Gunsmithing Bench vice
- Thread starter Outlaw45
- Start date
I just use the old craftsman that came bolted to the work bench when I bought my house. Keep some 2x6's and a scroll saw on hand and you can make custom vise blocks for just about anything.
Sorry this doesn't directly answer your question about purpose built gun vises, but IMO they are unnecessary unless you're going into business as a smith.
Sorry this doesn't directly answer your question about purpose built gun vises, but IMO they are unnecessary unless you're going into business as a smith.
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It's hard to beat a Wilton Bullet Vise. Figure $100-150 for a good, used one on Craigslist, and you'll probably do well.
Looking for a bench vise, or a barrel vise? They are two different things.
For bench vises, either buy a new Wilton (big $$$), or hit some local garage and estate sales. I don't even remember the brand of vise I presently have screwed to the workbench; my grandfather bought it from a garage sale when I was barely out of diapers, and since it had already survived a good half-century of use in someone else's hands, there isn't much likelihood that I'll find a way to break it. Still trying, though.
I have the Wheeler barrel vise. The included wood blocks are terrible, so I machine my own from aluminum to the size required by the project.
For bench vises, either buy a new Wilton (big $$$), or hit some local garage and estate sales. I don't even remember the brand of vise I presently have screwed to the workbench; my grandfather bought it from a garage sale when I was barely out of diapers, and since it had already survived a good half-century of use in someone else's hands, there isn't much likelihood that I'll find a way to break it. Still trying, though.
I have the Wheeler barrel vise. The included wood blocks are terrible, so I machine my own from aluminum to the size required by the project.
I bought a 6" vise at Costal Farm for about $125. I looked all over and it was the best vise I could find without buying a Wilton. I glued thick hard leather to the jaws and use it every day. I will eventually buy a Wilton vise.
Kc
Kc
Sorry for spelling it wrong. As for the Brownell's vise, I think it made overseas for awhile but now is made in America and quality is back.
I guess any bench vise will work for me. Just looking for a swiveling 4" or 5" vise. Then a good pair of pads.
I guess any bench vise will work for me. Just looking for a swiveling 4" or 5" vise. Then a good pair of pads.
No, it won't. The cheap ones will break at the worst possible moment, and at best they'll piss you off (at worst, they'll hurt you or your project when they come apart).
I have a Versa Vise. I like it for holding rifles or stocks for repairs cleaning and bedding. I made some pads for the jaws works well for what I need. It will not hold things super tight for heavy duty wrenching but it works great for rifle work
What I meant was any basic vise of good quality will work. Or are there any special qualities it needs to have, jaw width, height, etc.?
Glad to hear that you're looking for something of good quality, as a bench vise is often one of the most often-used tools in a shop.
The size of the vise really depends upon the work. A 4" vise will probably do just fine for most gunsmithing tasks. Something in the 5-6" range is nice if you foresee using it for automotive or home-improvement tasks.
I have a 4" Wilton bolted to a butcherblock table and it works for me, like others have aid you can make wooden inserts to hold whatever you need. I picked up some magnetic soft jaws for it from Lowes but ended up with leather scraps on it instead. The first real gun-related job I used it for was changing the sights on my S&W Shield a few weeks ago
I think it's also really nice to have a small swiveling vise too. I have a little Stanley model that has rubber pads on the jaws and it uses a ball & clamp so you can pivot the head at any angle you want. That one clamps onto a table, counter, etc with a padded clamp
I think it's also really nice to have a small swiveling vise too. I have a little Stanley model that has rubber pads on the jaws and it uses a ball & clamp so you can pivot the head at any angle you want. That one clamps onto a table, counter, etc with a padded clamp
I kept breaking vises until I got one I could not break. I got it from Boeing Surplus that painted it Seafoam Green. It is a 4" Columbian, and I cannot break it with a cheater pipe and a sledge hammer.
For barrels, the brownells 4 bolt vice has served me well for the past 8 years. It gets incredibly tight. I have bought or machined a couple dozen bushings for various barrel contours over the years.
As for standard bench vice, I just use the northern tool (chinese) ones. I have a big 12" one, and then a smaller 4" with two jaw sets.
As for standard bench vice, I just use the northern tool (chinese) ones. I have a big 12" one, and then a smaller 4" with two jaw sets.
For barrels, the brownells 4 bolt vice has served me well for the past 8 years. It gets incredibly tight. I have bought or machined a couple dozen bushings for various barrel contours over the years.
As for standard bench vice, I just use the northern tool (chinese) ones. I have a big 12" one, and then a smaller 4" with two jaw sets.
As for standard bench vice, I just use the northern tool (chinese) ones. I have a big 12" one, and then a smaller 4" with two jaw sets.
I have some no name swiveling pipe/universal vice I bought at big lots of all places for about 50$ only 10 years ago. Its fairly over built and I have put the hurt on it numerous times without issue. interestingly the same vice is sold at sears for 226$ now.
Here is an evaluation of various bench vise brands and models
Everything you need to know about bench vises... - The Garage Journal Board
Everything you need to know about bench vises... - The Garage Journal Board
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