tools for a beginer gun smith ???

[fox fire]

I,m lookin to buy me a few tools so I can do some of my own work,trigger jobs and some polishing,just simple stuff.    With this being stated,what basic tools do I need start lookin for?         I figured screw driver set, brass punches and a few stones.         Also any perticular brand or type of tools or stones that some of ya'll have used.

[Nobade]

For a good list of tools, check out the gunsmithing school in Trinidad, CO. They publish a list of what you need to start taking classes there. I'd also suspect Brownells would know what that list includes as well.

Of course the first thing to aquire are good books on the subject!

[madcratebuilder]

A complete set of Jerry Kuhnhausen books would be very nice.

A good selection of hollow ground screw drivers.  I like using a magnetic driver with tips, midway has an excellent selection.  A good selection of stones.  Check these two links.

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INPDFF?PMPAGE=284&PMCTLG=00
http://www.midwayusa.com/Search/#baker%20stones____-_1-2-4_8-16-32

Good quality files, both regular and jeweler sets.  A non marring hammer, I have several, a raw hide, rubber, hard nylon and brass.
A set of calipers, I like the dro style.  A granite block for lapping parts on a perfectly flat surface, a sheet of glass well do.
There are a lot of special tools you may want that are for specific guns.

Next step would be chamber reamers and forcing cone tools.  A lathe and mill.

Depends on what you want to work on, revolvers or rifles.  And what type of work you want to do.

[Davemuzz]

Always remember, when your a self-employed gunsmith, when you go to hunting camp....your "working". (It's called marketing). When your at the range trying to dial in a scope that you've mounted, it will take 3 times as long. (It's called marketing).

No, I'm not a gunsmith. But I was a self-employed CPA. I could never make it through a social outing without "marketing". Social outings became as much a part of work as going to the office.

It just is what it is.

Dave

[gunnut69]

Nobade put the first thing last but was entirely correct. While all the rplies are great the most important tool to any gunsmith is his(her) library. Buy and read books. Start with those you think will help with projects you are contemplating are might wish to contemplate. Knowledge is the most important tool of all. If working on mausers or 1911's is in the list Kuhnhausen books covering those subjects are great. For the 1911 theer are several books but I reccomend 'Pistolsmithing' by George Nonte. For stock work I really like 'Checkering and Carving Gunstocks' by Monte Kenneday. The old standbys such as the books from the NRA (which I believe you should be a member of) contain a tremendous amount of knowledge. On the general level the books written by the Brownells folks and called 'Gunsmith Kinks' are nearly indespensable/ Ther're up to 4 books now and I always eagerly await the next. They contain the little tricks we all have developed over the years to make the job easier/quicker/better.. There are many many more but you get the drift. I've been doing this for many years and still find and buy such things avidly, even as I begin to slow down and retire.. Best expressed to me many years ago by an old smith who probably at least aided and abetted this adiction of mine "beware a gunsmith without a full book case..or two!".. And of course you are most welcome to the brotherhood. Of course the folks here such as Nobade and others are a fantastics resource and a cast store of 'been there and sone that' and always ready to share. Good luck and welcome to the sight.

[fox fire]

Thanx for the info and encouragement ya'll, whats got me into this notion is that I've been debating on going to school for a little while now and really dont know what direction to start,   been trying to figure out what I would enjoy gettin up and goin to work at, madical came to mind because the jobs are all over and the money is good but I really dont have an interest in it,     thought about machinist school at the local votech because I like workin with my hands and makin things.   
                Then the light came on!   machinist school and gun smithing mite be a good move since ther aint a good smith within 60 miles iether direction, I figured start out with hunting rifles and shot guns because thats whats popular in this neck of the woods,   Thers a growing number of competion shooters around also, had thoughts on attending some of them in order to picksome brains and get a feel for what they may need/want, then move on from ther.        Ya'll are a big help and a resorce of info tahnx again, I'm sure I'll have more questions to ask later.                         FOX FIRE.