73hemicuda Posted November 21, 2019 Report Share Posted November 21, 2019 (edited) Has anybody used one of these barrel vises for a thompson? Any idea if they're any good or not? Thanks https://www.ebay.com/itm/BARREL-VISE-W-5-INSERTS-GUNSMITH-FACTORY-SECOND/370228555216?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649 Edited November 22, 2019 by 73hemicuda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sig Posted November 21, 2019 Report Share Posted November 21, 2019 How could that work with the grip mount in place? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyDixon Posted November 22, 2019 Report Share Posted November 22, 2019 no way thats for a thompson barrel, go research doug richardsons web sites and see a photo of g.i. ordnance repair barrelvice fir thompsons, dont try to save a buck with some incorrect tool, just sayn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gio Posted November 22, 2019 Report Share Posted November 22, 2019 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
73hemicuda Posted November 22, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2019 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron_brock Posted November 22, 2019 Report Share Posted November 22, 2019 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
73hemicuda Posted November 26, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2019 Are there any other good quality barrel vises that will work, other than the ones made by Doug Richardson? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mohawk64 Posted November 27, 2019 Report Share Posted November 27, 2019 Someone send me a barrel vise ,. I will make several copies. I can see how needed they are Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rimcrew Posted November 27, 2019 Report Share Posted November 27, 2019 I will buy one, if they are available for sale in the future! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2t2 Posted November 27, 2019 Report Share Posted November 27, 2019 I would take one as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mohawk64 Posted November 27, 2019 Report Share Posted November 27, 2019 I can probably make one if provided pictures. Actually more than one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rimcrew Posted November 27, 2019 Report Share Posted November 27, 2019 Anyone have pics of Dougs barrel tools? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gio Posted November 27, 2019 Report Share Posted November 27, 2019 Mohawk64 I would think that you would need the tool itself as this has to be exact for it to work easily. I would buy one if it was a exact copy of Dougs Frank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimFromFL Posted November 27, 2019 Report Share Posted November 27, 2019 I would be happy to sell mine but someone needs to buy my Thompson first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mohawk64 Posted November 27, 2019 Report Share Posted November 27, 2019 I am working on this project with another board member. I hope to post some positive news very soon. I would appreciate any replies, to test the waters and see how much actual interest there is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rimcrew Posted November 27, 2019 Report Share Posted November 27, 2019 Jim - any chance you would loan it out to be reproduced. I'd be willing to pay you a "royalty" for each tool I buy, to reimburse you for the use. Just a thought... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingray656667 Posted November 28, 2019 Report Share Posted November 28, 2019 Count me in as being interested in a barrel vise if it's reproduced accurately for correct function. stingray656667 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reconbob Posted November 28, 2019 Report Share Posted November 28, 2019 The big question is what will these sell for? Back when Doug was making themI believe they sold for $95. There is no way they could be made and sold at that pricetoday, and Doug was never in it for the money - he did it all for his love of all thingsThompson. The barrel vise consists of a machined steel block with a round recess for thebarrel and a precisely formed bent flat piece with a matching radius to clamp thebarrel. Four hardened steel threaded studs are welded to to the flat piece whichinterlocks with the block to clamp the barrel. Figuring how to hold and weld the studsIs a real challenge. I have thought about making these for a few years now but to make it worthwhile I figure it would have to sell for at least $245 and even then it would not bemuch of a money maker. Hey, if somebody starts making these I'll buy one too! But how much? Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reconbob Posted November 28, 2019 Report Share Posted November 28, 2019 Here are pics.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnshooter Posted November 28, 2019 Report Share Posted November 28, 2019 (edited) 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. Edited November 30, 2019 by mnshooter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgeport28A1 Posted November 28, 2019 Report Share Posted November 28, 2019 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? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weasel Posted November 28, 2019 Report Share Posted November 28, 2019 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 aimpact gun to tighten. I have removed quite a few bbl's from the rec. stub and takes some force to remove. One stub took5 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnshooter Posted November 28, 2019 Report Share Posted November 28, 2019 (edited) I wonder who I know that might has access to a EDM to reproduce the new and improved wrench?Me too... Edited November 28, 2019 by mnshooter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mohawk64 Posted November 28, 2019 Report Share Posted November 28, 2019 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. BackgroundI 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnshooter Posted November 28, 2019 Report Share Posted November 28, 2019 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 aimpact gun to tighten. I have removed quite a few bbl's from the rec. stub and takes some force to remove. One stub took5 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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