Clamping the barrel

[Uncle Alvah]

I need to get just a tiny bit more movement in my breech plug to align the witness marks perfectly. They do not show well in the pic, sorry. I had them in line before so I know the fit is not the problem. The problem is that when I'm trying to get that last little bit on the wrench to align it, the barrel starts to turn,or slip, whichever you prefer . I have it clamped in a 6" vise with a U shaped piece of heavy leather on the barrel and two pieces of wood between the leather and the vise jaws proper.
I'll buy a set of Rice jaws if I have to, but thought it wise to ask advice on alternatives here first.
As always, thanks!

 

[g2608671@verizon.net]

Try taking out the leather as it may be the underlying cause of the movement.  I suggest that you replace the leather with brass sheets or some other soft, yet stable, metal that will not mar the barrel.

[PPatch]

The leather is very likely the problem - if you don't have some copper sheeting to replace it with take a length of copper tubing and hammer it flat. Those Rice barrel holders are the thing, as is the plug wrench.

dave

[smallpatch]

Just remove the leather, and clamp it down, HARD, forward of the breech threads.
You got it off, so you can get it back on.
Good luck.

[Mark Elliott]

I always use lead sheets to hold barrels.   I get them from Brownells and wrap them around the vise jaws.   

[45-110]

"V" blocks in the vice is what i use on octagon barrels. it gives you 4 flats of contact and the barrel does not squirm around. sometimes i put a piece of thick paper on barrel if it is heavily tapered to make up for that.
best
kw

[David Rase]

Brass, copper or aluminum jaws will get the job done.  Leather is too soft and pliable.  You could also check the contact points of the breech plug to barrel fit.  Maybe the interference is too much and need a stroke or two with a file.
David

[n stephenson]

As stated soft metal to grip it. This is an old problem for sure , look at how many originals have marred spots forward of the breech usually on the side flats.

[alyce-james]

Uncle Alvah; Sir, Rice alum. barrel vice set is the best way to go. I have a set and use them all the time. Have a great day. AJ.

[Cory Joe Stewart]

Rice barrels was selling a special set up to go in a vice to clamp barrels.  I think they are made out of aluminum and they work very well.

Cory Joe Stewart

[Uncle Alvah]

Well I guess maybe I give Rice a call in the morning and go with those aluminum blocks they sell, they seem highly recommended.

[heinz]

Be careful of using "gorilla strength" to force a breech plug fit. If you are using excessive torque something is just not fit correctly. You may need to stone a bit off the front of the plug shoulder to allow it to fit better. It could also be the fit of the face of the breech plug to the bottom of the barrel thread but that does not appear to be the case here.
Remember, someday you are going to want to pull that plug.

[hmccaskey]

Another happy customer with the Rice alum. barrel vice set.

[taco650]

I have aluminum plates on the jaws of my vise.  They were made from scraps and don't fit too well but do a good job of keeping the vise from marring steel parts.

[t.caster]

I use brass sheet bent over and wrapped around the jaws so it stays in place all the time.

[Scota4570]

I second the V-blocks.  I also use a real hydrolic press, the old Carver laboratory press.

Get or make steel V-blocks.  Line them with businnes card trype stock.   Failng that make maple blocks that fit the barrel.  Use powdered rosin with the maple blocks.   You can make a vice out of some big slabs of steel.  Draw them together with a couple of 1/2 NF bolts. 

A 6" bench vice is insufficient.

[Uncle Alvah]

Well I called this morning and got Jason on the phone at Rice. Said he had just finished up making a batch of the barrel blocks. A set of them and a breech plug wrench will be shipped out today.

A 6" bench vice is insufficient

That surprises me. It seems pretty robust, but I guess I'll find out soon enough.

[Scota4570]

Your little vice is made of cast iron, or cast steel scrap.  The screw is probably about 5TPI.  The thread and mechanisim put the jaws far away from the screew.  When you put a cheater bar on the handle to make it tight enough, two things happen.  The jaw snaps off, or the part the screw runs in crumbels. 

An old post vice would work better. 

Of course you could fit the plug to require less torque.  You can also put some moly paste on the plug threads and work it n in and out to mate the threads.  That will gain you a little.   I have galled threads in the past.  The moly makes a huge difference.

I luckily stumbled into a Carver model C laboratory press.  IT work great for barrel work.

http://www.ssllc.com/product/220817/carver-model-c-laboratory-press 

[galudwig]

Well I called this morning and got Jason on the phone at Rice. Said he had just finished up making a batch of the barrel blocks. A set of them and a breech plug wrench will be shipped out today.

You're gonna love 'em! 

[gumboman]

Here is a tip from an amateur. That problem faced me a couple of years ago. Could not get the plug to move that final tiny amount no matter what I tried. So I removed the plug and lubricated the threads and the face of the plug and tried again. Replaced the plug and it easily turned into position with just the right amount of force. It was easy. Now I use anti seize grease any time I put a breech plug in. Also makes it easy to remove if I need to before I finish the project.