bench vise

[1s1k52]

any reason this wouldn't be an ok vise for my bench to work on ARs, pistols. mount the occasional scope, and other things around the house?

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... _200617136" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. I didn't realize these things went upwards of 300.00. Not worried about the teeth. I would rather buy one with teeth and use a shim. Then buy one without teeth and end up needing the teeth some day.

[Dave2]

I got one of these, and for the same purpose you're getting one. I can't give you a review of it because I haven't actually used it yet, but it seems well-made and the pipe gripper thingy makes it less of a special-purpose tool.

[dcphoto]

Shims or not, you shouldn't be putting an AR15 or pistol directly into a vise. You either need to make vise blocks, or buy them to use with a vise.

http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools ... 25011.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[eureka40]

Did you look at Harbor Freight? They probably have an inexpensive bench vise that's good enough for your use.

[JR's 12 Valve]

Whatever you decide to get, just remember vice blocks are your friend.

[TomsTXCHL]

Did you look at Harbor Freight? They probably have an inexpensive bench vise that's good enough for your use.

Dunno about vises re: gunsmithing but I do have a couple of these from HF and they are actually quite sensational for what you get. I'm going to make a wider top for one of mine (iirc it's 20x60 and I will make it 28 or 30x60 instead, "turning it around" so I can get my legs under it) and use it as a gun bench. Hadn't thought about using the integral wood vise as a gun vise per se; might work but likely not:

[OldCannon]

I got one of these, and for the same purpose you're getting one. I can't give you a review of it because I haven't actually used it yet, but it seems well-made and the pipe gripper thingy makes it less of a special-purpose tool.

This is exactly what I use. I also have various clamp mounts/blocks that attach to the vise -- aluminum and wood blocks. I also have channeled and unchanneled versions of these rubber blocks: http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools ... 22513.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Also, _always_ keep various scraps of thick leather around. It's amazing the number of ways I use them with my vise.

If you really want to have a "gunsmithing" vise, look into a Bisley (http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools ... 26704.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;). Frankly, I think you're better off with a sturdy 5" vise like the one Dave2 linked (and the one I own).

Keep in mind that a vise that's not solidly mounted to the floor/wall studs is pretty useless at best, and dangerous at worst

[1s1k52]

So a 5" vise seems to fit the bill. I am glad I can get one for under 100 because I am not taking into account the vise blocks, mallet or better hammer, punches, ways to adjust and measure torch, something to measure trigger pull. Gosh seems endless.

As far as mounting it. I have a work bench strong enough for me to stand and jump on. Would that not be a sufficient mounting place?

[OldCannon]

So a 5" vise seems to fit the bill. I am glad I can get one for under 100 because I am not taking into account the vise blocks, mallet or better hammer, punches, ways to adjust and measure torch, something to measure trigger pull. Gosh seems endless.

Become an FFL, then the endless costs become deductions

As far as mounting it. I have a work bench strong enough for me to stand and jump on. Would that not be a sufficient mounting place?

It's not the "up and down" that is the issue, it's the "side to side". You definitely can't (shouldn't) use a free-standing bench.

[1s1k52]

So a 5" vise seems to fit the bill. I am glad I can get one for under 100 because I am not taking into account the vise blocks, mallet or better hammer, punches, ways to adjust and measure torch, something to measure trigger pull. Gosh seems endless.

Become an FFL, then the endless costs become deductions

As far as mounting it. I have a work bench strong enough for me to stand and jump on. Would that not be a sufficient mounting place?

It's not the "up and down" that is the issue, it's the "side to side". You definitely can't (shouldn't) use a free-standing bench.

Maybe I should specify. My bench is bolted to the wall on the back side and to the end side almost like a giant l bracket

[TheCytochromeC]

You again?!

Hunt craiglist, take your time. I scored one of these http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/[pre-paid legal]/4450970776.htmlbut rustier for $40. Buy once, cry once and DON'T SKIMP ON THE PUNCHES. You don't notice a difference too much with the larger punches but cheaper punches bend/break after 1 imperfect hit.

[jiannichan]

I need to get a vise. I just don't have the room for a workbench. I have been looking up some alternatives and saw someone on AR15.com make one out of a heavy duty 3 step ladder with the vise bolted to the top. It pretty much made it portable where he can just fold the ladder to put it away in a corner. I was thinking about bolting it down to a 2ft x 2ft - 3/4" plywood with 2x10 underneath for reinforcement for the bolts. When I use it, I can just stand on it for torquing down the barrel. I basically want to be able to build/work on uppers instead of just buying them.

[1s1k52]

You again?!

Hunt craiglist, take your time. I scored one of these http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/[pre-paid legal]/4450970776.htmlbut rustier for $40. Buy once, cry once and DON'T SKIMP ON THE PUNCHES. You don't notice a difference too much with the larger punches but cheaper punches bend/break after 1 imperfect hit.

Ha Ha I was wondering if someone who commented before would comment again. My problem with going to buy a used one was I didn't know anything about them. Now that I have some guidance here I will pick it up. I swear I must have some kind of curse. If I even think about going fishing for my days off it storms all day. LIKE TODAY. If I even THINK of looking into purchasing something firearm or tool related something financial hits the freaking ceiling. Daughter needs a surgery that at minimum will cost 500.00 Before anyone gets all crappy with me. I will always put family first. I am just saying they all seem a little coincidentally inconvenient.

[jiannichan]

I don't know how good this is or what, but the price seems pretty nice for a heavy duty looking vise. If only I had the space in my tiny apt to work on refurbishing this, I would jump on it. I assume you can just flip it to use the other end correct? I've never used a vise with a regular clamp and a pipe clamp before.
Just posting this hear in case someone may be interested.
$30
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/[pre-paid legal]/4427218434.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[TheCytochromeC]

You again?!

Hunt craiglist, take your time. I scored one of these http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/[pre-paid legal]/4450970776.htmlbut rustier for $40. Buy once, cry once and DON'T SKIMP ON THE PUNCHES. You don't notice a difference too much with the larger punches but cheaper punches bend/break after 1 imperfect hit.

Ha Ha I was wondering if someone who commented before would comment again. My problem with going to buy a used one was I didn't know anything about them. Now that I have some guidance here I will pick it up. I swear I must have some kind of curse. If I even think about going fishing for my days off it storms all day. LIKE TODAY. If I even THINK of looking into purchasing something firearm or tool related something financial hits the freaking ceiling. Daughter needs a surgery that at minimum will cost 500.00 Before anyone gets all crappy with me. I will always put family first. I am just saying they all seem a little coincidentally inconvenient.

I feel you! You certainly don't need an expensive vise, but it doesn't hurt. They're like trucks though, old ones can work better than new ones. I don't know if I mentioned it before, but you're welcome to use my setup for whatever it is you'd like to work on while you get your rig going. I've got a vice and upper and lower vise blocks and some punches but my punches aren't the best. At any rate, if you get a free day we ruin whatever gun it is that you had in mind.