Leather for workbench vise jaws?

Muzzleloader enthusiast's,
I've got a Kibler out for delivery today and I've been watching a bunch of YT videos in preparation for my first build. In some of the videos the builders use a piece of leather to protect the stock from metal jaws of the vise. Any idea where I can purchase a piece of leather like that? Does Jo Ann Fabrics or like a Hobby Lobby sell something like that? Or any other store for that matter as I have basically every big box store you can think of within a few minute drive from my house.
Thanks,
Undertow

Cut up an old belt, the thicker the better...

Tandy Leather is my first choice. They have a online website store and walk-in stores all over the US too. There are also several other online stores that sell leather too. But although it is more expensive you can find some leather at HobbyLobby stores too.

Tandy sells a 12 inch square piece that might just be what you are looking for too. But they have tons of leather good though.

https://tandyleather.com/?gclid=Cjw...8C022ioMzVKWZCYRTD4qZtfRYObu41iRoCem8QAvD_BwE

Look around your area and see if there are any saddle shops or leather shops. For no more than you need they would probably give you some scraps. Lots of scraps get thrown away, we throw away better than 50 pounds per month. This is a pile of 10/12 ounce bridle leather which I donate to local scout troops for a tax write off.

The vice jaws can also be guarded with wood, I use 1/4” plywood but adding a leather face to that is better. A few pieces of 2x4 cut to random length then nailed together form a stair case to rest the other end of your rifle on.

I cut pieces of 1-1/2" by 1/8" thick aluminum angle stock to fit my vise jaws and put on pieces of 8-10 oz vegetable tanned leather scraps as pads:





Cut the leather slightly oversize and attach it with contact cement. Once you have the leather stuck on, squeeze them in your vise with the leather surfaces facing each other to really optimize the bond. Once the contact cement has had time to cure, take them out of the vise and trim the edges flush with a razor knife (box-cutter). These work well for me.

As for sourcing the leather, you've gotten good advice above. One caveat is that if you order scrap leather online, don't order it from Tandy! Scrap is exactly what you'll get! Crazy Crow, on the other hand, puts usable pieces in their scrap bundles.

If you just want a couple of pieces like mine, give me your address by private message and I'll mail you enough for a pair of vise jaws. It doesn't take much.

Best regards,

Notchy Bob

My 4” flea market, $20 vice with soft pine and heat gun molded plexiglass and vinyl siding jaws. Works fine.

Any old scrap leather will work. Check out resale shops. Boots, jackets and furniture often have good leather for repurposing. I just glue a scrap onto the vise with rubber cement which can be easily removed. No need to spend big money.

simonbeans said:

My 4” flea market, $20 vice with soft pine and heat gun molded plexiglass and vinyl siding jaws. Works fine.
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What is the purpose of the plastic?

Undertow said:

Muzzleloader enthusiast's,
I've got a Kibler out for delivery today and I've been watching a bunch of YT videos in preparation for my first build. In some of the videos the builders use a piece of leather to protect the stock from metal jaws of the vise. Any idea where I can purchase a piece of leather like that? Does Jo Ann Fabrics or like a Hobby Lobby sell something like that? Or any other store for that matter as I have basically every big box store you can think of within a few minute drive from my house.
Thanks,
Undertow

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Yeah, Tandy Leather has thick pieces but probably not a store nearby, Michael's Craft stores carries some Tandy, you want a piece with some thickness to it, Hobby Lobby is a great store one opened real near me recently. The have some leather stuff. Good luck!

Bessey vise jaws. Useful for many tasks, including holding stocks, barrels...

Undertow said:

Muzzleloader enthusiast's,
I've got a Kibler out for delivery today and I've been watching a bunch of YT videos in preparation for my first build. In some of the videos the builders use a piece of leather to protect the stock from metal jaws of the vise. Any idea where I can purchase a piece of leather like that? Does Jo Ann Fabrics or like a Hobby Lobby sell something like that? Or any other store for that matter as I have basically every big box store you can think of within a few minute drive from my house.
Thanks,
Undertow

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I made wood blocks then covered them in leather. But a dear friend/gunsmith used nothing but a large piece of Saddle leather, and he worked on several Bespoke British guns.

Hobby lobby used to sell a plastic bag of scraps, it usually had a couple pieces of heavy saddle leather.

Dutch7 said:

What is the purpose of the plastic?

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The plastic, heat molded by a heat gun, holds the soft pine wood on the vice. The pine pieces can be popped on and off easily.
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Undertow said:

Muzzleloader enthusiast's,
I've got a Kibler out for delivery today and I've been watching a bunch of YT videos in preparation for my first build. In some of the videos the builders use a piece of leather to protect the stock from metal jaws of the vise. Any idea where I can purchase a piece of leather like that? Does Jo Ann Fabrics or like a Hobby Lobby sell something like that? Or any other store for that matter as I have basically every big box store you can think of within a few minute drive from my house.
Thanks,
Undertow

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Good old Amazon right to your door.
Larry

I bought an old thick belt at a thrift shop to line mine. Leftover can be punched with hole for caps.

Small pieces of carpet can be used. Glue the carpet to pieces of wood as wide or wider than your vice jaws. Extend the carpet over the top of the jaws to help protect the wood from damage. Plenty of options here. Your choice.

Notchy Bob's way is the most elegant solution. My gunsmith uses the same thing, even to hold metal parts he doesn't want to booger up. I bought 10oz leather for mine on ebay. Look there for veg tanned leather or tooling leather.

If you use wood, use soft wood. I use poplar. A soft wood will crush and suffer damage before your gunstock wood.

These worked well for me. Although I like all the homemade ideas
https://www.micromark.com/Gentle-Jaws-Leather-Lined-Set-of-2

Try some 3/4-inch felt. works great.

Undertow said:

Muzzleloader enthusiast's,
I've got a Kibler out for delivery today and I've been watching a bunch of YT videos in preparation for my first build. In some of the videos the builders use a piece of leather to protect the stock from metal jaws of the vise. Any idea where I can purchase a piece of leather like that? Does Jo Ann Fabrics or like a Hobby Lobby sell something like that? Or any other store for that matter as I have basically every big box store you can think of within a few minute drive from my house.
Thanks,
Undertow

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Old boots, belts. Glue it to 1/2 or 3/4 inch plywood. Even with thick leather, jaw face serrations can print thru to your work.