Barrel vise + Action wrench question

[Alpha1]

I have gathered to together the materials to make a barrel vise and action wrench.
There are lots of pictures on the internet but very few actual dimensions. I have never seen either item in the flesh so I'm working blind.
My question is.
I intend to use the barrel vise initially to remove a mauser action from the barrel.
Can any one post a picture with actual dimensions. How big is the hole in the centre of the vise. I have seen 1 3/4" mentioned this seems quite large and I assume this would be fitted with a machined bushing.
What sort of dimensions are the action wrenches.
Has any body built any of these items from scratch. Any input would be appreciated. Its quiet in the machine shop at the moment so I can use the machines to build them.

[ovenpaa]

This is the universal wrench I built and use.

These days I use a 25 Ton ring press to grip barrels however I still have a clamp type and should have the dimensions for it somewhere.

[Alpha1]

Thank you. A drawing of the barrel vise would be great thanks.

[ovenpaa]

I will dig out the drawing however it was a generic thing based on a copy of a copy and never really as good as I had expected hence the move to the press. Just sticking a barrel into a vice, tightening it up and then fitting your action wrench and unscrewing everything is a bit of an ideal and you will need to resort to various tricks to actually get it to work. I have used rosin and lead sheet in the past to grip the barrel and only yesterday I was using 2p pieces as part of the process :)

[The Gun Pimp]

I have gathered to together the materials to make a barrel vise and action wrench.
There are lots of pictures on the internet but very few actual dimensions. I have never seen either item in the flesh so I'm working blind.
My question is.
I intend to use the barrel vise initially to remove a mauser action from the barrel.
Can any one post a picture with actual dimensions. How big is the hole in the centre of the vise. I have seen 1 3/4" mentioned this seems quite large and I assume this would be fitted with a machined bushing.
What sort of dimensions are the action wrenches.
Has any body built any of these items from scratch. Any input would be appreciated. Its quiet in the machine shop at the moment so I can use the machines to build them.

I built my barrel-vice from two pieces of steel bar measuring 2.5 x 3 inches cross-section, clamped together with four half-inch bolts. The top section should be 2 inches shorter - to allow bolts onto the bench. With the two pieces clamped together, bore a 2 inch hole through them. You can then make up split bushings for various barrel diameters from 2 inch aluminium bar. I use a Brownells action-wrench similar to Ovenpaa's.

Factory barrels can be a swine to remove - especially if you don't want to sacrifice the barrel.

[Alpha1]

Were do you get rosin from ?.

[ovenpaa]

Were do you get rosin from ?.

Google 'Powdered pine rosin', loads of places sell it including that well known auction site.

I agree with TGP, factory fitted barrels can be an absolute nightmare and I have had to resort to undercutting the barrel just in front of the receiver on a few occasions. As well as a vice you will need a very robust action wrench, an extension bar (A length of scaffolding works well) and probably a very big hammer to shock the barrel off. I have also had to use 24" stilsons in the past however that is not a problem if the barrel is being scrapped off. A can of Plus-Gas is handy as well.

Equally some factory barrels come off with the minimum of fuss.