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Barrel Vise


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I bought a Thompson barrel vise from e bay after Doug had sold out. The receiver part was fine but had to work on the barrel removal tool for it to work. I wish someone would make one like Dougs That one on e bay now I dont think will work on a Thompson

 

 

Frank

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Ok, thanks. I figured it probably wouldn't work. I Wasn't sure if it would work if the grip mount was removed. I've been looking for a while for a used doug richardson one but cant find one.

The barrel has to come off first before the grip mount will come out due to a tab on the mount behind the barrel shoulder, unless the grip mount has been modified.

 

Ron

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The big question is what will these sell for? Back when Doug was making them

I believe they sold for $95. There is no way they could be made and sold at that price

today, and Doug was never in it for the money - he did it all for his love of all things

Thompson.

The barrel vise consists of a machined steel block with a round recess for the

barrel and a precisely formed bent flat piece with a matching radius to clamp the

barrel. Four hardened steel threaded studs are welded to to the flat piece which

interlocks with the block to clamp the barrel. Figuring how to hold and weld the studs

Is a real challenge.

I have thought about making these for a few years now but to make it worth

while I figure it would have to sell for at least $245 and even then it would not be

much of a money maker.

Hey, if somebody starts making these I'll buy one too! But how much?

 

Bob

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Excellent Photos. Thanks for posting, Bob.

 

For those who aren't familiar with these, that is Doug's "Universal Barrel Wrench"; It can be used without removing the comp or ring sight.

Anyone contemplating making this wrench would benefit from redesigning the bolted piece into a solid unit, with holes for four replaceable bolts, rather than the welded bolt stubs Doug chose to use. These bolts are the weak point in the design, and have been known (In two instances I am aware of) to break a weld.

 

 

Dougs "Heavy Duty Barrel Wrench" is a totally different, much stronger and nearly indestructible one piece design that wraps around the barrel, but requires removal of the comp or ring sight. It wraps around approximately 2-1/2 inches of the barrel.

Maybe someone who owns one can post photos and the exact measurements.

I don't know how Doug manufactured his, but it would be a relatively easy job for a wire EDM. Not saying it would be inexpensive.

The handle is not furnished. The 1" hole in the left end has a setscrew to retain a handle of the user's chosen length.

 

With full credit and acknowledgement to Doug,

here is his drawing of his Heavy Duty Barrel Wrench, as shown in his Thompson Submachine Gun Workshop Manual.

DRHDBblVise.PNG

Edited by mnshooter
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Excellent Photos. Thanks for posting, Bob.

 

For those who aren't familiar with these, that is Doug's "Universal Barrel Wrench"; It can be used without removing the comp or ring sight.

Anyone contemplating making this wrench would benefit from redesigning the bolted piece into a solid unit, with holes for four replaceable bolts, rather than the welded bolt stubs Doug chose to use. These bolts are the weak point in the design, and have been known (In two instances I am aware of) to break a weld.

 

 

Dougs "Heavy Duty Barrel Wrench" is a totally different, much stronger and nearly indestructible one piece design that wraps around the barrel,

but requires removal of the comp or ring sight.

Maybe someone who owns one can post photos.

I don't know how Doug manufactured his, but it would be a relatively easy job for a wire EDM.

 

I wonder who I know that might has access to a EDM to reproduce the new and improved wrench?

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I have one of D.R.'s bbl wrench that he made to remove the stub off the parts kits. It has a full wrap around piece and it clears the sight and slides under the forearm mount. I believe the LARGE nut to tighten around the bbl is 1 1/2" and use a

impact gun to tighten. I have removed quite a few bbl's from the rec. stub and takes some force to remove. One stub took

5 hits with a 4lb. hammer with a 16" crescent wrench on the stub (striking the wrench handle).t

 

If pictures are needed I can post

 

Weasel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Guys. I'm totally serious about producing this barrel vise. And yes. I have 2. EDM machines. I feel that I may be able to make a commitment in the next week.

 

Background

I have a BS in mechanical engineering. I have worked in tool and die since 1985 and have owned my own business since 1998. We machine more complex pieces every day of that 21 years.

 

I should have a formal answer in a few days.

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I have one of D.R.'s bbl wrench that he made to remove the stub off the parts kits. It has a full wrap around piece and it clears the sight and slides under the forearm mount. I believe the LARGE nut to tighten around the bbl is 1 1/2" and use a

impact gun to tighten. I have removed quite a few bbl's from the rec. stub and takes some force to remove. One stub took

5 hits with a 4lb. hammer with a 16" crescent wrench on the stub (striking the wrench handle).t

 

If pictures are needed I can post

 

Weasel

 

 

 

A photo would be very helpful, to avoid confusion.

The above description is what Doug calls a Barrel Vise.

According to Doug, it was primarily designed to be clamped, bolted, or otherwise fastened to the workbench.

Although it also can be used freehand to remove barrels, it is completely different from his two previously described barrel wrenches.

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