How to Make a Barrel Vise
- Check to ensure that your firearm is unloaded completely. Measure the circumference of the barrel at its thickest point on the outside of the barrel.
- Stencil the circumference of the barrel, minus 1/16th inch, onto the center of a 6x6x2-inch block of wood.
- Cut the wood block in half along your line using a saw. Cut out the semicircle stencil parts on both boards using a routing tool.
- Open the bench vise jaws to accommodate slightly more than 6 inches of space. Set one of the wood blocks onto the bottom portion of the jaw.
- Slide your barrel into the bottom half-circle on the wood until it fits tightly. Sprinkle sawdust onto the barrel: This will help create friction.
Full Answer
How do you attach a barrel to a vise?
Set the top wood block onto the barrel and slide it up to align with the other wood block, then close the vise down onto the wood blocks tightly. Your barrel is now secured in the vise and ready for work. Never attempt maintenance on a loaded firearm.
How do you sharpen a barrel with a vise?
Sprinkle sawdust onto the barrel: This will help create friction. Set the top wood block onto the barrel and slide it up to align with the other wood block, then close the vise down onto the wood blocks tightly. Your barrel is now secured in the vise and ready for work.
What are the barrel vises made out of?
The barrel vises are made from 2x2 steel. The collets are made from 1.5" round Aluminum alloy. At 550 foot pounds static, Kroil, and a sledge hammer, I can get most any old rusty military barrel off.
How long does it take to make a Barrell vise block?
here is how i made a barrell vise block for my Colt AR-15. Why spend big bucks for the tools when you can make them yourself? Here are the steps. It took me 15 minutes to make. This vise block is good for when you need to remove your flash supressor from the gun and not scratch the finish of the expensive/collectable rifle.
Step 1: STEP 1. Gather Your Supplies
All that is needed for this project can be found already in your workshop. supplies: power drill, tape measure, saw or power saw, friction tape, at least 8 inches of scrap 2x4, 9/16 boring bit, and a becnh vise.
Step 2: STEP 2: Cutting and Boring the 2x4 Block
start by measuring and cutting the scrap 2x4 into two 4 inch sections. after you have cut them place them together upright in to the bench vise and begin to bore a hole through the center. keep the drill as straight as you can so the boring bit goes in at a good angle so as not to get cockeyed and off center.
Step 3
after the block has been drilled (bored) out it will look like this. this is where the barrel will fit into when you clamp it into the vise. The last step is to line the wood channel with friction tape so the wood does not mar the gun finish and also to provide a bite to the metal to prevent slipping.
Step 4
this is how the block will work. now you are able to remove the flash supressor easily and you will not mar the gun barrel at al!
What is a gun vise?
Gun vises are simple tools that aid in the cleaning, maintenance, and repair of firearms.
Why do you need a gun vise?
As a gun owner, having your gun vise is essential because it makes cleaning your firearm easier. It makes applying lubricant and oil quick and easy, and because these tools are so versatile, you can bet that a DIY gun vise will work with a wide range of firearms.
What screws outperform wood screws?
Those who have used particleboard screws are already aware that they outperform both woodscrews and drywall or sheetrock screws. Particleboard screws are more robust, easier to drive in, less likely to strip the wood, and the head sinks deeper than other screws.
How to make uprights more stable?
Drill quarter-inch holes through the stationary uprights so that the spine and holes line up with the floating uprights in a more stable stance when they move in and out .
How to keep carriage bolts from coming unstuck?
To avoid getting glue into the carriage bolt threads, insert at least three inches of the threaded end into the stationary upright before applying glue to its shank.
How thick is a plywood vise?
Measure and mark all eight pieces of the wood you’ll be using for this vise. There will be four uprights of “one by” thickness, measuring 0.588 inches thick. The plywood base can be from the same material as the rest of the structure.
How thick is a vise?
The simple vise’s one 3/4-inch-thick spine comprises three pieces of 0.588-inch-thick wood laminated together to approximate that thickness.
What is the liner on a Vise bolt?
This way the finish is not marred, even bluing. Piece of cake! Vise bolts are 1 inch diameter high grade aircraft engine mount bolts. The ratchet used for tightening is a 3/4 inch drive with a 30 inch handle. I pad the action wrenches with either cardboard strips or copper strips.
Can wood blocks hold a barrel?
Wood blocks will not hold a tight barrel.
Is it hard to do a barrel?
The barrel is not that hard to do well but it is the action side that needs to be well thought out. Especially the old single shots. Some care in supporting them internally might be needed to avoid tweaking or even breaking them with the action wrench/tork...
Can you use a vise stand on a sawhorse?
That vise mounted on the sawhorse is OK for some jobs, but if trying to remove a tight Enfield barrel you will flip the horse or the barrel will slip in the wood blocks. Note my vise stand is bolted to the concrete floor with 6 each 5/8" diameter Hilti Quik Bolts. The floor in the shop was poured 8 inches thick to provide good support for the lathes and milling machine.
