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Home made barrel vise!

VoxPatriam

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 26, 2014
198
2
Some crappy desert
Yet another random metal project. I built this for a friend. We will be using aluminum V blocks to use it as a barrel vise/shop press. I've seen plenty online, but I figured I'd try my hand. It took me about 6 hours and $100 (I had the bottle jack lying around). Specs: Every plate/guide is 1/4" steel, the large bolts are 5/8" grade 5 with grade 8 nuts. The bottle jack is a 12 ton. Probably overkill, but as I said, it was lying around and is easily replaced. The spring return function works quite well and it has about 9" of travel. The bolts stick out on the bottom so it can bolt down to the work bench. I was enjoying some Stone Smoked Porter the whole time so that's probably why it took so long, but it's awesome beer! Anyhow, here's the pictures.
Fully assembled (because I like my desert first).
IMG_20140922_215905_490_zpsr0l5rjb9.jpg

IMG_20140922_215858_641_zpsflfwidf7.jpg

Fully extended.
IMG_20140922_220755_740_zps7nnqctjl.jpg

Test fitting/function testing.
IMG_20140922_202351_730_zpsk2ghk4f5.jpg

Top bracing to prevent warp under pressure.
IMG_20140922_215914_242_zpsokn2nzzk.jpg

Home made extendable jack handle compressed.
IMG_20140922_221026_275_zpspjcyv56o.jpg

Extended.
IMG_20140922_221058_757_zpstgeaxnul.jpg


I'm sure it isn't the prettiest thing ever and it's still short a coat of paint to protect against rust, but it does work. What do y'all think?
 
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