$10 Moxon Vise for my table saw top

Despite not (yet) having a workbench in my small shop, I needed some interim clamping help as I worked on end pieces and other small cuts. As the best surface in my current shop is my table saw, I figured I could use a Moxon vise to help my table saw table do double duty for me until I get my workbench complete.

As to the build of it, the pictures are pretty self explanatory. Laminated some leftover 3/4” plywood for the front and back of the vise, then went to the home center and bought some 3/4” threaded rod and nuts. I chiseled hexagonal holes in the back to embed and epoxy two nuts to the back of the vise, then I jointed and laminated some 2×4 scraps, cut them down into octagonal shape and chiseled/epoxied in the threaded rods for the handles, which got 1” holes to receive the oak dowels.

I also attached a cleat on the back to receive another bit of plywood to give more support for horizontal work.

It took the better part of the afternoon to complete, but it works great. Clamped down to the table, it’s as sturdy as I can hope.

Only problem is I can no longer blame my poor quality handout dovetails on my lack of a workbench.