How to Build a Twin-Screw Vise | DIY Woodworking Tools #10

I recently found a HUGE M20 Turnbuckle while hiking, and thought I could built myself a Twin-Screw vise with it, since I needed another big vise.

The M20 Bolts from the Turnbuckle can apply several tons of force, so I think they're a great option for building a vise.

Not only can a big Moxon Vise like this hold your workpiece, but it can also hold tools such as Hand-Planes, Routers, Power sanders, and many more, which I will be going through in a future Instructable.

If you enjoy doing woodworking and metalworking projects, this vise is definitely for you! Both of them are involved in the build, and the vise can be used for them too!

Let's get started!

*Pssst! Don't forget to check out more info about the giveaway in the comments!

Step 1: What You'll Need:

Hardware & Materials:

M20 Turnbuckle
European Beech Wood (Dimensions are in the next step)
Metal Shelf Brackets
Several Small Screws
Hard Plywood
Water (Coolant)

Tools (+Attachments):

Hacksaw
Several Clamps
Bench Vise
Pen
Speed Square
Measuring Tape
7mm Chisel'
Drill-Bits: 4mm Drill-Bit, 25mm Spade Bit, 54mm Holesaw
Drill-Press
Drill
Hot-Glue Gun

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Recommended Safety Equipment: Earmuffs, Respirator, Safety Goggles

Cost (for me): FREE!

Difficulty: Fairly Hard

Approximate Time: ~5 Hours

Step 2: Cut Wood to Size

This step includes all of the wood sawing that you'll need to use. The following pieces of wood have been salvaged from an beech baby crib, a beech chair, and some hard plywood from and old disc organizer.

Here are the dimensions:

2 Pieces of 68 X 8 X 2cm (Beech Wood)

2 Pieces of 7 X 4.5 X 2cm (Beech Wood)

2 Homemade Wooden Washers: 54mm Outer diameter, 25mm inner diameter'

After making sure that they were square with a speed square, I cut the first pieces using a hacksaw. These will serve as the vise's jaws.

The second piece was also cut to two pieces with a hacksaw.

The wooden washers were made with a big hole saw, and then the inner part was drilled out with a Spade bit.

Step 3: Cut the Threaded Part Off the Turnbuckle

Here comes the world's worst step. Also an insane amount of work step when all you have is a hacksaw.

I sawed the both nuts off the steel. It took me over an hour. Make sure to lubricate it with water or any other lubricant to avoid overheating.

One of them didn't turn very well, so I cleaned it up with a coarse grinding stone.

If you still have hands, you can move onto the next step...

Step 4: Drill Holes in the Jaws

I clamped both of the biggest pieces on top of each other, and drilled 25mm holes where I wanted the bolts to be.

You'll need a fairly powerful Drill-Press to do this.

Step 5: Drill Holes in the Thread Holders

I don't know how to call these. They will protect the nut from digging itself into the jaws.

I marked the center of both of them, and then drilled a hole with a 25mm Spade bit.

Step 6: Drill & Carve Out the Wood the Spacers That Hold the Nuts

I first placed the nut of the piece of wood and traced out the outline.

After that, I drilled out several holes, and then chiseled all of the excess material out, as shown in the pictures.

Step 7: Glue the Nuts in the Spacers, & Spacers to the Jaws

I chose Hot-Glue to glue the nuts in the spacers. I suppose silicone would be a better choice.

I put some hot glue in the place that was carved, and then clamped it really tightly. When it had cooled down, I added more on the sides.

The last gluing step was to glue the spacers to the jaws,m which was done with hot glue too, and clamped quickly really tightly.

Step 8: Screw Everything Together

Screw everything together. Don't forget to add the wooden washers!

Make sure everything works as it is supposed to, and move on to the next step!

Step 9: Secure the Vise to the Table

You can use clamps, but I prefer securing it to the table with metal brackets.

I first marked where I wanted the brackets to be, and then drilled out the holes, and screwed the small screws in. Do not over tighten!

Step 10: Use Your Homemade Twin-Screw Moxon Vise!

Congrats! You've built your own moxon vise! I'm sure this will come in really handy for all sorts of projects. I think I'll make some small modifications to it

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DONE!

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