Tools for basic gunsmithing?

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danbrew

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The right tool for the right job, right? I've got lots of big honken' tools for this or that, but this or that generally means a motorcycle or a truck and the tools are sized for big honken' stuff. My "gunsmithing tools" are typically pretty crappy smaller sized tools that I picked up at Home Depot or Ace Hardware or someplace like that and they're generally not really hardened tools, or they have a crappy finish that flakes off.

I suppose if I weren't a lazy sob I could probably search the net and find "a gunsmith toolset", but really what I'm looking for is a quality set of screwdrivers, maybe a hammer with a plastic and brass end, and some punches. Thought it likely that somebody would be able to say "oh yeah, I picked up a really nifty set from xyz for $x".

Thoughts?

:D
 
look at Brownell's or Midway for a set of proper screwdrivers, punches and brass/plastic hammer..........there are also vises, etc. listed depending on how far you're willing to go
 
Brownell's is your best friend when it comes to gunsmithing tools. I like them because they usually have several options in different price ranges for both the novice and the full-time smith. Punches, roll pin punches, brass and nylon mallet, screwdriver set, and tweezers should cover the basics.

A sturdy workbench and vice aren't absolutely indispensible, but will make your life so much easier even for cleaning.
 
+1 for a proper set of screwdrivers.

To expand a little on that thought, I would get the set that has the 1/4" hex bits and a couple of different length handles.

Then, with a 1/4" hex adapter for your existing 1/4" socket set, you have a ratchet drive, extension bars, and possibly a good torque wrench that measures torque in inch-lbs. (And, if you don't have the torque wrench, you needed that for your auto tools anyway...)

For the vise, don't forget a set of magnetic jaw pads, so you can hold something firmly while working on it without leaving a waffle pattern in it. :)
 
And with a lot of today's guns, besides screws, they're using Torx fasteners, so you'll need some of them....then there's the files, checkering tools, jigs of all sorts for various repairs/construction..........There are probably more specialized tools for gun making than total tools in a Lowe's store........:what:
 
Large nylon cutting board

I found a large used white plastic cutting board to use for a work area. Has been great, white color makes it easy to find small parts. Its none marring.
An assortment of good abrasive sandpaper rolls, fabric backed 220-600 grit is great for polishing and deburring. Can use it backed up with a file, spun on a mandral in a drill. One of my favorite tools is a 1/4" inside diameter hard rubber hose with steel rod inside it. Its excellent for a backing when hand polishing or sanding radius.
Don't forget some file handles for assorted files and other tools.
Get carbide cutters for your rotary dremal like tool. Eye protection.
Shop lights, lots of them.
 
Can anyone recommend a set of small files and minimum set of stones one would need to get started?
 
If you are just taking things apart and smoothing things up all you need are some stones, screwdrivers, and punches.

A gunsmith has to have a milling machine. A hobbyist can get by without one.
 
What two-faced hammer then?

I noticed some are plastic, nylon, brass, cowhide even... What is the most useful combo?
 
Harbor Freight
after you buy a good set of screwdriver with assorted bits from Brownell's or Midway.
 
What two-faced hammer then?

I noticed some are plastic, nylon, brass, cowhide even... What is the most useful combo?
Click to expand...

I've noticed that in most of the gunsmithing videos I've seen the smith usually uses a small (almost toy like) ball peen hammer. I'd suggest polishing the face of the hammer with 600+ grit sand paper. 90% of the time it's used for popping out roll pins and solid pins.

You can buy a decent soft/hard rubber two faced mallet at home depot.

Also, see if you can find some scrap pieces of solid brass or some brass drifts for installing sights.
 
I bought a set of Wheeler punches that came with that little hammer - mine has three faces - a plastic/nylon one, brass one, and a metal one - all have different uses
 
The very best investment you can make in "tools" is to buy a good set of referrence/assembly/disassembly manuals. All the tools in the world won't help if you don't know what to do with them(and what NOT to do).
 
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I'll come in from a different direction.

The guys are right, you need to know what you are doing and most importantly why, so pleanty of reading first.

What are the ugliest effects of home tinkering that you have seen?

Buggered screws are probably number one, you can either buy expensive screw drivers or get lots of OK interchangeable tips and file them to fit. With lots of older guns, you'll have to file to fit, and to de burr, so you might aswell go the interchangeable route.

You're only half way there with bits that fit, you need to have the gun held securely, and put the weight of your upper body onto a tight screw so the bit won't jump out and do damage, you also need some idea of when a screw is too tight, and when to stop, and leave it with penetrating oil on for a few hours to a few weeks.

For punching pins out, I use selected MILD STEEL nails with the point filed off, they are soft enough not to scratch most gun steel and if they start to bend, they get binned.

Think of all the guns around with the chequer pattern from vice jaws?
a bit of padding from a fresh cut piece of soft wood or some cloth padding for wood, or a few layers of aluminium drinks can for steel works wonders.

You won't see the guns that were crushed by tightening the vice too tight, they're dead and gone.

Have a good look around at the butchery on old guns and learn from that.

Oh, and a personal pet hate, I think that most amateur "gunsmithing" texts are nothing better than instructions on how to turn a good gun into worthless scrap with the aid of household diy tools. I also think that the dremmel is the most dangerous of those tools.
 
rogertc1 said:
Harbor Freight
after you buy a good set of screwdriver with assorted bits from Brownell's or Midway.
Click to expand...
At the very least go to Sears and get Craftsman tools.

As far as screwdrivers, I use a set from WFMC (Wadsworth Falls Mfg. Co). The #4 52 piece set isn't cheap. Amazon has them for around $75.00. I haven't used this brand, but some people have had good luck with a similar set from Chapman Tools also available on Amazon. They have two sets that are supposedly for guns. The 8900 set sells for $33.55 and the 9600 set sells for $29.40.

http://www.amazon.com/Chapman-8900-...ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1248005321&sr=8-1

When you bring up the page with the Chapman sets, you will (probably) see some other tools under "Frequently Bought Together" from a company called Senter. They make a hammer with interchangeable heads - brass, copper, rubber, nylon and ABS. They also have a 17-Piece brass & carbon steel pin punch set that looks decent.

I work on machinery for a living and IMHO, the best tools come from Germany. I have spent a lot of money at this place: http://chadstoolbox.com/

Scott
 
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