Building a barrel vise

[70oldsracer]

I like the aluminum idea and switched the oak out for blocks of teak that I had from a boat project and found they seem to grab the barrel tighter and easier than the oak too. I will use some old lead pipe for next barrel as bushing material to see if the lead on barrel improves grip. But I just took off a Remington barrel that spun off easier that anyone could imagine using the teak so maybe don't fix something that isn't broken?

I usually just wrap the barrel with a piece of sheet rock tape, it protects the barrel and makes the jaws of the vise grip better.

 

[Muddyboots]

FYI - hitch ball wrench is perfect size for the barrel vise nuts and you can put serious torque on nut with how big these wrenches (18-19" long) are and they are dirt cheap either at Walmart or Harbor Freight.

Links:
Harbor Freight Hitch Ball Wrench
Walmart Reese Hitch Ball Wrench

 

[70oldsracer]

FYI - hitch ball wrench is perfect size for the barrel vise nuts and you can put serious torque on nut with how big these wrenches (18-19" long) are and they are dirt cheap either at Walmart or Harbor Freight.

Links:
Harbor Freight Hitch Ball Wrench
Walmart Reese Hitch Ball Wrench

I have two different size nuts that I can use, both have the same 3/4-10 thread. One uses an 1 1/8" wrench, but the larger one take uses an 1 1/4" wrench. I was leaning towards using the larger nuts. You can clearly see the smaller nut on the right side.

 

[70oldsracer]

Okay, I made a bushing that has a .750" ID. I haven't split it yet, because I want to cut a taper in it for a sporter Remington barrel. I was wondering if anyone had an old shot out sporter Remington barrel that they didn't need, I would obviously pay the shipping. My plan is to mount the barrel between centers and use an indicator in the tool post to match the taper. Let me know, thanks.

 

[birdiemc]

Liking the look of it so far...dont have one of those handy sorry

 

[70oldsracer]

The vise is done and a member on here (MNbogboy) was nice enough to send me a Remington sporter barrel. I was able to copy the taper off my Savage barrel and make a bushing. I realized that with my small lathe, my compound doesn't have enough travel to taper a 2" long bushing, it will only taper a 1 3/4" bushing. Not a big deal, because it's only with the tapered bushings, straight shanks I just bore accordingly. Here's my first bushing, tightens up really nice. Now I need to find a sturdy place to mount the vise. Thanks for all the help.

 

[Clark]

I made a barrel vise from 2x2 steel blocks and make collets from 1.5" Aluminum round stock.
At first I used 1/2-13 bolts, but later moved up to 7/8-14 later.

 

[70oldsracer]

View attachment 175331

I made a barrel vise from 2x2 steel blocks and make collets from 1.5" Aluminum round stock.
At first I used 1/2-13 bolts, but later moved up to 7/8-14 later.

Looks good, how do you mount it to the bench? Also, what size slit do you put in the bushing, or is it split in half?
I just finished making a tapered bushing for a Remington sporter barrel.

 

[sturner]

Threaded rods are weaker than grade 5 or grade 8 bolts unless you can find threaded coil rod

 

[70oldsracer]

Threaded rods are weaker than grade 5 or grade 8 bolts unless you can find threaded coil rod

I guess an actual stud would have been better. I figure as long as I tighten the nuts within the proper torque spec for a 3/4" grade 8 threaded rod, I should be fine.

 

[Clark]

Looks good, how do you mount it to the bench? Also, what size slit do you put in the bushing, or is it split in half?


I use 7/8-14 threaded rod because I have it in 6' lengths for making dies.

The bench is a 2'x3' elevator table welded together with 1/2" plate steel weighs ~ 350 pounds. I got it home and into the shop from Boeing surplus with help from the castors on the bottom. The bottom 2x2 steel is bolted to through 1/2" holes in the table with washers and nuts below. I am guessing how I did that. The bottom block might be threaded on top with 7/8-14, and the bottom of the same holes are threaded 1/2-13.

I made an insert today, but it is a lapp for the 30mm bearing journal on a mini lathe spindle.
You can see the slit is a bandsaw blade width wide.

 

[Clark]

here is the pic

 

[shortgrass]

For max grip you need to split the busing completely in half.

 

[70oldsracer]

Okay, thanks. I'm sure I'm going to need maximum grip for a Remington barrel that's never been removed, I hear that can be very difficult.