I've been playing with V1 today and finally dragged myself away from it for long enough to review it somewhat.
First of all I would like to review the build. I know that Douglas has built this as a prototype which is under continuous review and refinement in V2 and beyond....but honestly...the build quality of V1 would satisfy all but the most critical of users.
The handmade screws...given the method of manufacture are remarkably clean...
Screw pitch is a trade off between speed of adjustment and finness. The pitch is perhaps a little fine if you want to continuously go from closed to fully open...but honestly..why would you?
The tap produces a thread of the same quality....
I would love to see what this could do with boxwood!
Douglas has voiced his concern about the bosses....
...potentially pulling out...but I would seriously doubt this. V2 has however been changed to take account of improvements in this area though...
The quality of finish...considering this is from "scrap"...(yes really!)...is fine...and the attention to detail typical of what we have come to expect from this craftsman! 8) It is perhaps a little over the top that the boss wedges both point upwards when the jaws are precisely parallel. Douglas thought I might notice if he didn't do this...nah! Would I? :mrgreen: :wink:
The jaws have a huge capacity at full stretch....
...and we can also see the bias on the jaws...which is really useful...as is the precisely placed and cut "V" groove....
...particularly useful for me...as it allows the secure but delicate clamping of round and irregular stock...like handles.
The Tru-Oil finish adds a beautiful touch (yes I'm biased!)....to the finish...protecting the wood with a super hard-wearing but tactile layer.
The vise fits beautifully in my No.52 1/2 and is rock solid...at even full height!
I started out with a very thin piece of irregular English oak offcut....with the intention of precision planing it to a perfect square profile...and using my prototype plane...I was able to hold it at the right height and use my knuckles as guides along the top of the vise jaws...maintaining a perfectly flat...regular finish!
The deliberate racking of the individual screws allowed me to firmly lock the piece of stock...even though it started out with quite a taper. You don't realise how handy this is until you try to do it in the standard screw vise and the thin end slips down...however hard you tighten it. With the Moxon clone...it's firm at both ends...and all points in between.
I even went as far as planing down a 12 degree wedge...side on with no movement whatever! Try doing that in a stock vise!
I was going to make a wall mount to hold this vise when not in use...but I have a feeling that could remain quite empty for most of the time! This is going to stay right where it is for now!
Nice one Douglas...a great take on an old concept...right up my street! =D>
Jim