fZCN025SdDkM-eCv0hxLRY2o0k3N_UlxXJDLrppcJbZrGMe0RUtA6-M0Qs8f24IlrhdVLu3P5xE8KZJVzrMLKm3mFpmFHbeC4g_hPmIr V-e_Fh2vJeCyEzlSzHcDjsbj7a9JLo5uWFSPEkEABqrhbV3LtqzY BDjszHYIC2KZG9YFjB9nJLxdLGImlSUWV1AVB81AgpEbpYEVGl wqq7nbzbxy8URxizWEhi7M5anbnEyY9JxTe5X9RbXlNvtm-glOpCpMpsfCWD1KiVSP8NiT3Vady8PiG8n3PfxIzPjdtaBHRMa qLOR1NKybPA4E0FL3Jz4kQEwhLTZXsXFEpOYlUm3R9gW_KqtXf hmvvleGbrUyqR5k91oOpWy6ZUVdcDFy-yAxYw0YiphjyMYJ09W8nhvqgpXszqoPO5bYMeJE70xEnCpEsb-qEWPGzM1ccSGX9jpbuyP-lBd2ZFO2uQyyR-B5r5I8LSkujItt3D4FkoV5pdkIBu9SDD8q1aYPMtKQrVWTlBeO voz3a64iQnmFS8bJquHxnX9ZyDRT0ZgFVVCnAbMoDAyq7H__w= w1177-h662-no


Hope you enjoyed,

Matt

[William Fretwell]

If you build an even bigger one you could share most of the hardware between the two and keep costs down, perhaps buy the hardware you can't share now just in case? If you do that they will both seem like a bargain :)

As you use that with decent lighting is it better to stain it darker as a contrast to the workpeice and keep your pupils from contracting when working cherry or walnut?

[Matthew Cashman]

I didn't think about contrast William, but it's a good point. I do probably work more light-colored woods on the balance, but there is some black walnut and pseudo-mahoganies in there too.

[Pat Barry]

Nice project and thank you for identifying the parts needed!

[Jim Koepke]

Very nice indeed and another thanks for the parts list.

My impression from looking at many of these was a chamfer across the front is to keep from sawing into the chop when cutting half blind dovetails. Like anything else, there are dozens of ways to accomplish the finished task.

jtk

[Derek Cohen]

Hi Matthew

You've built a nice Moxon vise, and I wish you much pleasure in using it.

The ledge at the rear is not my design. You would have got that from another. My vise does not have that part, since I prefer to raise the tail and pin boards above the chop so as to avoid scoring it when marking with a knife. That is why I do not recommend one going to the trouble of a rear mini bench. In your case you can still add my modification, if you so desire.

http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ShopMadeTools/ModsfortheMoxon_html_m2bf9312d.jpg

The mods are here: http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ShopMadeTools/ModsfortheMoxon.html

The reason why Chris Schartz chamfers the top of his chop is because it is thick - much thicker than mine (since I use harder wood) - and the chop might obscure the board when sawing. Lifting the board also helps here in that regard. I like the flat section to use as a rest when paring baselines.

http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ShopMadeTools/ModsfortheMoxon_html_44dd4bc8.jpg

The sides of the vise are well done and look like mine.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Jim Koepke]

The reason why Chris Schartz chamfers the top of his chop is because it is thick - much thicker than mine (since I use harder wood) - and the chop might obscure the board when sawing. Lifting the board also helps here in that regard. I like the flat section to use as a rest when paring baselines.

Good reasons for either style, lets make two!

jtk

[Matthew Cashman]

Thanks for the commentary all.

[daniel lane]

Nice vise, Matt! I didn't bother with the chamfers on mine (lazy) but I did cut the chop slightly wider (taller) than the base and installed it with the tops flush. This small extension allows me to quickly register the vise to the front of my workbench before clamping it in place. No idea if it's traditional or commonly done, I just figured it would help after some of the issues I'd had working on a non-traditional workbench (i.e. no real workholding capability). I'll have to see if I can find and upload a photo of it, but I caution it's not nearly as good looking as yours!


d

[Matthew Cashman]

Would love to see the photo Daniel, thanks very much!

[Tom Bussey]

My Cost was $115 shipped.

351551 351552

[Matthew Cashman]

Hmmm, interesting Tom. It looks like you bought vise hardware and some handwheels? Or is that the Benchcrafted kit, and you got it on sale or something?

[daniel lane]

Finally got some pics. I built mine from the Benchcrafted hardware right around the time they came out with it. I used maple, because that's what I had lying around that was thick enough. Leather on the chop only.

351658 351659 351660

In the last, you can see how the chop is a bit 'deeper'. I tried to show how it registers on the front of the bench, but it's not on a bench (so I couldn't clamp it) and it would fall off. The routine is to close up the chop, set it on the workbench and slide it back until it stops, then clamp it in place. Then, when I open the chop, the back of the vise is plumb with the front of the workbench and I don't inadvertently dent something trying to clamp it up.

Nothing pretty, but it works!

[Matthew Cashman]

Looks like an excellent vise Daniel, thanks for sharing.