Many years back I made a low profile vise to hold small parts on my CNC. 

There were three aspects of that design that could be improved.  Opening was limited to 3" or width.  The moving jaw wasn't attached to the threaded shaft and had to be pulled back manually.  Lastly the 3/8-16 shaft was slow to move the jaw.  Not a big problem on a small vise.

These are an updated version.  Longer (19" opening).  The moving jaw sticks to the  shaft with a rare earth magnet pin.  Lastly a push button release lets me move the jaw quickly.

I used Teflon for dovetailed slides.  Aluminum buttons, mostly made using my CNC.  Push in to release the shaft.  A conical spring under the button pushes it up to engage the threads. White oak handles. Magnets are the bearing surface the shafts push against in the jaws.  The magnets also keep the jaw attached to the shaft as it retracts. 

4D

More info, details, and photos of the vises are now live on my blog: https://4dfurniture.blogspot.com/2026/01/new-updated-cnc-bed-vise.html

4D

Very creative and great solution.