Barrel vise

[Joey]

I am in need of a new barrel vise. I bought one off ebay a couple years ago to pull the frame cut-offs off parts kit barrels. I have to tighten it down so much on the revolver barrels that it bent the top bar, 3/4" alu.
I am having trouble finding one that will work on a single six barrel, around .6700-.6800. I can find one that goes to ,7000.What do you guys use? I am getting deeper into working on these and need a vise that will work. Thanks for your help.

 

[Joey]

I think I have found what I need. Has a rimfire top option that works on .475 to 1" barrels. Should work nicely! The Python HD. The wider one can get into the front sight on a short barrel,
https://www.viperbenchrest.com/

 

[cellar701]

That looks like a very reasonable price for a barrel vise - good find!

For the work you will be doing you might be interested in this article:

https://www.bowenclassicarms.com/news/articles/Sight_Crankin.pdf

I made a simple barrel vise using wood blocks as described in the article and it has worked well for me.

 

[Joey]

Thanks, man. I'll check into that.

 

[Dan in MI]

I did and didn't make mine like the article. I took a piece of oak, drilled it for the diameter barrels I was working on and cut in half through the hole. The blade width made it just under size enough to grip. I just use my regular vice with the now two blocks.

 

[Hondo44]

Never use rosin to keep barrel from slipping. It will mar the bluing, and especially if it slips!

Barrels are tapered, the hole drilled in the wood blocks is not.
Your vise has to make up for that difference. I use duct tape folded over length wise so it's sticky on both sides and wrap the barrel with it overlapping the wraps. Then cover the tape with a piece of leather. It will fill the void between the tapered barrel and the straight hole in the blocks.

 

[peachhead]

Thanks for all the ideas. I am also looking for a good vise and will take some of this to heart.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Let's see . . . if'n I had me a good big bench vise, a big pipe wrench with a three-foot cheater pipe, and some duct tape, I could probably . . . destroy a perfectly good barrel and maybe even the frame as well.

Nah. Think I'll pass.

 

[Joey]

The Viper Vise came in today. It should work well on SA revolvers. Fits .460-1". I have an om .41 mag that has a NM barrel on it. I sent it to the mothership for a barrel issue, the sent it back with a book barrel. They did hide the book as best they could, but still visible. I have an om 4 5/8" I am going to put on it, Have to make a trip to hws to get some 1/2" mounting bolts. Looks and feels like a well-made vise.

 

[contender]

Do you have the main frame blocks to prevent warping the frame when removing or installing barrels?

 

[Joey]

No I don't. When I removed the barrel from the single six. I used an axe handle cut to fit the frame. Do you have a pic of the blocks? Thanks, Tyrone.

 

[contender]

I got a set of the frame blocks years ago from Brownells. I'll have to get them out & snap a picture if you can't find them on Brownells site.
Mine are for the Blackhawk full sized frame. The Single-Six is smaller of course.
I also know of the solid wood frame holder/wrench. I have a long piece of oak that was cut for that purpose as well.

 

[Joey]

You mean like this one? Brownell's has the inserts, not the wrench. Midway has the wrench, not the inserts. MW is very fast shipping, BRO not so much. Plus double shipping cost.

 

[Joey]

Actually, MW has them both. I have used them before many years ago, but don't own one. Browenell's has their branded kit, but inserts available only from them. The MGW picture above are available numerous places, plus Bro. shipping kinda knocks this one out.

 

[Mobuck]

I've never done anything with revolvers--only rifles. I bought an action wrench from either Midway or Brownells and made my barrel vise based on the drawbar and 'hammer strap' on the old 4440 John Deere. The barrel inserts were handmade from seasoned oak 2x4 lumber with acra-glass 'poured in' sleeves for a perfect fit.
Having the barrel vise attached to a 16,000# tractor precluded any possibility of ripping the vise off a workbench.

 

[Joey]

I saw this on the Viper website. Be easy enough to fabricate. Sounds something like what you did. As for an action wrench, I got a good deal on a Power Custom wrench with inserts for Ruger SA, should be good to go. Can't be putting an om Ruger in harm's way!!!!!!!!

 

[contender]

I have the frame blocks,, that clamp to the main frame with the cylinder removed. Then you can clamp that in a vice, and work on whatever. My set-up,, I have a barrel wrench that I can use to pull a barrel if I need to. I also have a barrel vise,, where I can do other work.

I'll have to take a picture or two.

 

[contender]

Here's a couple of pics of my frame blocks. They are from Power Custom.

 

[Joey]

Thanks much. Ty. The ones I ordered are from Power Custom as well, should have them Thursday.