Gunsmithing tool sets?

[oneinchhard]

I am looking for a recommendation on a good general tool set that would allow me to do 80% of the jobs on the most common firearms (1911, AR15, Glocks, USP, SIG, etc). I am not talking about gun specific specialized tools, but a tool box full of stuff that would carry me for most teardowns, reassembly and function check.

I have looked at kits like http://tinyurl.com/dg2nf and http://tinyurl.com/ackbg , but these seem heinously overpriced. I may be wrong, but I think with careful tool purchases I could do a lot better. Also, I would love for some recommendations on a good book to read about gunsmithing.

TIA

PS: I posted this on another forum. Would love to hear from you too

 

[Powderman]

Take a look at Brownell's; they sell a couple of prearranged tool sets that might be to your liking.

IMHO, for a good basic kit, you'll need the following:

HAND TOOLS:

One set of good needle files (Swiss pattern)
One medium sized set of Swiss pattern files
Mill files (bastard cut) in round, half round, and flat configurations;
File card
Chalk (for the files)
One good set of stones, 6x1/2x1/2 (one India stone, hard arkansas or ceramic stones)
One good set, drift punches
One good set, pin punches
Bench block
Non-marking brass punches
Rawhide mallet/hammer
Plastic and rubber faced hammer
8 oz. ball pein hammer
One good set, hollow-ground screwdrivers (recommend Brownell's magna-tip sets)
Two sets allen wrenches, metric and SAE
Nut drivers, metric and SAE
Socket set, 1/4 drive, standard and metric

BENCH TOOLS:

Vise. Don't scrimp--get a good one, adjustable in as many ways as you can get.

Pads for the vise jaws
Bench grinder, with medium and fine stones
Drill press (bench model OK)
3/8 inch, VSR drill
One good bench light, flexible, with magnifier
Machinist's rule
Dial or electric caliper
Snap caps for every caliber you own
A really good cleaning kit
Light and heavy oils, penetrating oil and Lubriplate grease
Shop rags
Visor for eye protection
Apron
Rubber gloves

If you want, a Dremel or Foredom tool can do wonders--but be careful! The use of either one can be a great aid and time saver--or it can get you into hot water REAL fast. More guns have been ruined by Dremel and Foredom tools used improperly than almost any other source.

MOST IMPORTANTLY:

A GOOD set of reference books and publications.

I recommend highly the excellent Shop Manual series by Kuhnhausen; worth their weight in gold.

Also, you'll want the NRA book of exploded gun drawings.

Finally, for a good home study reference, take a look into the AGI Gunsmithing videotapes; also, the reference material offered by the School of Modern Gun Repair out of Phoenix, AZ. It's a home study course, and will assist you tremendously. Also, keep good notes of your experiences and findings when doing maintenance in a binder for easy reference.

Good luck, and I hope that you become as obsessed with repairing, cleaning and maintaining guns as I am.