Bob Hackett
The link went a long ways toward clarification of the mechanics of how this beast is supposed to work.

I gotta say that because I have and work in a mixed materials shop I have to build everything to pass the "blacksmith`s test", which essentially means will it stand up to the abuse of a blacksmith putting his body weight behind the operation of it and then maybe helping it along with a 3 pound(or better) hammer.

Having seen a wagon vise used as a horizontal arbor press in another person`s shop that`s what I would be designing one to withstand if I built one. Lags screwed into end grain and wood joinery holding vise components together would not last long in a shop like mine. Even for a metalhead like me those multiple hardware store bolt heads interrupting the surface of end cap are just plain ugly. I`d use polished bronze or stainless at the very least.