AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: Ron Scott on July 31, 2022, 03:23:57 PM
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This Vise known as a Kimball was produced in limited quantities and is impossible to find today. I know three modern gun makers who own and use these with great enthusiasm. I am interviewing current users of this vise for feedback on potential modifications with the expectation of a batch being manufactured. Cost is unknown, but would speculate it would cost two to three times the amount of the pattern makers vise being sold today. Obviously a larger number of units produced will yield a more economical price. This vise features a 360 degree rotation, swiveling jaws, positioning on the workbench and is extreme rigid. Feedback is encouraged.
(https://i.ibb.co/58gZkJw/image000002.jpg) (https://ibb.co/7WdhQ0L)
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Similar to the https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-pattern-maker-s-carving-vise/t30398 (https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-pattern-maker-s-carving-vise/t30398) The big difference is the vice in your pic has the ability to rotate the piece clockwise\counter clockwise where the Grizzly model, the vice jaws must be loosened, the piece turned, and the jaws retightened.
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nifty, I'm in.
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If a vise can be art, that is art.
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Yep if it can be rotated around without loosening the jaws or the piece therein, I'd be interested as well.
I'm not 'in the know' on these, so (1) can it rotate around the horizontal plane without piece being loosened, and (2) can it rotate around the vertical plane without the piece being loosened? Because if both, that's gold Ron, gold!
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Yup. that’s a vice I could use Ron. It appears by loosening the square drive at the right it will move in and out, swivel horizontally and vertically. Like Eric said….I’d be interested if that’s correct.
Bob
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I'm interested
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I like it!
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Here is a post from me some time ago regarding this vise. Having had an opportunity to see and handle one in person I believe it is without equal. Al Lind is near you, Ron, and I think he is still building guns.
https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=44637.msg560367#msg560367
I would pay dearly for one of these.
Dennis
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The biggest issue with the current widely available pattern maker’s vise is that pressure side to side can loosen the nut that holds the base on the bench. I’m constantly crawling under my bench to tighten the wing nut back up. The other issue is the obtrusive handle that tends to get bumped while working inadvertently loosening the jaws (others have posted work - around for this but I haven’t done it yet).
I would pay up for a better version. The inexpensive flawed version has already proven its worth.
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I would be in also.
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I second the “nifty” I’m in also.
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There was a company called 'Stew-Mac' that made a version of that vise for working on guitars. They don't list the vise anymore. But here are some photos of it:
(https://i.ibb.co/QFwLTQh/Ultimate-Vise-sm.jpg) (https://ibb.co/SXCbMyH)
(https://i.ibb.co/g9wGS2s/Ultimate-Vise-sm2a.jpg) (https://ibb.co/qj9zNSb)
later, Mike
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A friend of mine back in North Dakota has used that vise for close to 30 years for modern stockwork. It is a fantastic vise and I would certainly be interested in one. Years back I studied it pretty closely with the intent to build one, but never got around to it. I can get you his contact info if you need it.
(https://i.ibb.co/vVTPcSv/Gunstock-Vice-Pictures.jpg) (https://imgbb.com/)
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Count me in - I'd take 2 if available
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I’m in, Ron. Best,
Ed
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These vises have a ball and socket joint the will rotate up/down, side ways and allow the arm on which the vise is mounted to slide in and out to get it closer or farther from the bench. These movements are done by loosening the nut attaching the arm to the base. The tension on the vise jaws doses not change.
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Ron please put me on your list, I would like one. StevenV
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My concern is rigidity given the significant cantilever with the design. I think this is an aspect often overlooked with vise and workbench construction.
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My concern is rigidity given the significant cantilever with the design. I think this is an aspect often overlooked with vise and workbench construction.
Fear not, Jim. That is an issue of how solid and heavy the mounting surface is not the design of the vise which is very robust. Even in a vertical configuration I think Al's vise would have held my weight. I leaned on it hard and could not move it.
Dennis
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It’s not whether it can hold your weight, it’s whether you can work vibration free. The way I built guns by hand, often involved getting after it, especially in the roughing stages. Again just my thoughts based on looking at the design and considering my experience. Take it or leave it…
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It looks mighty nice.
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It looks too efficient and easy to use, I need something to fight with and curse at, so I guess I'm good to go.
Robby
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I need something to fight with and curse at, so I guess I'm good to go.
Robby
Isn't that already called a "wife?"
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Ron, thank you for NOT putting on a stick-out handle for me to impale my head on three or four times a week.
My one complaint about the current stocking or "sculptors" vise. Of course, I guess I could quit storing things under the workbench ...
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Put me in Ron. You can't count how many i have gotten rid and don't like the 1 i am using now.
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Ron, I would like one also. I like heavy iron. I would be up to just purchasing the castings and do my own machine work if that's an option. Thanks, Bob
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I’m in
Thx. Bruce
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Put me in for 3 units.
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I'm interested as well.
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If you are making a list, please add my name. I'd buy one.
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I need something to fight with and curse at, so I guess I'm good to go.
Robby
Isn't that already called a "wife?"
WOW!! :o
Don
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Please place me on the list should this project come to fruition.
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I’d be interested if the price comes in at the target mentioned.
Jeff
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It appears there are about two dozen people on this forum and my seminar groups who have expressed interest.I suspect the professional modern stockers would consume a larger number.
I will convey this to machinist and hopefully the numbers will be enough to get a batch started. He desperately wants one himself and there are certainly no old ones available anywhere.
I'll post when there is an update.
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Please add me to the list as well.
Troy
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I’d like to be on the list.
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I would be interested. I have a patternmakers vise and had the thought of getting the second to hold the work on either end of a long rifle instead of just a block to support it. but this would be better.
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Please add me to the list
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Ron,
I would be interested if the price is not too much when you have a number of them built. Thanks.
elkhorne
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For the curious here is a link to Kimball's patent:
https://www.freepatentsonline.com/4807861.pdf (https://www.freepatentsonline.com/4807861.pdf)
Carl
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Depending on price I will be in as well. Thanks, Mike New
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I'm interested as well.
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I would like to be on the list, please.
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Any news on the Vise ? I have been wondering.
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Don’t wimp out on the mass of the material, especially the clamping mechanisms and the tubes...what else is there lol. That will help eliminate vibration.
Richard
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The R & D is still under way. Joe Huddleston is looking at machining the parts rather than having them cast.
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Thanks for the update Ron
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Interested for the right cost
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If it is not too late, please add me to your list. I would certainly take at least one.
Wolfgang
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I like the fact you can move the work forward and backward
Add my handle
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Curious, is this just a dream, wanna be, hope to be project or are those wanting to develop and produce serious about it. Seems like alotta talk for sometime but no action. Can the owner of the patent be swayed? I'd be interested depending on quality and price.
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(https://i.ibb.co/JdyqQ1R/3-B05-F08-F-4-EDA-45-E4-AA75-9346-EF84-C50-C.jpg) (https://ibb.co/6Z18BMR)
Wilton 301 Powerarm. Its the manual one. They make one that lock by hydraulics. Its only abotu 30 years old in the photo.
Requires some fabrication to mount a vise. This one is over 40 years old. Vise will wear out the powerarm just needs a little cleaning from time to time.
Would not be without one, But they are not cheap. But what is?
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The patent has long run out. Joe Huddleston is actively doing the R&D.
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Hello folks, I’d like to add to this discussion if I may.
This is from Jim Kibler on a previous post,
“It’s not whether it can hold your weight, it’s whether you can work vibration free. The way I built guns by hand, often involved getting after it, especially in the roughing stages. Again just my thoughts based on looking at the design and considering my experience. Take it or leave it…”
We’ve all seen Jim’s perfect vise so here’s my homemade attempt. Works great, very heavy.
1/4 steel plate and tubing sourced locally, shot put from Amazon (free shipping on a heavy item) the rest from a hardware store. I can share more info if interested.
(https://i.ibb.co/cxMVNZ4/28961-AA5-CF82-480-C-A484-3-DC671477-D2-E.jpg) (https://ibb.co/YbYwt1H)
(https://i.ibb.co/wWS8tSc/1-E70-C0-AA-AF0-C-4-A93-99-A4-3-B386862-B657.jpg) (https://ibb.co/T84Jy4W)
(https://i.ibb.co/L0dWsg5/5-D1-C125-A-08-FE-4859-B021-3869-F7412400.jpg) (https://ibb.co/qDYf2g5)
(https://i.ibb.co/ftZRzFW/8-B89-FCC5-C773-4-F76-AC85-D2905-F40681-D.jpg) (https://ibb.co/mtdsVTK)
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That is a really great idea. I have something similar for the height adjustment using square tube. The ball addition would be a great addition. I have the same style vice and I like the fact your swivel is independent of the jaws tightening. Very clever. How did you get the post on the ball? Is it a steel ball that can be welded or is it cast?
Nice job.
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The ball is an 8 pound shot put but I’d use a better ball if I did this again. I drilled it all the way through and put a grade 8 bolt connected to a 17 mm impact socket, which just happened to fit the vise perfectly.
(https://i.ibb.co/GdSQhpQ/47-C0-A28-E-736-B-4-CC4-A7-E4-F74052-D5691-C.jpg) (https://ibb.co/RgwT5bT)
(https://i.ibb.co/p2F8ffK/200-B54-F8-5-AE3-41-C3-BD5-C-CAB421-B91-B79.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Y2sMccd)
(https://i.ibb.co/JFQY1z9/BF27-F529-13-AD-449-C-A2-F6-F762-F7198-D8-E.jpg) (https://ibb.co/zHJ3MSz)
(https://i.ibb.co/wgFs5vN/F0-B793-F3-6-BA8-4-C46-B482-8-F700-A7865-A1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/2h1NGb7)
(https://i.ibb.co/qMx0RBK/E3-EE2127-4-C96-448-C-B559-E40830-FD06-FB.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jvHVLhm)
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Ron, thank you for NOT putting on a stick-out handle for me to impale my head on three or four times a week.
My one complaint about the current stocking or "sculptors" vise. Of course, I guess I could quit storing things under the workbench ...
Man I thought I was the only one with scalp damage and permanent belly indentations from that !*%^$ handle. I love the vise but have been pondering milling a different handle for it.
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Ron, I would be interested in purchasing one as well.
-Steve
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Seeing if there are any updates on the production of the Professional Gun Makers Vise.
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I was at Ron's gun fair and have lots of pictures of said vice. I've collected almost all the material to build one and with no machining yet I've got around 300.00 invested. So with all the work to put one together, you might be talking 800 to 1000.00 for one finished. Just my best guess. Depends on the machine shop to true up the tubes and do some welding etc. (Fwiw)
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Yes I'd like to try to buy such a vise. Since I missed the "original order". Where to send the money?
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Joe Huddleston is still in the R&D phase on this vise project. Myself and a few other associates are seriously interested. I will post an update when one is available.
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I also would be very likely to purchase one of these. I do expect the price to be breathtaking but have struggled with currently available options.
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Ron, I'm pretty late to the posts, but I'm interested if something develops.
Dave
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Any developments, status on this vise project?
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Hey Ron
Better late than never...count me in for one too please!
John
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I would be interested in a Kimball style vise too.
Richard
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I talked to Ron Scott at the CLA show about this project. Unfortunately, it appears to be dead in the water. Maybe Ron will chime in with an update.
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Joe Huddleston who was the person working on this project has come to the conclusion that it is not financially feasible due to cost of molds and fixtures and unknown sales numbers. Joe has indicated he will share the design details with me when he has them finished. If there are further developments I will post.
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Thank you for looking into Ron!
-Steve
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If the price is right—I’d be in for one!
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I have pretty much the same setup here. How about you sell your drawings and a material list. I don't have a vise to copy!
Thanks, Bob
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I just finished the second one. Mine are up sized from the original with a two inch hime joint. I'm not sure 1000.00 will cover it. Just saying. Good luck .
They are a fun project for a real machinist. A real labor of love.