Here is the beginning of my attempt at building a Mononoke Vise.
I’m using Maple (available in my area) and it’s 5 3/4w x 30l x 1 3/4 d. The hardware arrived today so installing that is the next step. My current thinking/plan is not to add a bevel to the front jaw (I don’t do a lot of hand work so I’ll leave it square, if needed I can add one in the future.
So my question is about bench dogs. I’d want to add some and would like to solicit input on what to do. Things like what type / kind / quantity / size etc. I don’t have any in my workbench and admit that I’m a noob on the subject. So any ideas, suggestions & experiences would be appreciated.
Thanks…. Steve
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Last edited by cooch366 on Thu Jul 03, 2025 3:44 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Round dog holes seem to be the most popular. You can buy plenty of dogs that fit in them in different diameters. All you need to do is drill holes. 3/4" dogs are common and probably the largest you want to use in 1-3/4" stock. There are inexpensive plastic versions and you can make your own from wood. Nice brass dogs are rather expensive these days.
Square dogs are easy to make if make the jaws with at 3 layers of wood and the leaving the square holes open between segments of the center layer. There was an article from a woodworking magazine on a rapidly built workbench that use that method. It also had a segment with one end beveled to 45° that can hold a Jorgensen style wood clamp to secure pieces at an angle. Unlike round dogs the square ones are secured with a springy segment of wood on one side.
If I can find that that article I'll post a link. I'd just go with round holes myself.
But I’m going to try and add a modification. I’m building a 30”l x 11”w “bench with dog holes” that I will be able to attach & remove to the rear fixed jaw using these.
Some progress. Brackets arrived today, one is bad, doesn’t have mounting slots so I’ve got replacements comming. But was able to get it rough mounted. So now it’s on to drilling some bench dog holes, sanding / cleanup, & finish.
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With the work top removed
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With the work top folded
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Moxon Vise / Mini Workbench complete. I decided on Veritas Prairie Dogs for the jaws with some aluminum (in removable top) ones for added flexibility. I’m real happy with the way it came out. I can see having a small height adjustable work bench will be a great addition to the shop.
Thanks again Cheechako, for the idea & inspiration….
RF Guy