Vise question > Build It Yourself

Posted: 7/15/2006 8:59:34 AM EDT

How wide does it have to open? Im making preparations to build my first AR and I am faced with a decision to buy a vise with either 6, 5, or 4 1/2 inch openings. Which should I get?

edited: Do I even need a vise if I get the Bushmaster manufactured Armorer's Action Clamp?

Posted: 7/15/2006 12:19:25 PM EDT

[#1]

Go for the six inch opening. More than you'll need for the AR action block, but once you have a vise you'll use it for other things besides building ARs

Posted: 7/15/2006 12:43:28 PM EDT

[#2]

The six inch costs a bit more, and im short on cash, so wich one is good enough for the action block?

Posted: 7/15/2006 1:23:07 PM EDT

[#3]

I would advise saving for a bit then until you coudl get the 6" vise. I look at tools as an investment, not an expense. If you dont want to wait, then get the 5" one.

Posted: 7/15/2006 1:36:16 PM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
I would advise saving for a bit then until you coudl get the 6" vise. I look at tools as an investment, not an expense. If you dont want to wait, then get the 5" one.

Seriously. Get the 6" if at all possible. You will never regret it.

Posted: 7/15/2006 1:36:20 PM EDT

[#5]

I have a 3" clamp type that I used early on, and it worked out. Now I have a 5" or 6" mounted to a table. Much nicer.

Posted: 7/15/2006 1:36:32 PM EDT

[#6]

I think ill go for the 6er

Posted: 7/15/2006 1:37:46 PM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
I think ill go for the 6er

neither link going to anything.

Posted: 7/15/2006 3:49:09 PM EDT

[#8]

I just shopped for a vise and I found that the 6" Wilton that Home Depot and Northern carries is a lot nicer than the Kobalt that Lowes has. This is an economy version, made in china Wilton so it was only app $70 not several hundred.

rj

Posted: 7/15/2006 3:49:30 PM EDT

[#9]

The 4 1/2" will work, but I would go with the 6".

Posted: 7/16/2006 2:03:38 PM EDT

[#10]

A decent 4" vise will do the job. A 4.5"-5" vise will be that much more beefy. I've been a diesel mechanic and machinist and never needed a 6" vise.

Posted: 7/16/2006 2:19:58 PM EDT

[#11]

the 4-4 1/2 in is fine; the $20 blue one from Lowes works for me so far....got a link to theat bushy armory's action clamp?

Posted: 7/16/2006 4:02:34 PM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
How wide does it have to open? Im making preparations to build my first AR and I am faced with a decision to buy a vise with either 6, 5, or 4 1/2 inch openings. Which should I get?

edited: Do I even need a vise if I get the Bushmaster manufactured Armorer's Action Clamp?

Buy a 6", more is better

I picked one up at Harbor Freight in DFW for very little.
I have a bushy action block, a barrel vice clamp set, and one of those action blocks that fit in the magwell. All are useful, and all require a vice!

Posted: 7/18/2006 1:34:05 PM EDT

[#13]

I picked up a nice 5" from Home Depot for $50.

Most important is that the vise be solidly mounted. The workbench must be well anchored. Mine has two layers of 3/4" ply on the surface, with glue in between, and drywall screws about every 6" all over the top holding the pieces together. Under the workbench there is not a single nail used. All assembly was done with Simpson Strong-Tie Connectors and deck screws. It is bracketed to the floor and the wall behind it.

edited: Do I even need a vise if I get the Bushmaster manufactured Armorer's Action Clamp?

Yes, you need the vise to hole the action block. My preference is the Peace River Action Block, which is the one sold by Brownells. Use an action block only for mounting or removing a barrel from an upper receiver. DO NOT USE an action block for installing or removing flash hiders and compensators. To do so puts stress on the barrel's index pin and the matching slot in the receiver.

You also need barrel vise jaws. Use barrel vise jaws, not an action block for installing or removing flash hiders and compensators. DO NOT USE barrel vise jaws for installing or removing barrels. To do so puts stress on the barrel's index pin and the matching slot in the receiver.

Posted: 7/18/2006 9:41:53 PM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:
the 4-4 1/2 in is fine; the $20 blue one from Lowes works for me so far....got a link to theat bushy armory's action clamp?

Home Depot carries the same brand, Wilton. It's a buck or so more, but my local Lowe's was out of stock. I've used it and it works just fine, see no reason to get a 6".

Here's the Bushy action block. I had the Peace River and prefer this one.
www.bushmaster.com/shopping/gunsmith/om-003.asp

A_Free_Man, I've used my action block to remove/install a flash hider. Guess I won't do that again. Don't know why I didn't use 2x4's and vice up the FSB like last time.

Posted: 7/20/2006 5:37:23 AM EDT

[#15]

i got a real nice 5" red wilton on amazon.com with free shipping. way better than the ones at lowes. sears has a good one too.
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0008JF9PO/qid=1153402574/sr=8-6/ref=pd_bbs_6/102-6585699-3152902?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=228013

Posted: 7/20/2006 6:15:40 AM EDT

[#16]

Big Vise!

(Harbor Freight) I have beat the heck out of this one and it is still going strong.

Posted: 7/20/2006 6:22:46 AM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:
the 4-4 1/2 in is fine; the $20 blue one from Lowes works for me so far....

+1, this is what I'm currently using. No problems yet.

Posted: 7/20/2006 9:08:01 AM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:
i got a real nice 5" red wilton on amazon.com with free shipping. way better than the ones at lowes.

The vice's at Lowe's are Wilton.

Posted: 7/20/2006 3:00:49 PM EDT

[#19]

When I built my very first AR I asked if I could use the shop vise at work on a Sunday afternoon. Dumb@$$ shop foreman said, "Absolutely not, it might go off."

I ended up using the vise on the back of a neighbor's welding truck.

Posted: 7/20/2006 4:16:46 PM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:

Quoted:
i got a real nice 5" red wilton on amazon.com with free shipping. way better than the ones at lowes.

The vice's at Lowe's are Wilton.

not up here. theyre a purplish color, kobalt is the co i think.

Posted: 7/28/2006 12:02:38 AM EDT

[#21]

anybody have any experience with those suction vise?

I live in an apartment, and dont have much room. Think one of these will work on the kitchek counter?

Posted: 7/28/2006 9:47:53 AM EDT

[#22]

Quoted:

Quoted:
i got a real nice 5" red wilton on amazon.com with free shipping. way better than the ones at lowes.

The vice's at Lowe's are Wilton.

not up here. theyre a purplish color, kobalt is the co i think.

Down here in Tx, they are.

Posted: 7/28/2006 10:35:14 AM EDT

[#23]

4.5" is plenty

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