Movable vise pads for bending breech plug tang

[davec2]

I was getting ready to bend a barrel breech plug tang and was tired of doing it the same way I have always done it with a lead hammer and on a lead block.  It works but is not a very controllable process in the greater scheme of things.  So I stopped long enough to make these magnetically attached brass bending "bars" (for want of a better description). Brass 7/16" round stock is silver brazed to a brass arm made of 1/2" x 1/8" flat stock.  A strong magnet is then screwed to the other end of the arm.  These can be positioned easily on the vise and allow complete control of how much and where the bend occurs.  Much better than whacking things with a lead hammer.

[Eric Kettenburg]

Depending on the strength of those mags - are they neo? - aren't you going to end up with a magnetized vice?  Which translates as a "hairy" vice.  Drives me nuts.

Otherwise cool idea, although I just bend it in between the vice jaws with some folded up paper or thin lead sheet as lining (leather has too much give for my tastes)

[davec2]

Eric,

The magnets are neo.....have not had a problem with magnetizing the vise in this case.  On other large things I have used a hand wound insulated copper coil hooked to my welder (on AC) to demag things.  On smaller items I most often just use duct tape to pick up any annoying magnetic particles.

[DGB]

Had to stop and make three of these, they work great.
DGB

[bluenoser]

Thanks for posting.  I particularly like the use of magnets to hold them in place.  Here is a less sophisticated version I have been using for quite some time.  The steel ones are used on the bench vise and the brass one is used to secure odd shaped projects in the milling vise.  Masking tape is used to keep them in place, but can be challenging due to oil, etc.  Need to think about how I might be able to incorporate some magnets.

Always enjoy following your threads.  So much to learn.