which spring vice?

[olskool]

I need a spring vice to compress both frizzen and main/hammer spring. I have a Davis MG classic lock. which one should I get that will do both springs?

thanks mike,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Zonie]

I haven't had much luck getting a mainspring vise to work on a frizzen feather spring.

The feather spring is easily compressed with small locking pliers like Vise Grip's. Just be sure to pad the jaws with something soft to keep them from marking up the spring.
Also, remember, the feather spring only needs to be compressed a little bit to take the load off of the frizzen cam. Don't over do it and you'll be fine.

 

[Flintandsteel]

Thomas Curran makes the best one I've seen and used. Has three separate holes for the screw for three different size springs.
You can order them from Jim Chambers.
Please, do yourself a favor...... don't use vise grips.

 

[Eutycus]

I don't have a flintlock and may be speaking over my head. But Vice Grips come in many sizes and also come in a needle-nose variety. Amazing what you can do with them and a little imagination. And patience!

 

[Stophel]

I use the one from R.E. Davis. It works quite well. Sometimes the shape and size of the frizzen spring makes it more difficult to get ahold of, but I can always manage.

 

[rickystl]

This frizzen spring vice is very handy. Only seen them offered at Dixie gun works, and often out of stock. A bit pricey. Made in England and case hardened. But as mentioned above, needle nose vice grips with padding will work just as well.
Rick

 

[olskool]

that is what I was thinking, padded needle nose vice grips. I am a professional transmission rebuilder so I have 45 years experience with delicate springs and such. I won't need it on a day to day basics so I my use my pliers, "carefully" ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Vaino]

I use the main spring vise only to remove the main spring....don't remember where it came from. The frizzen spring is removed using Vise Grips w/ some masking tap over the spring. Have been doing this since I started building flint LRs {1976} and have never broken a frizzen spring. As was said.....not much compression is needed to loosen the frizzen......Fred

 

[sdilts]

I second the vise from Tom Curran. It's the best one I have used.