Shopsmith Forums

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

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.

Thanks Ed,

I’m going to take your advise and go with round dogs and go with 3/4”, there seems to be more options there than the 20mm.

Hardware installed.

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.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DPXHN128?r ... asin_title

They are rated to 180lbs, and I can also use the table and other Shopsmith attachments for additional support if needed.

That way I can use the vise, or as an assembly/ work table. (More pictures and progress to come.

Success !! Looks great. Looking forward to seeing photos of the modification....

Cheechako wrote: Thu Jun 19, 2025 12:11 am Success !! Looks great. Looking forward to seeing photos of the modification....

Turning into a work in progress, THANKS for the idea & inspiration.

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.
With the work top removed
With the work top folded

Looks good. Can't wait to see the end result with the bench dog holes...

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….

Front views with additional top attached Side view with top dropped down
Front view with top removed
Rear view with top removed.

Sweet! I hope the mothership is taking notes.

The maple looks fantastic. I thought it might be cherry, until I checked the start of the thread.