Using a vise to hold rifle while mounting scopes. Questions about how to build a "leveling plate." - Page 1

Site Notices

TNVC Partners With Envision Technology - MARS Rangefinder Family, MARS-Lc!

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Using a vise to hold rifle while mounting scopes. Questions about how to build a "leveling plate."

Posted: 3/6/2018 12:00:38 AM EDT

I have a mom and pop gun shop. In 2017 I mounted 253 rifle scopes. I hope to do more this year so I want to streamline my process. I am experimenting with holding the rifle barrel in a floor-mounted vise with a barrel vise block to protect the barrel. I will need to be able to level the vise once the gun is mounted. I can level the gun and then tighten the vise but it would be more precise if I just leveled the vise. Do you have any ideas how to build a leveling plate?

Thanks for your help.

ETA: I currently have two Hyskore Cleaning and Sighting rests with Wheeler Engineering level sets. I have found that I have the let the barrel mounted level "settle" for several minutes because it will twist on the barrel if tightened too much. That is what got me to thinking about creating a more rigid way of holding the gun.

Posted: 3/6/2018 12:05:51 AM EDT

[#1]

Double tap

Posted: 3/6/2018 12:08:23 AM EDT

[#2]

Seems like you already have it figured out.

Posted: 3/6/2018 12:20:23 AM EDT

[#3]

Quote History

Quoted:
Seems like you already have it figured out.

View Quote

I just need some ideas on what hardware to use to build a leveling plate for the vise.

Posted: 3/6/2018 1:09:03 AM EDT

[#4]

3/4 or 1 inch plywood three Tee Nuts on the bottom side and leveling adjustment knobs from the hardware drawers at an Ace hardware store. Add two levels, one mounted lateral, one mounted longitudinal.

Posted: 3/6/2018 1:45:26 AM EDT

[#5]

Aero thanks for showing up. I am going to build the leveling plate out of metal. However, your suggestion for using three levelers (instead of four) is one I have not thought of, so thank you very much for that.

The only bubble level I will use in on the scope base itself. I really don't care if the vise is level, just the gun. I just need a way to adjust the vise to make the gun level. Your suggestion will help me alot. Thanks again.

Posted: 3/6/2018 3:26:38 AM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:
Aero thanks for showing up. I am going to build the leveling plate out of metal. However, your suggestion for using three levelers (instead of four) is one I have not thought of, so thank you very much for that.

The only bubble level I will use in on the scope base itself. I really don't care if the vise is level, just the gun. I just need a way to adjust the vise to make the gun level. Your suggestion will help me alot. Thanks again.

View Quote

Get yourself a mini ball mount like is used on cameras, they will come with a 1/4 or 3/8 threaded hole in the bottom of them that you can mount to your bottom plate, then do your top plate with 4 t-handle screws that you can adjust and center on your bubble level. The top of the ball mount will have a threaded bolt as well. and they have a friction knob to adjust how firm they are, but they give you full 360 degree adjust ability.

Something like this one, you can get them in several different sizes and weight capacities.

Ball mount Amazon.

Posted: 3/6/2018 5:31:23 PM EDT

[#7]

Looking to do something like this

Click here and wait for page to fully load. A few seconds and you will see the correct image.

Posted: 3/6/2018 5:47:20 PM EDT

[#8]

I may have figured out an elegant solution. I have a bench grinder stand that has a tri-base on it. I can use leveling feet on the base of the stand. Would rather have the adjustments at hands' reach but this may be too simple to overlook.

Posted: 3/6/2018 7:45:45 PM EDT

[#9]

Would be very easy to do with a ball head in the middle and 4 thumb screws on the corners to even things out, I might even have an extra ball head laying around here I could send you, I am sure I could build one in a couple of hours.

@jonblack

Edited to catch jonblack's attention. AeroE

Posted: 3/6/2018 10:23:45 PM EDT

[#10]

Let's see if the levels are visible on this rest:

Posted: 3/7/2018 1:39:58 PM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
Would be very easy to do with a ball head in the middle and 4 thumb screws on the corners to even things out, I might even have an extra ball head laying around here I could send you, I am sure I could build one in a couple of hours.

@jonblack

Edited to catch jonblack's attention. AeroE

View Quote

Wow! That would be awesome! Will PM you.

Posted: 3/14/2018 2:20:27 PM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:

Wow! That would be awesome! Will PM you.

View Quote

jonblack,

Wanted to know I did not forget you, the only ball heads I have hear at home are very large ones, but I still have a couple of boxes I need to look through in my storage unit located in town to see if I have some of the smaller ones in those boxes.

Posted: 3/18/2018 2:40:01 PM EDT

[#13]

Dave

No worries! I know these things take time, especially when a brother is trying to help you out.

Posted: 4/25/2018 8:47:52 AM EDT

[#14]

I've been working on an elegant solution as well. Looking at a Wilton Power Arm vice mount.

Posted: 5/18/2018 12:10:53 AM EDT

[#15]

That Wilton Power Arm is really cool. Thanks for sharing.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Using a vise to hold rifle while mounting scopes. Questions about how to build a "leveling plate."

Armory » Gunsmithing

Win a FREE Membership!

Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!

You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.

Warning

Confirm Action

About AR15.COM

Stay Connected

Newsletter

Contact Us