gunsmithing tools

[abrink]

Well as a newbie to gunsmithing (definatly not shooting though!) i can say i dont have any tools for gunsmithing. I have lots of regular tools but none for gunsmithing. What are the basic tools needed for this trade and what is the best value i can get? I don't want something that's a bad cheap brand but i dont want to spend top dollar either. Thanks as allways

 

[dfariswheel]

What tools to buy largely depends on what type of gunsmithing you want to do.

First step is to get a print catalog from Brownell's and Midway.
These are THE places to buy tools:

http://www.brownells.com/
(Money refunded with the first order)

http://www.midwayusa.com/

First tools to buy:
A set of real gunsmith's screwdrivers. The best are the Brownell's Magna-tip.
Break a bit, and they send you a free replacement.
Buy the biggest set you can afford, and buy all the available sizes in the first 4 or 5 sizes.

A GOOD bench light.

A Opti-Visor magnifier visor in your choice of focal length.

A small ball-peen hammer.

A brass hammer.

A plastic hammer.

A GOOD set of needle files.

A good set of punches.

A set of "starter" punches. You can make these by simply cutting standard punches off to about a 1/2" working length.

A set of roll pin punches.

A good small adjustable vise.

Ceramic stones in square, triangular, and knife edge.

Buy other tools as you need them.

If you have specific guns you want to work on, buy the Jerry Kuhnhausen gunsmiths shop manuals. These are the best gunsmithing books ever printed.

 

[rcmodel]

+1 to everything dfariswheel said.

The gunsmith screwdrivers are the first thing you absolutely must have.
If you can't afford the Maga-tip Brownell's, Chapman makes the best inexpensive set available.
http://www.chapmanmfg.com/

And I would add to the list at least one high quality, stainless steel, one-piece 33" .22 caliber cleaning rod.
http://secure.armorholdings.com/kleen-bore/onepiecekits.html

Every gun you come in contact with for repair work will require one, or the other, or both.

rcmodel

 

[Jim K]

Sounds good for some tinkering. Now how about a lathe, good quality drill press, milling machine, bench grinder, etc., etc. And learning how to use them. And going to a gunsmithing school. And learning to run a business.

I know, fooling around with screwdrivers and punches and replacing parts is a lot of fun, but it is not gunsmithing.

Jim

 

[GreenFurniture]

Most of the tools you will use the most are tools which no shop carries and you will have to make or adapt for a specific task.

Other run of the mill items which might not fit in the "tools" category, but will be much needed/used would be:

Hockey puck (2, 1 left "original" and 1 cut in half for sanding and such)
.308 brass with neck pinched flat
Brass rod (2, 1 slim and 1 thick)
Scotch Brite pads
Hemostats for gripping very small and slippery items
Syringes for applying oils and solvents in hard to reach areas
Masking tape
....and on and on and on

 

[fixyurgun]

Get two small ball peen hammers. Cut the handle off of one. Use this one first for any tapping jobs. Less can be better when whompin on guns. Jim

 

[krs]

Jerry Kuhnhausen's books.

Massive amounts of patience.

 

[TOGGLELOCK]

Screwdrivers, good ones from Brownells. You don't want to mess up screws. Then a plastic hammer which works on anything from a 1911 (driving the M/S Housing Pin) to a Sideplate on a S&W Revolver. Cup Tip Punches, Roll Pin Punches and a good set of plain old Punches. Get a few Sight Installation tools for Glock/XD/SIG/H&K. You'll always use those. TOGGLELOCK