Chris Schwarz sure started something with these Moxon Vises.  Some people might look at this as a fad, but I know it solves a problem I’ve had for a while, a tired back.  I solved the tried back problem a couple years ago, when I built what I called a Benchtop Bench.  This worked well, to raise your work up, so you aren’t hunched over while cutting joinery.  The only real issue I had with my Benchtop Bench, was storage.  Even though it’s kind of small, it was bulkly and difficult to find a home for.  I have a spot where I think the Moxon Vise can hang the wall.  It will make it easy to get to, which means I will use it more.A lot people are making their own screws and handles for their Moxon Vise and I admire that.  I recently bought some bench vise hardware from Benchcrafted, for a new bench I’m planning to build.  Even though I haven’t used the hardware yet, I was very impressed by the quality.  So much so, I decided to order their Moxon hardware.In the kit you get:  handles (hand-wheels), screws, nuts, washers, and suede leather for the chop.

You can use just about any wood for the vise.  The day I went to the lumber yard, Maple was the best choice.  I also looked at Ash and Beech, but selection was poor.  You really don’t need that much for the project.  You also don’t need to make the vise as large as the plans suggest.  The plans even show some shorter versions.

I did use the drill press to drill the ¾” holes through the two main pieces.  The holes on the front chop do get elongated, to allow the chop pivot a little.  This will let you hold some irregular shaped pieces if needed, and it just makes sliding the front chop easier.

The nut on the inside, needs to recessed.  You could just bore a round hole and slip the nut in, or even route a square hole with a template.  I wanted a clean tight fit.  I bolted the nut in place, and marked around it with a marking knife.

Then I bored out some of the waste using the drill press, then clean up the rest with a chisel.

Besides gluing the back clamping bar to the back, that’s all of the hard stuff.  After putting it together the first time.  I chose to flush up the top pieces.  It was pretty close, but it needed a few swipes with a plane.

The handles come as raw cast iron.  I’m sure they would develop a patina over time, but rust could be a problem.  Recently Jameel posted on his blog, a couple ways to patina the handles.  The first was to season the cast iron, like you would cast iron cookware.  I love my cast iron cookware, so I’m familiar with the process.  The only issue for me, was the logo button attached to the handles.  I asked Jameel if the plastic button would stand up to the heat of the oven and he said not likely.  Brenchcrafted is now shipping their handles without attaching the logo buttons, in case you want to do the oven approach.  The good news, Jameel had another option, Gun Bluing.  I’m no expert on Gun Bluing, but it’s a chemical process that adds a patina to the metal, to help protect it.

I picked a small bottle of the solution. I followed the instructions and added a few coats.  I got a nice deep patina on the handles.  Jameel then recommends adding a couple coats of Minwax Antique Oil Finish, to the handles.

My camera really doesn’t do the handles justice.  They look really nice, and I’m happy with this process.

The last step was to add the suede to the front chop.  I just used spray adhesive to attach the leather.  The leather really is optional.  I tested the vise before I put the leather on, and the holding power is amazing.  With the leather, it’s just out of this world.  I’ve had vises where I had to put a considerable amount of pressure on it and things still slipped, this isn’t the case with this vise.  The wheels spin fast and freely.  A moderate spin is all you need, to lock a piece in place.  I’ve never had vise work that well before.

Other people have made accessories for their Moxon Vise.  I may add a detachable support off the back, like a benchtop.  Other people have shown how this can help with transferring dovetails.  Others have made this a permanent fixture on the vise, but I’d like to make it detachable.  If it’s permanent, I’m back to a benchtop bench and storage because an issue again.

The Benchcrafted hardware is a luxury.  I’ve been selling some of the tools I don’t use anymore, and I decided to treat myself to something nice.  I don’t regret my purchase, and I can’t wait to start on the new bench!