Gunsmithing Can I use my shop press for a barrel vise?

[Ranger Bob]

Getting ready to do my first barrel swap on a brand new Tikka. I'd like to keep the factory barrel in pristine condition so I can offer it up in the exchange. I have a big shop full of equipment (but no barrel vise) and I was thinking that I could pair a couple aluminum blocks in the mill and then bore down between them so I have a radius in each. I've got some rubber or leather I could line them with and then squeeze the setup in my shop press to hold the barrel. Seems reasonable to me; anyone else done this?

Bob

 

[JBoomhauer]

Not sure what kind of press you have but it should work fine as long as you have decent control over the pressure.

 

[longshooter]

Yes, of course.

 

[loveha]

Youuu.... don't have a vice? I mean, every shop has a vice, doesn't it? I would be fucking terrified of using a press.

 

[Ranger Bob]

Youuu.... don't have a vice? I mean, every shop has a vice, doesn't it? I would be fucking terrified of using a press.

Oh...I have vices!

 

[Easy_E]

I see on rifleshooter.com he uses a shop press seems like it would work well .

 

[Ranger Bob]

I see on rifleshooter.com he uses a shop press seems like it would work well .

Well, there you go! Pretty much what I was thinking.

Bob

 

[longshooter]

Easy peasy.

 

[FisherT&C]

tikka factory barrels are no joke they are on their tight as hell. I would use rosin on the jaws, leather or rubber will most likely slip. I use a Wilcox action wrench on a tikka and you will most likely need a cheater pipe on the wrench handle.

 

[Ranger Bob]

tikka factory barrels are no joke they are on their tight as hell. I would use rosin on the jaws, leather or rubber will most likely slip. I use a Wilcox action wrench on a tikka and you will most likely need a cheater pipe on the wrench handle.

Are they torqued on tight or is it a thread locker that makes them so tight?

Bob

 

[MarinePMI]

Torque

 

[northern50]

Torque

By the biggest dude in Finland!!

I too use a hydraulic press, v blocks and a phone book. Not one tikka or sako trg that I’ve had to cut apart to remove the barrel.