doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DIY Gunsmithing @ doublegunshop.com Checkering Cradle Head and Tail Stock

Dustin-- I took your advice and am almost done upgrading the cradle.

I decided the tripod head was a little too unstable, but I couldn't justify the price of a wilton powrarm. I found the panavise 400 from Adorama for $40. I also bought the fixturing head for another $25. It's not the smoothest ball head, but the working weight is 70# (at 45degrees) which is more than double the powrarm jr working weight and a fraction of the cost. All in all, I think it's great especially for the price.

To attach the cradle, I attached a piece of oak to the fixturing head, using threaded inserts and screws. This goes between the rails of the cradle and (at least for now), thumb screws and washers tighten or loosen the joint to allow the cradle to slide. I haven't totally decided how to attach the cradle to the bench, but for now I have a board attached to the bench by a single bolt so that it can swing side to side as needed.

Thanks for the input and insight. I think this will prove to be useful improvement. and I'm sure I'll find other used for the panavise as well