I made my own cleaning vise/cradle

Doyle · January 17, 2008, 08:02 PM

I couldn't find a storebought one that I liked (except the very expensive Tipton) so I made my own. The pics are from my cell phone so they aren't great.

The vise part is made out of a woodworker's clamp. One side is "partially fixed". You can do some limited pivoting by loosening a wingbolt. The other side of the clamp is total freefloating. The jaws are padded with an old (thick style) mouse pad.

The tailstock is adjustable for lenght and height. The length will adjust all the way down to about 4 inches from the vise (for holding pistols) or all the way out to about 35" (for holding fishing rods ?). It adjusts up and down to accomodate any level I need and it can be flipped to expose a different size concave hole. Both holes are padded with new-style (thin) mousepads. The small hole fits a shotgun sized barrel. The larger hole is big enough to handle a SxS shotgun forearm.

I used 3/4" plywood that I had laying in the garage. The only things I had to buy were the clamp (4.99 at Harbor Freight) all the bolts and nuts (maybe a couple of bucks) and a tube of adhesive to glue the pads on with.

I need to borrow a couple of larger sized hole saws to put in some holes for holding cleaning chemical bottles and spray cans. I've already drilled some holes to hold cleaning rod attachments.

As you can see, I've already started putting it to use on my latest restoration project - a Savage 340C in .22 hornet.

Martyn4802 · January 18, 2008, 06:06 AM

Good Job!!!!

razorbuc · January 23, 2008, 10:44 PM

Good job Doyle...I have a Tipton,but you made me ashamed of myself for not building one myself.....looks good,with good ideas.I may use a couple of your ideas and build a wooden one.

DonR101395 · January 23, 2008, 10:58 PM

You did a great job. I hope you don't mind if I copy it for myself.

whitefish · January 23, 2008, 11:08 PM

That looks awesome

!

Damn - and I just bought a cheap MTM cradle.

Hello123 · January 24, 2008, 12:28 AM

You obviously have some talent and skill, be proud. Very good job.

January 17, 2008, 08:02 PM	#1
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	I made my own cleaning vise/cradle I couldn't find a storebought one that I liked (except the very expensive Tipton) so I made my own. The pics are from my cell phone so they aren't great. The vise part is made out of a woodworker's clamp. One side is "partially fixed". You can do some limited pivoting by loosening a wingbolt. The other side of the clamp is total freefloating. The jaws are padded with an old (thick style) mouse pad. The tailstock is adjustable for lenght and height. The length will adjust all the way down to about 4 inches from the vise (for holding pistols) or all the way out to about 35" (for holding fishing rods ?). It adjusts up and down to accomodate any level I need and it can be flipped to expose a different size concave hole. Both holes are padded with new-style (thin) mousepads. The small hole fits a shotgun sized barrel. The larger hole is big enough to handle a SxS shotgun forearm. I used 3/4" plywood that I had laying in the garage. The only things I had to buy were the clamp (4.99 at Harbor Freight) all the bolts and nuts (maybe a couple of bucks) and a tube of adhesive to glue the pads on with. I need to borrow a couple of larger sized hole saws to put in some holes for holding cleaning chemical bottles and spray cans. I've already drilled some holes to hold cleaning rod attachments. As you can see, I've already started putting it to use on my latest restoration project - a Savage 340C in .22 hornet.

January 18, 2008, 06:06 AM	#2
Martyn4802 Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2007 Location: Grayling, Michigan Posts: 737	Good Job!!!! __________________ US Army Retired NRA Benefactor Life Member JPFO

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January 23, 2008, 10:44 PM	#3
razorbuc Member Join Date: March 9, 2005 Location: florida Posts: 32	Good job Doyle...I have a Tipton,but you made me ashamed of myself for not building one myself.....looks good,with good ideas.I may use a couple of your ideas and build a wooden one.

January 23, 2008, 10:58 PM	#4
DonR101395 Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 2005 Location: NWFL Posts: 3,031	You did a great job. I hope you don't mind if I copy it for myself.

January 23, 2008, 11:08 PM	#5
whitefish Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 100	That looks awesome ! Damn - and I just bought a cheap MTM cradle.

January 24, 2008, 12:28 AM	#6
Hello123 Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2005 Posts: 571	You obviously have some talent and skill, be proud. Very good job.