Bench Vise for Rifles and Pistols?

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Rutger

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Hi!

I am looking for input and advise on the best model of work-bench gun-vise to buy. At this time, I have been using the kitchen table, with fair to poor results.

Looking through the gun shops locally, I see that there are a variety of options for gun vises, but most look like the ikea special and not worth the money.

I'm looking for input on what you use, does it work, and what model would you recommend if you had a do-over.

Thanks in advance!
 
Re Bench and vise

My best reloading bench was a bit of work. I made it like this. I laminated a piece of 1/2" melamine to a piece of 3/4" plywood and that was glued and screwed into a 2x4 frame. With a melamine top gunpowder glean up was a breeze.
For a gun vise I use a word working vise with the jaws covered in thick felt.
Makes for a very solid bench top and vise.
Hope this helps.
Russ
 
Any 4" machinist's vise with padded jaws will do nicely. The pads can be made out of thick leather. The bench will depend on how much space you have. A Black & Decker Workmate will do for most stuff.
 
It's not put together yet, but I picked up a 2x4 Basics bench kit from the Co-op on sale...I don't remember how much it was, but it was cheap...around $30 I think. Was planning to do the same as RusselO with the melamine over plywood for a work surface.

http://www.2x4basics.com/WorkBench-Legs.asp

I also nabbed a shelf kit that I will have a pegboard back for hanging tools etc.

http://www.2x4basics.com/Shelf-Links.asp

If I ever get out of the office long enough to get it all together, I'll post some pics. Others I have talked to said the bench kits were really solid.
 
In my shop, I made 2x4 frames bolted to the wall, joist hangers from the wall and a 2x4 surface (everything screwed in with 3 inch deck screws). Things bolt well to 1 1/2 inch material.
If you are going to buy a vice, get the best you can afford. I've split a 6 inch Mastercraft already. If you can, get one with removable jaw plates. You can make hardwood jaws for them and along with leather, things don't marr.
 
Benches aside. I have one of those red plastic MTM gun vices that was given as a gift. The Tipton vices are a better vice in my opinon and not much more money. There best gun vice is about $140.00 and will be my next purchase. I think it may have some use with handguns as well.
 
A Record (or any good brand such as Wilton) 4" to 6" bench vice with an assortment of jaw pads works just fine. I got a set of polyurethane jaw guards (Wilton) from KBC Tools and they really are great for holding firearms while one is doing such jobs as mounting scopes.
 
I have a 5" Cdn Tire swivel base and a 8" fixed base Record. Bolted to a 3'x8' 3/8" thick steal work bench. A nice table is great because you can bolt stuff down (reloading presses etc.) have them nice and solid and remove them for other projects.

For what it is worth I have slightly abused both vises with other metal working projects. I have broken two Cdn Tire ones and have both replaced under there warranty. The Record I picked up second hand at and auction and it still functions flawlessly.
 
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