Good day folks, I wonder if anyone has any experience with, or knows where to get a good Made in the USA, or European, Sweden or German, anything but China, bench vise for carving, and something that would be used by gunsmiths.

Preferably I'd like to see something that can be clamped to the bench while in use, and unclamped and out of the way to free up my bench during typical use.

 

The ideal vise would be multi positional for carving. I am interested in building flintlock rifles, I see other builders using a front vise to hold one end of the gun and a fixed or clamp-on vise to hold the other end. They are typically multi positional. Thanks for any help.

Well, I just found these images that help a little.

This fellow has two vises going, but that would mean I'd have to dedicate my bench to the craft. Or, there should be away to make some quick release toggles?

 

This is a great idea here, a dedicated stock carving and in-letting stand.

 

This fellow made his own checkering vise.

 

Just seeing these guys has spurred new ideas in my head, I could easily make my own vises for the specialty use of gun building. Less cost too probably! I got all kinds of good scrap lumber in thick dimensions that I could use to create a longrifle holder. The pocket book may take a hit for small hardware only!

John,

In the first photo it looks like the guy has the two vises mounted to a board that he clamps to his workbench when using them. You could look for a couple of Versa-Vises ( Ain't cheap very collectable)

Our sponsor Woodcraft has a Pattern makers or gun stock vise.

https://www.woodcraft.com/products/woodriver-patternmakers-or-gunstock-carving-vise?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIz6bN1rqy6gIVgq_ICh1LjgsBEAQYCCABEgJtOvD_BwE

Grizzly has the same vise cheaper.

 

Found a cool one at Garrett Wade

Versa Vise

 

Could also be made from wood but the time it would take me to do that could pay for the vise.

Edited July 4, 20205 yr by Gerald

3 hours ago, Larry Buskirk said:

John,

In the first photo it looks like the guy has the two vises mounted to a board that he clamps to his workbench when using them.

Larry, I did not even notice that, that is a great idea! Kinda opens up the whole world a bit more now! Thanks!

@Gerald and @Larry Buskirk, found the Versa Vise, thanks guys, nice vise!

Look up a pattern Maker's vise.

I've only seen a few and I've used a chas Parker pattern Maker's vise. Definitely expensive but it's a lifetime vise if you can find one for sale.

I have a Zyliss vise (now known as Z-vise) that is Swiss-made.   I can't say that i have used it much, but I pulled out the manual and was pretty shocked at all the features on it that I was not aware of.   I used to see them demoed at woodworking shows and sort of dismissed it as "it slices, it dices,..."    But someone gave me this one with another pile of junk tools.  Check it out, particularly used, as it may fit your needs.  https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/46634474/z-vise-manual

On 7/3/2020 at 8:39 PM, Gerald said:

Our sponsor Woodcraft has a Pattern makers or gun stock vise.

https://www.woodcraft.com/products/woodriver-patternmakers-or-gunstock-carving-vise?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIz6bN1rqy6gIVgq_ICh1LjgsBEAQYCCABEgJtOvD_BwE

Grizzly has the same vise cheaper.

 

Found a cool one at Garrett Wade

Versa Vise

 

Could also be made from wood but the time it would take me to do that could pay for the vise.

 

 

John,...these 2 right here are what I've seen recommended most often. 

Yo @John Morris,

https://www.woodcraft.com/products/woodriver-universal-vise

If you get the Versa Vise from Garret Wade let us know what you think about it,...I've looked at it myself.

I'm a vise collector... I have class 3 hitches mounted on all my benches. I put all different tools on the hitch including vises...

 

 

 

 

8 hours ago, Kevin Beitz said:

I'm a vise collector... I have class 3 hitches mounted on all my benches. I put all different tools on the hitch including vises...

 

 

 

 

Oooh, that looks like a nutcracker.

 

 

I have an Emmert vise, but they are pretty pricey these days.

 

 

12 hours ago, kmealy said:

Oooh, that looks like a nutcracker.

I have an Emmert vise, but they are pretty pricey these days.

 

 

I got one of them funny looking emmerts....

The Emmert I have is a patternmaker's vise.  

• Large flat faces
• Opens wide, maybe 10"
• rotates 360 degrees on its axis (the "bottom" side has a small set of metal jaws, the top has dogs)
• tilts 90 degrees from vertical to flat faces
• jaws will taper a few degrees (patterns are rarely square as they have to be pulled from the sand casting)
• Any or all of these adjustments at the same time.
• weight is about 85 lb.
  
  http://www.mprime.com/Emmert/index.htm

I have some like that made by Wilton...