Time to buy a mainspring vise

[trentOH]

I want to get my first mainspring/frizzen spring vise. What characteristics should I be watching for? Or are there features to be avoided? Do you have a suggestion for a source for one? Thanks folks!

[coutios]

   Off the shelf production..... Chambers IMO.......... Dave

[Larry Luck]

I don't know if our own Acer Saccarum has any left, but his vise is top notch.

http://thosmachine.wordpress.com/

Larry Luck

[Frank]

Used one of these for 30+ years with zero problems: Still my only mainspring vice.

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/1038/1/TOOL-VISE

[Hawken62_flint]

Mountain State Manufacturing sold thru Cain's Outdoors makes a ton of them.  I have used one for over 20 years with no problems.  www.cainsoutdoor.com or call them to order 304-375-7842.

[wet willy]

ToTW sells a nice one: http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/1038/1/TOOL-VISE-DX

As you might expect, its the most expensive but in my opinion it is the most useable. I like mine since the body is more robust than some others, the jaws are deeply checkered for good grip on the spring, the single point holder (opposite the screw-operated jaw) rotates to accommodate the mainspring, and the screw wings are large, for ease of turning for tensioning the spring prior to removal.

This seems like a clear case of "you-get-what-you pay for."

[coutios]

 " Looks" to be the same one Chambers sells...........

Dave

[Virginiarifleman]

Larry Callahan makes a nice dependable main spring vice. www.Bagmolds.com

[Don Getz]

Lots of main spring vises, should be able to buy almost anywhere.  But, how many of you have a frizzen spring "cramp"?  I
bought several from Dave Motto years ago.  No moving parts.  It is made from 1/4" round stock, bent in such a manner that
it slips over the spring, and the lower leg is about 4" long.   You merely slip it over the spring, put a little upward pressure on
the lower leg which will take the tension off the screw, then merelh remove the screw.  It is so simple it will make you mad at
yourself for not thinking of it.......Don

[Jim Chambers]

Tom and I are in the process of making mainspring vices that will work very well on our big English mainsprings.  They should work on others as well.  I will be selling these as soon as Tom gets them in production.  If you can wait just a little while these should be the best ones on the market.  If you need one immediately the ones we currently sell (or the nice ones Track sells) will work ok.

[Woodbutcher]

 Mr. Getz, a picture of such a tool would be greatly appreciated. Who knows, someone might even try to make one. I may butcher wood, but I have been known to bend a piece of metal. Woodbutcher

[WadePatton]

Mr. Getz, a picture of such a tool would be greatly appreciated. Who knows, someone might even try to make one. I may butcher wood, but I have been known to bend a piece of metal. Woodbutcher

Yeah, don't make us figger it out on our lonesomes.  

I do have a small stash of 1/4" 1018 round stock and might make a dozen to share.

[John Archer]

http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=7164.0

Scroll down...great pics of the cramp.

John

[Woodbutcher]

 Thank you, Don and Trent, It looks like even I could do that. Woodbutcher