The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

The L.C. Smith Collectors Association
[ The L.C. Smith Collectors Association ]

Work Shop/Gun Shop

Posted by Douglas Precourt on June 3, 2019, 2:15 am

I know that this may not seem like a very big deal to most of you, but with our move from Virginia to Colorado two years ago, our newly build home provided a small basement storage area which I have turned into a workshop. After 34 years of marriage, this is my very first workshop. You will notice that I have framed, installed and painted plywood walls, built a work bench, hung pegboard and lights as well as installed a sink. None of which I had done before. Using the pegboard and some shelves, I have worked to organize tools and materials. I even mounted my fathers old vice, which leads me to my first question - what do you use in the jaws of a vice to soften or protect barrels, gun actions, stocks or other gun parts?

Similarly, I would appreciate any advice that any of you might have regarding helpful gun workshop tools or even better ways of using or organizing this workshop.
Thanks in advance,
-Doug

Re: Work Shop/Gun Shop

Posted by Douglas Precourt on June 3, 2019, 2:23 am, in reply to "Work Shop/Gun Shop"

Re: Work Shop/Gun Shop

Posted by David Williamson on June 3, 2019, 7:38 am, in reply to "Work Shop/Gun Shop"

Doug very nice. You could use an auxiliary set of fibre board or leather jaws on your vice. I only use a metal vice for filing, maybe drilling, and use a wood workers vice that has soft wood faces but also has leather inserts.
Another good vice is a parrot vice, it swivels, rotates, tilts until you tighten the handle and then it is stationary in what ever position you like.
Nice job on your set-up area and hope you will show us some examples of your talent. Everyone has to start somewhere.

Re: Work Shop/Gun Shop

Posted by Tom Garver on June 3, 2019, 7:45 am, in reply to "Re: Work Shop/Gun Shop"

Doug, happy to see you achieved your goal that we talked about many months ago. I like the hand wash sink next to the bench. 2 suggestions would be a dead blow hammer and a small 10 piece file set both available at Harbor Freight. Great start on the man cave

Re: Work Shop/Gun Shop

Posted by Mark Robson on June 3, 2019, 11:51 am, in reply to "Re: Work Shop/Gun Shop"

So you have set a very high bar for neatness and organization! You can use some scrap plywood and glue some cork facing on that. Walmart has the cork in sheets. There is a good thread about how to make lead vice jaws on the DIY section at Doublegunshop.com. PS I will never be brave enough to post pictures of my shop.

Re: Work Shop/Gun Shop

Posted by Jack Kuzepski on June 3, 2019, 12:23 pm, in reply to "Re: Work Shop/Gun Shop"

I use thin leather scraps.

Re: Work Shop/Gun Shop

Posted by Carl Erickson on June 4, 2019, 7:03 am, in reply to "Re: Work Shop/Gun Shop"

For the vise : You can buy plastic inserts at Lowe's that have magnets to attach themselves wo the jaws of the vise. Also, you can fit pieces of plywood to fit in the jaws. Last, I use hard maple blocks cut out for the required shape when I need to have extra holding power.

Re: Work Shop/Gun Shop

Posted by Doug Precourt on June 5, 2019, 12:37 am, in reply to "Re: Work Shop/Gun Shop"

Thanks David, it’s becoming more and more fun. I just picked-up wood workers vise and like the idea of using it. I did get a Dremel vise from my father-in-laws things after he passed that seems to function in a similar way as a parrot vise, but will keep my eye open for a genuine one.
Thanks
-Doug

Re: Work Shop/Gun Shop

Posted by Doug Precourt on June 5, 2019, 12:56 am, in reply to "Re: Work Shop/Gun Shop"

Thanks Tom,
I recently picked up the very metal files you just suggested to try and clean-up some buggerd-up screw heads, so great idea. I do have a small rubber headed hammer that I think is pretty light, so your suggestion fits right in.
- Doug

Re: Work Shop/Gun Shop

Posted by Doug Precourt on June 5, 2019, 1:00 am, in reply to "Re: Work Shop/Gun Shop"

Great reference Mark,
Thanks

Re: Work Shop/Gun Shop

Posted by Doug Precourt on June 5, 2019, 1:09 am, in reply to "Re: Work Shop/Gun Shop"

Jack and Carl,
Great recommendations, especially about the thin leather and hard wood.

Re: Work Shop/Gun Shop

Posted by Douglas Precourt on August 23, 2019, 8:14 pm, in reply to "Re: Work Shop/Gun Shop"

Hi David,
I was wondering what size woodworking vice you use? I am seeing them as either 6 1/2” or 9 1/2” wide. What is your preference and why?
Thanks buddy,
- Doug

Re: Work Shop/Gun Shop

Posted by Bill Schodlatz on August 24, 2019, 7:38 pm, in reply to "Re: Work Shop/Gun Shop"

I found a British 6 inch hack saw and a set of blades for it that cost about $10 at Lowes. The fine blade cuts a slot that is only .020 wide. I file the set off the coarse one and cut slots that are .030 wide. Best cure for screw slotsiI have found.

Bill Schodlatz

Re: Work Shop/Gun Shop

Posted by David Williamson on August 26, 2019, 2:28 pm, in reply to "Re: Work Shop/Gun Shop"

Doug, I use two 9" front vises and a 12'" tail vise. The tail vise is only used when I have to clamp some long wood using the dog holes to hold it.
So long as the vise has guides to keep it parallel and a set of soft wood jaws you are good to go. Both the 9" have I believe 3/4" guides so it is pretty sturdy. The one vise also has a quick opening and closing mechanism that helps opens and closing faster. It is like a half-nut that flips in on the square threads.

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