I recently built a Moxon vise to make it easier for me to cut dovetails at the “work station” instead of my work bench. I have better light at the work station, therefore, it is much easier to see to mark and cut the dovetails. However, I did modify the Moxon vise to suit my needs. That is the good thing about woodworking – most craftsmen make changes to satisfy their own situation. When I was studying woodworking in college, my instructor, John Wesley Williams, insisted that I design my own items prior to building them. I was not allowed to use existing plans. Most of the time I was required to make a prototype or model. That has helped me tremendously in my business. I get requests all the time to make a piece of furniture to suit the clients needs, so I design and build a piece for an existing space, a custom size or custom style for the customer. To modify an existing shop made tool, no matter how old the design, seems natural to me. If you have a need for a special, shop made tool don’t hesitate to modify it to fit your personal needs. Afterall, you are the one that will be using it! I would like to hear about any shop made tools or jigs that you have customized for your use.

Enjoy your shop time,
Jerill