Vise Recommendation

[120RIR]

I'm tired of chasing around the stock of the rifle I'm restoring (John Parks) and clearly, it's time for a proper vise.  What do you builders use?

[stan57]

I bought the Shop Fox parrot vise after watching Jim Kibler using one in his videos. I've been pleased with it.

Link to vise: https://www.grizzly.com/products/shop-fox-parrot-vise/d3125

[Sidelock]

Do a search for "patternmaker's vise".  This vise is handy for holding add shapes as both jaws swivel and they will not mare up wood finishes.  There are several brands of these offered on the web.
 

[Frank]

https://www.woodcraft.com/products/woodriver-patternmakers-or-gunstock-carving-vise

[Brian Jordan]

This is a popular vise with many builders, as already mentioned. It has worked well for me.

[Beaverman]

I have 2 parrot vises, 1 on a modified mount with pipe nipple to pivot up and down and left and right, the other on a Brian Jordan gimble mount that works very well, think engravers vise as a mount!

[120RIR]

Thanks gentlemen! I think that pattern maker's vise will work best for me.  I see there are many companies out there offering the exact same model all for about the same price. 

[Beaverman]

Thanks gentlemen! I think that pattern maker's vise will work best for me.  I see there are many companies out there offering the exact same model all for about the same price.

yeah their all made in China in the same foundry with different color paint, unless you can find a 100 yr old USA made one and then bend over!

[smallpatch]

The pattern makers vise is the best production vise available.
Pivoting jaws are very necessary for holding odd shapes, that a solid jaw vise can’t duplicate.
Try holding a buttstock in a fixed jaw vise.

[BOB HILL]

Woodcraft puts there vice on sale about once a year at a pretty good savings. You may want to call and ask if they plan to any time soon.
 Bob

[Beaverman]

The pattern makers vise is the best production vise available.
Pivoting jaws are very necessary for holding odd shapes, that a solid jaw vise can’t duplicate.
Try holding a buttstock in a fixed jaw vise.

These cure that problem, depends on your budget which vise you can afford, I've used these for 15 years and they work great!

https://www.amazon.com/Shop-Fox-D3126-Tilting-Parrot/dp/B0000DD4ZV/ref=asc_df_B0000DD4ZV?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80333120301350&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583932699570929&psc=1

[J Shingler]

I use a Versa Vice which is like the Parot vices shown. The VV is no longer sold. But recently added this ball mount and it is fantastic. It was advertised in Muzzleloader mag 6 or 8 months ago. At that time they were in stock and I got it in 4 or 5 days.  I believe the maker was at the CLA show as well. Picture is from his web site. Great product. Just a happy customer.

https://tssteelworks.com/

[Beaverman]

I use a Versa Vice which is like the Parot vices shown. The VV is no longer sold. But recently added this ball mount and it is fantastic. It was advertised in Muzzleloader mag 6 or 8 months ago. At that time they were in stock and I got it in 4 or 5 days.  I believe the maker was at the CLA show as well. Picture is from his web site. Great product. Just a happy customer.

https://tssteelworks.com/

Thats basically the mount I was referring to in the earlier post, works great for small work and working horns at my sit down bench

[J Shingler]

Beaverman, I also use those tilt jaw inserts you mentioned. Great set up.
I have mine mounted on an adjustable 4" Steel tube so I can raise and lower the vice height for standing or setting.

[taterbug]

if you get a version of the pattern-makers vise, make sure to always, always, ALWAYS have padding of some sort under the rubber padded jaws.  If you accidentally bump the handle, the vise can open just enough to let your stock drop against the bars below.  Makes you grumpy for a couple days. 

There have been a couple threads here about modifications for that issue. 

[Albert D]

My Pattern Makers vise was just delivered today. I got it from Woodcraft for $185. It's very well made and pretty heavy. I'll get it set up tomorrow and make some leather pads for the jaws. I have a Versavise with those aluminum jaw inserts for odd shapes. It works well but it won't grab the butt of the rifle as securely as I would like. It's slipped out several times.
 

[J Shingler]

Here is my set up that has worked well. I just added the ball pivot and wish I had it years ago. Also as it is out in front of the workbench it allows more access to your work. Mine with the tube in a tube with locking jamb bolts allows for height adjustment.

[44-henry]

Here is one of my Versa Vises mounted on a Wilton Power Arm.

[Scota4570]

I once had something like the versa vice, from Midway I think.  IT broke after a while.  Now I use what is pictured below, not that is all that, It is just what I have and made.