The barrel vise on the fabricated stand, which is bolted to the 8 inch thick floor with six Hilti Qwik Bolts. Note the 3/4 inch drive ratchet with 30 inch handle that is used to tighten the bolts. Vise is made from 4140 steel blocks. I made it in 1972 after using a vise that gave problems.
Showing a M700 action with barrel clamped in the vise. The action wrench is made specifically for the M700, and has a index lug that fits in the magazine well, plus a lug on the front that indexes the recoil lug properly to the action. A 1/4"-28 socket head capscrew can be seen between the two clamp bolts, it screws into the front action screw hole for additional indexing. I have index lugs to fit the stock M700 lug, the Hollands, and the Tubb. The turned rod stuck in the action is a snug fit and prevents crushing of the receiver. (Mausers are very easy to crush, especially the Argentine 1909). Look carefully and you can see the brass split bushing around the barrel, and a piece of file folder stock that is between the bushing and the barrel. The file folder stock provides a secure grip and prevents marring the barrel. I can remove/install blued or bead blasted barrels without a trace of marring. The action wrench also has a piece of file folder stock to prevent marring the action. Vise clamp bolts are 1 inch diameter high strength aircraft bolts (Fine thread). This one does not slip, gents, and I do not need rosin, sandpaper, pipe wrenches, etc.
Three action wrenches (I have 9). Top is the M700, middle is for Mausers, M70, and similar actions. Bottom is for the P-14 and P-17 Enfield. Like the barrel vise, the wrenches are heavy duty and do not slip. The Mauser and Enfield wrenches are bored large enough to allow a 0.030" thick piece of soft copper to be used to prevent marring. Handles are 30 inches long, and I have a 4 ft pipe cheater for the bad boys, the real bad boys get a rap on the wrench handle with a 8 pound sledge. Gotta be careful with the hammer, though, it is real easy to damage a receiver. But, almost all can be unscewed with a good sharp tug on the 30 inch action wrench handle.
Internal action wrenches. These fit inside the actions. Used for switch barrel rifles where the barrels are not set up tight.
So, raid the scrap box boys, fire up your lathe, mill and arc welder, and build yourself a good barrel vise and action wrench system. All it takes is time!
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Currently in Exile on the Beautiful Olympic Peninsula of Washington State.
Email Address is rifles@earthlink.net
Web site http://home.earthlink.net/~rifles/
[This message has been edited by John Ricks (edited 05-23-2002).]
[This message has been edited by John Ricks (edited 05-23-2002).]
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