Making Wood barrel vice blocks

[hammer67]

I need to get front sight off sub2000. I need to hold barrel in vice. I was going to try to make blocks from wood. So the barrel is about 9/16" diameter. Plan is to drill 9/16" hole in block of wood, then cut wood through the hole. The 3/16" thickness of the blade will mean that 2 sides will now fit around barrel with a small gap between them. I taped barrel up and may get rosin. The question is which way to cut the wood? So in picture below with grain running left to right, would I cut the block horizontally or vertically? Trying to think about loading didn't help. A wall is built with the load parallel to to direction of grain, but a beam has load perpendicular. I tried looking this up but the explanations were not very clear, hence providing a picture so we can all reference it knowing which way grain is running.

 

[outrider58]

If the hole is to be drilled in the center of that block of wood, I would go horizontally(left to right).

The wood would probably split if you went the other way.

The only reason walls are built with vertical grain is because that's how wood grows. Has nothing to do with strength.

 

[hammer67]

Thx. Horizontally was my thought as well.

You mean there aren't a lot of 92 ⅝" diameter trees to make studs from .

Hell, it's a small block of wood. If it breaks, just try the other way. I overthink things too much, lol.

 

[John from MD]

I need to get front sight off sub2000. I need to hold barrel in vice. I was going to try to make blocks from wood. So the barrel is about 9/16" diameter. Plan is to drill 9/16" hole in block of wood, then cut wood through the hole. The 3/16" thickness of the blade will mean that 2 sides will now fit around barrel with a small gap between them. I taped barrel up and may get rosin. The question is which way to cut the wood? So in picture below with grain running left to right, would I cut the block horizontally or vertically? Trying to think about loading didn't help. A wall is built with the load parallel to to direction of grain, but a beam has load perpendicular. I tried looking this up but the explanations were not very clear, hence providing a picture so we can all reference it knowing which way grain is running.

View attachment 468026

Whichever way you go, make sure you line the groove with double face carpet tape for a good hold.

 

[engineerbrian]

Strips of leather also work well for additional grip.

 

[mpollan1]

Me? As the block sits in the photo, I wood drill down from the top on the 2x face and then cut as Outrider wrote.

 

[slsc98]

Voice of recent experience (with a M&P 15-22): Drill the Hole a tad (appreciably?) SMALLER than the barrel OD …

All my SUB2k’s once I used enough heat no “torquing” , let alone a vice, was needed. Of course they were Gen 1 2000’s

 

[outrider58]

Voice of recent experience (with a M&P 15-22): Drill the Hole a tad (appreciably?) SMALLER than the barrel OD …

All my SUB2k’s once I used enough heat no “torquing” , let alone a vice, was needed. Of course they were Gen 1 2000’s

He's relying on the "kerf" to shrink the hole.

 

[tomcatfan]

Depending on how much torque you need, pine might be too soft. Hardwoods deform less and can grip the barrel better. Some recommended carpet or leather, but rosin powder works too.

 

[smdub]

I've had better luck w/ hardwoods plus driling the hole slightly smaller.

 

[E.Shell]

Depending on how much torque you need, pine might be too soft. Hardwoods deform less and can grip the barrel better. Some recommended carpet or leather, but rosin powder works too.

I've had better luck w/ hardwoods plus driling the hole slightly smaller.

The blocks supplied with my Brownell's barrel vise years ago were white oak. I'd have to dig it out and look to be sure, but I believe they were cross-cut. Wood has greater compression strength at the end grain.

 

[outrider58]

The blocks supplied with my Brownell's barrel vise years ago were white oak. I'd have to dig it out and look to be sure, but I believe they were cross-cut. Wood has greater compression strength at the end grain.

I considered wood type in my recommendation as well as kerf width. Did I over think it? Possibly.

Really, the OP can try either way. It's only a piece of pine(or fir).