Mainspring vise?

[JB2]

Who recommends which one, and why? 

Thanks
Jim

[Dave B]

there are several on the market. I bought my first from TOW years ago and it has a swivel at the main bar and a slotted long cross piece. I misplaced it and bought a second mainspring vice with out the swivel and slotted bar. The both work very well on mainsprings and given the extra cost of the first at about 20.00 the second one was 12.00 I wouldn't pay the extra for the first again. I found my first in an old pair of coveralls pocket before donating the coveralls to the goodwill. I was glad I checked the pockets before tossing them in the box.  The swivel and slotted vice does make it possible to more precisely position the points of contact to maximum advantage for spring removal. I can more easily use this one on the feather spring wear as the other is not so versatile.

[Ed Wenger]

Check with Acer (Tom Curran) here on the site.  He makes a really nice vice that accommodates all size locks.


              Ed

[Hawken62_flint]

Mountain State Manufacturing (MSM) makes a nice one.  It is sold thru Cain's Outdoors, on the web at www.cainsoutdoor.com or by calling 1-800-445-1776.  I have used one of theirs on all brands of locks and it works well.

[Swampwalker]

I have one of each - swiveling and non-swiveling.  I tend to grab the non-swiveling type the most often, as it's easier to use one-handed, and works great on most locks.

[DutchGramps]

This is my original combined mainspring/frizzen spring tool for the Dutch M1815 muskets

[Acer Saccharum]

Here is a link to the vise I make. Unfortunately, I don't have any more at the moment.

http://thosmachine.wordpress.com/2010/04/01/spring-compressor-for-large-flintlocks/

[TPH]

This is my original combined mainspring/frizzen spring tool for the Dutch M1815 muskets

Very nice Gramps!

Personally I use one for the USM1855 Rifle Musket. Very effective and a nice little "US" stamped on it. $5.00 30 years ago, they sell for more now...... A LOT more.