Bench Mount Barrel Vise _ Advice

[OldRust]

I don't have access to the monster Wilton bench vise that I've used in the past to remove stubborn breech plugs so I'm looking into purchasing a bench mounted barrel vise. I'm leaning towards the Mechforce 4 bolt beast. Anyone have any experience with these guys for ML barrels, round and octagon ?

Thanks
O.R.

 

[user 34300]

I have made vices like that. It will work. You will need to flip it over and use the flat sides. Making it with a half round saddle and leather padding is a bad idea for octagon barrels. As shown, a round hole with leather, lead and such will slip and mess up your barrel.

Get a couple of big steel V-blocks for use with octagon barrels. Or, you can make some maple blocks that fit the octagon and apply powdered rosin. Use the flat side.

You can make a similar vice out of big steel and a couple of grade 8 bolts. 1/2" x 2" is enough. You can often find shorts at a steel supply place for free or nearly free. 1/2 NF bolts are plenty.

 

[Vaino]

My large Starrett bench vise w/ smooth surface jaws and 1/8" thick copper pads has held well for a few really stubborn breech plugs that came loose after a 2' long pipe was attached to the Crescent wrench. I also pad the plug bolster w/ copper shims. I've got 2 vises attached to my bench and wouldn't attach any other tool to it. The 2' pipe also aids in aligning the 2 witness marks when installing the breech plug.....Fred

 

[OldRust]

I have made vices like that. It will work. You will need to flip it over and use the flat sides. Making it with a half round saddle and leather padding is a bad idea for octagon barrels. As shown, a round hole with leather, lead and such will slip and mess up your barrel.

Get a couple of big steel V-blocks for use with octagon barrels. Or, you can make some maple blocks that fit the octagon and apply powdered rosin. Use the flat side.

You can make a similar vice out of big steel and a couple of grade 8 bolts. 1/2" x 2" is enough. You can often find shorts at a steel supply place for free or nearly free. 1/2 NF bolts are plenty.

Scota@4570 Good advice on flipping the plates. I agree the V blocks and maple blocks would be a good option too. I have fabricated similar and larger projects in the past without any problem but age and shoulder surgery's has taken all of the fun out of that.
I do have room on my bench for one of these. The bench is a beast with a 2 1/2" oak top and 3 1/2" angle iron legs so there would be no racking.

Thanks
O.R.

 

[OldRust]

My large Starrett bench vise w/ smooth surface jaws and 1/8" thick copper pads has held well for a few really stubborn breech plugs that came loose after a 2' long pipe was attached to the Crescent wrench. I also pad the plug bolster w/ copper shims. I've got 2 vises attached to my bench and wouldn't attach any other tool to it. The 2' pipe also aids in aligning the 2 witness marks when installing the breech plug.....Fred

Hi Fred I have a couple of bench vises and really don't want to add any more large ones. My go to bench vice is probably sizeable enough and I think would do OK buy I prefer to use, not abuse it. It's of 1860's civil war era mfg. Yep I have assorted lengths of cheater pipes and a good 15" crescent wrench to persuade with.

Thanks
O.R.