If you have ever worked on your own guns, you know at some point or another you will need to use a vise. You also know that putting that beautifully engraved and blued receiver into those serrated hardened steel jaws will all but destroy it. Now you could buy a vise specifically designed for gunsmiths but even then you aren't going to be immune from marring the finish. First, if you want to buy a gunsmith's vise, go for it, you can get one from Brownell's and they would do a great job. However, if you are like I am and think that the vise you have should do the job, then what do you do? This is easy. Go to your local supply house that sells roofing supplies and get yourself a roll of lead flashing. it also helps if you have a pair of aircraft snips. Unroll a section and lay it in front of the face of one of the jaws until it is totally covered and then bend the unrolled section over the top to form an "L". trim to fit and repeat so you have two layers. Do the same for the other jaw. Now, since lead is so soft it will get imprinted by the jaws and hold tight. Now, remember, all you want to do is use just enough pressure to hold the receiver, no more. Don't crank it down so tight that you could swing on the barrel like a trapeze artist. light pressure only. The softness of the lead will be enough to grip the steel.

if you ever see photos of places like Purdey gunmakers, they just use a large jawed vise covered in layers of lead flashing. Just remember, light pressure.

Another insightful post sir...thank you raven !!

You are quite welcome, shooter. Glad I can help people work on their prized guns. you don't need alot of fancy tools to do alot of things.

so...layers...not just one layer?

i use the big ole vise i have. however i have 1/8"" thick rubber glued to an aluminum L on each jaw and that seems to do the trick as well....if i need more padding i also have 1/4" rubber with the same set up...

I use two layers. That flashing isn't terribly thick and it helps prevent a jaw from breaking through accidently.

Great post, and great idea.