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Having a very small shop means that I do not have the room for a beautiful, Roubo style work bench. In the mean time I designed and built this Moxon Vise/mini-bench to place on my shop counter. There have been many of these on this site so it might look a little familiar. The first picture shows the finished vise. The holding power on this thing is amazing! I have used the Benchcrafted hardware kit on mine but afterwards I also found a really nice hardware kit from Jason at Texas Heritage Woodworks. Give him a look…along with all the other cool things he offers!

The bench portion was created by cutting down 7" wide x 2" thick hard maple boards. I processed them down to create a bench top approximately 27" x 16" x 3". The back of the vise is 32" x 5.5" x 1.75" and the face of the vise is 28" x 5.625" x 3". The face is made from quartersawn white oak and hard maple. The face was made 3" thick since I wanted to use dogs in it and that was the recommended thickness. To add a bit of bling to it I did a claro walnut inlay of my makers mark. There are two 2.5" tall x 2" thick bench supports that hold everything level and help attach it to the counter top. The supports are screwed on to adjust for wood movement.

The vise was finished with three coats of tung oil.

I cannot wait to take full advantage of this vise! I never had a spot where I could really use a handsaw or hand plane…this is going to be awesome! Keep making that sawdust everyone!

Gallery

Comments

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Nice one Jeff.
Boy, do I want one of these.

Steve
 

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Very nice build. Solid enough for anything. I know what you mean on being short on room. I just posted a fold down style work bench that is working out great for me. We do what we have to. Beautiful work Jeff.
 

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Wow looks great. This is going to be my next project. I am going to make legs for it though so I can use it for a small outfeed table as well.
 

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Great build Jeff…now I want one! Yours looks terrific…lots of good craftsmanship!
 

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Thanks for the great comments guys! Steve, just do what I did and buy the hardware kit…it sits and stares at you forcing you to finally build the vise:) Dave, that is a nice looking bench you have there. I love the drop leaf idea. Sk1ppr, that is a great idea for an outfeed table. It would be nice if you could still raise it up a bit higher when you wanted…maybe adjustable height legs. Gbear, time for you to make one also then! It is definitely a good project to gain some knowledge on bench building. Once day I will have a shop big enough to make that Roubo…and now I have some now skills for accomplishing that.
 

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If you don't mind me asking, what did the kit cost?

I too, have a small shop and am totally sick of the tons of crappy vises and versions of crappy vises that I have made over the years and I am actually ready to spend some money for some peace of mind - like yours.

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!
 

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Great execution!
 

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Very nice, congrats.
 

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Thanks guys! Uncle Stumpy, I purchased the Moxon Vise hardware kit from Benchcrafted for $149. I believe all the hard maple cost right around $85. I think the hardware kit is completely worth it. Top notch material.
 

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Beautiful. Now I'm tempted to make one.
 

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Jeff,
Bench looks great, like all your work. I have one using the same hardware in process at the moment. Anxious to get my new bench up and working. Thanks for the look at yours.
Roger
 

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Your vise build is terrific! I'v looked at quite a few of them and yours is my favorite. I am thinking about building one of these for a little shop I have at the apartment I live in M-Th. I have a full shop at my weekend location. This would fit the bill for me. At the moment I am working on an old piece countertop. Currently live in Germany but going to the USA for Christmas. Now I know what ask for…Santa can bring me the hardware kit!
 

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Great job, I so need one of these. How does it mount on the bench or does it just sit on top? I too have a small shop and would love to make one. Thx for sharing
 

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Great job! And thanks for the link, nice stuff at Texas Heritage Woodworks.
 

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Thanks everyone! Tyvekboy…you will not regret it. Roger…with the quality of your work I can't wait to see yours. Linda…I think this will work perfectly for you! Ken, I have it screwed in from underneath using (4) 1/4-20 lag bolts. Mark..awesome that you checked him out. Extremely nice "Made in USA" items.

So the dog holes in the front of the vice where drilled to a depth so I can install Veritas Prairie Dog's These will work really well.

I also thought of installing one of these to get some clamping action in a different direction: Veritas Inset Vise Maybe at some point in the future
 

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My bench is coming along. Will be a while though. Just messed up my right shoulder, which will slow thing s down. But, My bench is being made to accommodate round dogs, square dogs (veritas) primary on the tail vise line. But I also have four WonderDogs from LeeValley that I use on my box glueing fixture, that will also work fine on the bench, as all require a 34" hole. Don't know if the WonderDogs would be of any value on your bench, but they are indeed nicely made and very versatile. I'm also looking at the Veritas clamp down units that also go in a 3/4" hole. Very nice units, but just not sure I need them. Anyway, I'm workin' on it. LOL
Roger

BTW: your little bench is gorgeous.
 

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Good stuff Jeff
 

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Thank you Roger!

Happy Holidays Everyone!
 
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