Tools and Supplies
- Thread starter bratch
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swampgator
Member
Real gunsmith screwdrivers! Like the ones sold by Brownells. Actually if you look in a Brownells catalog they used to list armorers kits, with specific tools needed for certain types of firearms. Look at whats included in those tool kits to give you an idea based on the types of guns you'll be tinkering with or working on.
But real screwdrivers are a good starting point.
But real screwdrivers are a good starting point.
dfariswheel
Member
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2002
- Messages
- 6,656
Just off the top of my head:
Brownell's Magna-Tip screwdrivers.
The Master kit is the best and will take care of about 98% of the screws.
Extra size bits are cheap.
Best of all, if you break a bit, Brownell's will replace it if you email them.
A good set of standard pin punches.
A set of "starter" punches.
The starter punches are simply punches with a short length that makes driving out tight pins easier. The shorter punches are stiffer, and don't bend or flex.
A set of roll pin punches.
If needed, a set of dome-head punches for driving out round head pins.
An Opti-visor magnifier in your choice of focal length.
A good adjustable bench light.
A bench pad.
I used rubber "Poundo" pads sold by Tandy that are used for punching holes in leather.
These are black and 1/4" thick.
Watchmaker's tweezers.
Small, high quality watchmaker's smooth jaw pliers.
Small hammers in steel, brass, and plastic.
Parts containers.
These can be any small plastic container, like Tuperware.
Jerry Kuhnhausen shop manuals that may be available for the guns you intend to work on.
Specific tools for the guns you intend to work on. IE S&W revolver rebound spring tool, S&W ejector rod vise, Colt revolver bushing tool, Remington 700 bolt tool, etc.
A GOOD small adjustable vise. One that has the most amount of different positions so you can position a part properly to work on it.
The small "Versa-Vises" are OK for very light work, but you'll need a good watchmakers vise for anything that really needs to be held.
As big a shop vise as you can afford for holding larger items.
Brass and synthetic material to make vise jaw pads.
As many different files as you can afford. Buy gunsmith and machinist types instead of hardware store types.
A set of good needle files.
File handles for all files.
Several ceramic stones.
Square, and triangular are best, and ceramic since they don't wear and change shape like synthetic or Arkansas.
I hesitate to say it, but a Dremel or Flex-shaft, and a selection of rubber-bonded abrasive tips, and sanding drums.
Small drill bits.
A drill press.
One of the cheap Sears table top models will do.
Brownell's Magna-Tip screwdrivers.
The Master kit is the best and will take care of about 98% of the screws.
Extra size bits are cheap.
Best of all, if you break a bit, Brownell's will replace it if you email them.
A good set of standard pin punches.
A set of "starter" punches.
The starter punches are simply punches with a short length that makes driving out tight pins easier. The shorter punches are stiffer, and don't bend or flex.
A set of roll pin punches.
If needed, a set of dome-head punches for driving out round head pins.
An Opti-visor magnifier in your choice of focal length.
A good adjustable bench light.
A bench pad.
I used rubber "Poundo" pads sold by Tandy that are used for punching holes in leather.
These are black and 1/4" thick.
Watchmaker's tweezers.
Small, high quality watchmaker's smooth jaw pliers.
Small hammers in steel, brass, and plastic.
Parts containers.
These can be any small plastic container, like Tuperware.
Jerry Kuhnhausen shop manuals that may be available for the guns you intend to work on.
Specific tools for the guns you intend to work on. IE S&W revolver rebound spring tool, S&W ejector rod vise, Colt revolver bushing tool, Remington 700 bolt tool, etc.
A GOOD small adjustable vise. One that has the most amount of different positions so you can position a part properly to work on it.
The small "Versa-Vises" are OK for very light work, but you'll need a good watchmakers vise for anything that really needs to be held.
As big a shop vise as you can afford for holding larger items.
Brass and synthetic material to make vise jaw pads.
As many different files as you can afford. Buy gunsmith and machinist types instead of hardware store types.
A set of good needle files.
File handles for all files.
Several ceramic stones.
Square, and triangular are best, and ceramic since they don't wear and change shape like synthetic or Arkansas.
I hesitate to say it, but a Dremel or Flex-shaft, and a selection of rubber-bonded abrasive tips, and sanding drums.
Small drill bits.
A drill press.
One of the cheap Sears table top models will do.
sm
member
dfariswheel,
Sir, "you done good".
May I respectfully submit a flashlight, dust pan, wisk broom and -
Find a cylindrical magnet with a hole in the center. [Mr. dfariswheel is grinning, he knows where I am going]
This cylindrical magnet, with the hole only needs to be about 1 1/2" to 2" long and about 1" in diameter. Then insert a heavy cord through the hole of magnet.
When you drop/ flip a screw, or other smaller part, and can't find it:
1. Carefully look while heading for light switch to turn lighting down or off and use flashlight to "sweep" floor. Sometimes this will "pick up and see" the part.
2. Roll that magnet on the floor, and it is amazing what that magnet will pick up and find. Expecially great for getting under, around and behind areas hard to access.
Steve
Sir, "you done good".
May I respectfully submit a flashlight, dust pan, wisk broom and -
Find a cylindrical magnet with a hole in the center. [Mr. dfariswheel is grinning, he knows where I am going]
This cylindrical magnet, with the hole only needs to be about 1 1/2" to 2" long and about 1" in diameter. Then insert a heavy cord through the hole of magnet.
When you drop/ flip a screw, or other smaller part, and can't find it:
1. Carefully look while heading for light switch to turn lighting down or off and use flashlight to "sweep" floor. Sometimes this will "pick up and see" the part.
2. Roll that magnet on the floor, and it is amazing what that magnet will pick up and find. Expecially great for getting under, around and behind areas hard to access.
Steve
Zeke Menuar
Member
A comfortable chair.
I spend a lot of time reading about what projects I am doing or going to do.
ZM
I spend a lot of time reading about what projects I am doing or going to do.
ZM
swampgator
Member
Well, even with the magnet, there still is a missing spring somewhere in the carpet of my spare bedroom!
dfariswheel gave you a good list. Just be prepared to open the wallet. A lot!
My tip for tools and supplies:
If you don't already have your C&R, get it. It will cost you $30 for three years and should take less than three weeks to arrive.
Mail a copy to Brownells. They will mail you, free of charge, their catalog, along with a sheet that tells you how to use your dealer discount.
Order your tools and supplies. The discount savings on your first order will be enough to pay for your C&R and probably at least your first renewal as well.
If you don't already have your C&R, get it. It will cost you $30 for three years and should take less than three weeks to arrive.
Mail a copy to Brownells. They will mail you, free of charge, their catalog, along with a sheet that tells you how to use your dealer discount.
Order your tools and supplies. The discount savings on your first order will be enough to pay for your C&R and probably at least your first renewal as well.
dfariswheel
Member
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2002
- Messages
- 6,656
SM and swampgator :
Don't even THINK about talking to me about finding small parts, there's NOTHING you can tell me I don't know.
I addition to gunsmithing, I'm also a retired Master watchmaker.
There's nothing anyone can tell me about crawling around on dirty floors looking for sub-micro miniature parts.
One of my all time favorites was looking for a tiny, irreplaceable flat spring from an antique watch that snapped out of the tweezers and went flying.
After about 3 hours of looking, I found it........ Stuck on the INSIDE of my neck tie.
Don't even THINK about talking to me about finding small parts, there's NOTHING you can tell me I don't know.
I addition to gunsmithing, I'm also a retired Master watchmaker.
There's nothing anyone can tell me about crawling around on dirty floors looking for sub-micro miniature parts.
One of my all time favorites was looking for a tiny, irreplaceable flat spring from an antique watch that snapped out of the tweezers and went flying.
After about 3 hours of looking, I found it........ Stuck on the INSIDE of my neck tie.
sm
member
Mr. D -
I knew you would get a kick out of that! I understand small dias are not much easier to find either...
Do take care my friend...
--
Optivisors are great! Also handy, even if you have young eyes, or perhaps do not really need a Optivisor
1. Safety glasses - to protect eyes from parts going boooiiiiinnnnggg, and chemicals.
2. Inexpensive Reading glasses, sometimes one needs just a little help, and these are too handy. If nothing to read the fine print in some manuals.
--More tools: Nitrile gloves , dispoable pippettes, small funnels, Long Q-tips, dental picks, pipe cleaners ...
I knew you would get a kick out of that! I understand small dias are not much easier to find either...
Do take care my friend...
--
Optivisors are great! Also handy, even if you have young eyes, or perhaps do not really need a Optivisor
1. Safety glasses - to protect eyes from parts going boooiiiiinnnnggg, and chemicals.
2. Inexpensive Reading glasses, sometimes one needs just a little help, and these are too handy. If nothing to read the fine print in some manuals.
--More tools: Nitrile gloves , dispoable pippettes, small funnels, Long Q-tips, dental picks, pipe cleaners ...
swampgator
Member
I spent the better part of an eight hour shift crawling around my office looking for the mag catch spring out or a Beretta. So yeah, my magnet would have been real handy that night.
One caveat about Brownells, and they will tell you this: You won't get a discount on professional tools. You will on items that could resold, such as parts, but not on all gunsmithing tools.
Clark
Member
I buy cheap guns at the gun show.
I like Mausers, and I can spot salvagable parts on a wrecked project.
Custom mounting of sights, scope mounts and rings seems to be the small screw ups.
Modifcations to the stock or barrel often ruin that major part.
John@JCDLESales
Member
Hockey Pucks Lots Of Hockey Pucks
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