Gun Holder

[VsTrees]

I'm currently building my first flintlock longrifle and have been using a regular vise with jaws padded with wood or sheets of brass. The vise is only about 5 inches wide. The commercially sold gun vises I've seen seem to just be able to hold the gun upright, in it's shooting position, rather than clamp it sideways or upside down. I am wondering if there is something else out there I should consider buying or is what I am using adequate. I haven't gotten very far into it and haven't started the shaping the stock yet.

 

[Zonie]

I've built a number of rifles using only a Pony 3" vise and a Black & Decker Workbench.
A lot of the work was done while sitting on a couch in my workshop.

I will say, a good strong table or larger workbench with a wooden top is a good thing to have.
After building several guns I got a Craftsman workbench at Sears. It's multiple drawers are handy and it's heavy enough to provide a good strong surface to bolt things like a vise to.

Speaking of that, I built this clamp which can be held on the workbench with a couple of small C clamps. It is made from a woodworking screw vise.

A few scraps of wood, some strong wood glue, some long dry-wall screws and a few pieces of leather are all that was needed to build it.

 

[jrmflintlock]

This was my setup when I first built it over 10 years ago. The parrot vice was the best investment. It spins, you can turn it on its side and it just holds the blanks nicely.

I made the bench out of 2x12 and carriage bolts and it is pretty solid. when I start to really saw or rasp on a stock I put cinder blocks on the bottom shelf to hold it down. If I ever actually get a shop to work in I will probably mount it to the floor.

Good Luck!

 

[dave_person]

Hi,
I use Pattern Maker's vises and an arm rest. In addition, I have 2 wooden leg vises on the opposite side of the bench that are really useful for stock planing, barrel and butt plate inletting.

dave

 

[Artificer]

Braden,

I'm sorry I have no way to post pictures.

At least 10 to 20 years ago in either a muzzle loading or modern rifle forum, one guy showed a "supporting device" that is used in conjunction with a bench vise for long barreled guns and lay them on their sides in the vise.

The Support Device is just a piece of 2 by 4 with two upright boards mounted to it, a wooden support bar, some leather and two sets of bolts/washers/wingnuts. The upright boards had long channels cut in them where bolts would slide up and down and tightened to keep the support bar of wood (wrapped in leather and with holes on each end for the bolts/washers/wingnuts to tighten at different heights) at whatever height needed to support the front of the firearm.

The idea is that the support device is free standing and can be easily moved wherever on the bench that is most convenient.

When I finally knocked one together, I found it very useful for placing the gun right side up or right side down in the padded bench vise and supporting the front of the firearm as well. I didn't have a way to make the long channels in the upright boards, so I used two pieces of wood that tighten around the uprights. Though maybe not quite as strong, it is still plenty strong enough.

Maybe someone else has something like this and could post a picture?

Gus

 

[dragnetbill]

Now you've done it, another project for my list; got the scrap, got the screws, got the glue; got the leather; just got to find some Pony clamps at the upcoming garage sales. Will have to pass on the couch though; the Mrs. won't give up the winter parking spot.

 

[chawbeef]

I like it Jim. :thumbsup: Just may add this to my arsenal. :hmm: ...............Chawbeef

 

[jrmflintlock]

That sounds like a neat idea! Send me a picture to [email protected] and I will post it for the group!

I also like that pattern makers vice! I like that the jaws also pivot! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Artificer]

JRM,

I don't have a computer capable camera, but will see if I can get my Sister to take some pictures with hers.

Gus