Suggestions for basic gunsmithing tool kit, please - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

**DanTheEldest** · 01-26-2008, 03:59 PM

I'm looking to move from my current designation of "Enthusiast" into a new world of "Enthusiast + occasional tinkerer/'smith", and I'm looking for a good list of the must-have tools to pick up for fooling around with weaponry in an amateur kind of way. I don't need anything exotic, just the real necessites for doing minor maintenance, repairs, and easy mods on handguns and rifles, mostly ComBloc- and eastern European-design. Appreciate the good input, as usual.

Krackels · 01-26-2008, 05:21 PM

A good set of screwdrivers is a must for almost any gunsmithing needs.

A good set of punches and a sturdy vise is almost a necessity. Depending on what you want to do will depend on what you need.

If you're building AKs your needs will be different than if you occasionally tear down surplus rifles to clean and maintain them.

**DanTheEldest** · 01-26-2008, 05:51 PM

What's the skinny on brass implements as opposed to steel?

**AZXD** · 01-26-2008, 06:08 PM

Brass is softer than the steel pin you might drive out, so less chance of damaging the pin, or whatever might need some persuasion.

I wish I could offer something really good like get this kit and you'll be set for life, but no can do. I do know that some things can be improvised quit well, while others are a get what you pay for thing.

+1 to Krackels on the screwdrivers.
Buy the best screwdrivers you can get.

**einheit 13** · 01-26-2008, 06:09 PM

only thing I can add is get some good solvents, oils, and a decent gun vise....

Krackels · 01-26-2008, 07:18 PM

I actually prefer steel punches. My friend had a set of brass punches and I bent one beyond repair trying to drive out his trigger pin on his XD, but it's probably good to have both on hand.

A good set of steel punches will last you for life, but brass punches will inevitably have to be replaced at some point.

This should be a good screwdriver kit. There are betters, but this one has a lot of function without taking up a lot of space. http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/sto...EWDRIVER%20SET

Krackels · 06-02-2008, 12:25 PM

If you're still looking... Midway has a 17 piece punch kit on sale (currently backordered) but it's a good deal.
MidwayUSA - Smith & Wesson Gunsmith's Master Punch Set 17-Piece Brass and Steel

bat1159man · 06-02-2008, 01:10 PM

All good suggestions - I would add a good set of "Vice Grips" locking pliers, metal and wood files (both round and flat) and a Dremel Tool with file, sanding and polishing attachments.

blefferd · 06-02-2008, 03:15 PM

dont forget a good cutting torch

i would defently go with brass AND STEEL punches, ive been/broken a few brass punches.
Dremil with ALL the assc.
screw driver set
mini file set
scribes/hooks/dental tools
nice vice with brass jaws, or something that wont mar wood or metal.
acid brushes, brass wire brushes
good hammer
that should get you around about any modification/deep clean you need to do.

drill press....
shop press...

*non tools you should keep around differnt sizes of roll pins!!! and some good cleaner's and lubricants

SgtWKPII · 06-02-2008, 03:21 PM

My gunsmithing kit includes,

Money, The more the merrier
Gunsmith, (1ea)

01-26-2008, 03:59 PM	#1
DanTheEldest XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,499	Suggestions for basic gunsmithing tool kit, please I'm looking to move from my current designation of "Enthusiast" into a new world of "Enthusiast + occasional tinkerer/'smith", and I'm looking for a good list of the must-have tools to pick up for fooling around with weaponry in an amateur kind of way. I don't need anything exotic, just the real necessites for doing minor maintenance, repairs, and easy mods on handguns and rifles, mostly ComBloc- and eastern European-design. Appreciate the good input, as usual. __________________ The only things more disturbing than the base ideologies of the new President are the lengths to which his supporters and apologists will go to try to convince themselves and the rest of us that he's not exactly who he says he is. The American abortion industry: helping rid the tired, huddled masses of their inconveniences and mistakes for four decades now. (But it's okay--the unborn aren't actually humans. What they are, we're not sure--but they're definitely not people.)

01-26-2008, 05:21 PM	#2
Krackels XDTalk 15K Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Southeastern PA Posts: 19,562 Blog Entries: 5	A good set of screwdrivers is a must for almost any gunsmithing needs. A good set of punches and a sturdy vise is almost a necessity. Depending on what you want to do will depend on what you need. If you're building AKs your needs will be different than if you occasionally tear down surplus rifles to clean and maintain them. __________________ "Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." --Benjamin Franklin PA Roll Call

01-26-2008, 05:51 PM	#3
DanTheEldest XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,499	What's the skinny on brass implements as opposed to steel? __________________ The only things more disturbing than the base ideologies of the new President are the lengths to which his supporters and apologists will go to try to convince themselves and the rest of us that he's not exactly who he says he is. The American abortion industry: helping rid the tired, huddled masses of their inconveniences and mistakes for four decades now. (But it's okay--the unborn aren't actually humans. What they are, we're not sure--but they're definitely not people.)

01-26-2008, 06:08 PM	#4
AZXD XDTalk 15K Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Valley of the GUN Posts: 16,637	Brass is softer than the steel pin you might drive out, so less chance of damaging the pin, or whatever might need some persuasion. I wish I could offer something really good like get this kit and you'll be set for life, but no can do. I do know that some things can be improvised quit well, while others are a get what you pay for thing. +1 to Krackels on the screwdrivers. Buy the best screwdrivers you can get. __________________ . . Prepare for the worst scenario and hope for the best!!! Ignorance is curable, but stupidity is fatal. When one is prepared, it gives them peace of mind and eliminates the panic button which often leads to unnecessary waste and tragedy. The so-called "reasonable gun control" measures will take us all to the day when the last single-shot shotgun that grandpa owned is cut into pieces.

01-26-2008, 06:09 PM	#5
einheit 13 XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Virginia, C.S.A. Posts: 5,845	only thing I can add is get some good solvents, oils, and a decent gun vise.... __________________ Once is happenstance, twice is coincidence, the third time is enemy action “It is the lack of will power, and not the lack of arms which render us incapable of offering any serious resistance.”

01-26-2008, 07:18 PM	#6
Krackels XDTalk 15K Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Southeastern PA Posts: 19,562 Blog Entries: 5	I actually prefer steel punches. My friend had a set of brass punches and I bent one beyond repair trying to drive out his trigger pin on his XD, but it's probably good to have both on hand. A good set of steel punches will last you for life, but brass punches will inevitably have to be replaced at some point. This should be a good screwdriver kit. There are betters, but this one has a lot of function without taking up a lot of space. http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/sto...EWDRIVER%20SET __________________ "Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." --Benjamin Franklin PA Roll Call Last edited by Krackels; 01-26-2008 at 07:59 PM.

06-02-2008, 12:25 PM	#7
Krackels XDTalk 15K Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Southeastern PA Posts: 19,562 Blog Entries: 5	If you're still looking... Midway has a 17 piece punch kit on sale (currently backordered) but it's a good deal. MidwayUSA - Smith & Wesson Gunsmith's Master Punch Set 17-Piece Brass and Steel __________________ "Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." --Benjamin Franklin PA Roll Call

06-02-2008, 01:10 PM	#8
bat1159man XDTalk 4K Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chicago, Illinois Posts: 4,418 Blog Entries: 2	All good suggestions - I would add a good set of "Vice Grips" locking pliers, metal and wood files (both round and flat) and a Dremel Tool with file, sanding and polishing attachments. __________________ "On Iwo Island, Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue" - Admiral Nimitz, March 16, 1945 on Marines fighting on Iwo Jima Every Marine is, first and foremost, a rifleman. All other conditions are secondary. Gen. A. M. Gray, USMC Commandant of the Marine Corps http://www.nationalgunforum.com

06-02-2008, 03:15 PM	#9
blefferd XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: FLORIDA Posts: 1,554	dont forget a good cutting torch i would defently go with brass AND STEEL punches, ive been/broken a few brass punches. Dremil with ALL the assc. screw driver set mini file set scribes/hooks/dental tools nice vice with brass jaws, or something that wont mar wood or metal. acid brushes, brass wire brushes good hammer that should get you around about any modification/deep clean you need to do. drill press.... shop press... *non tools you should keep around differnt sizes of roll pins!!! and some good cleaner's and lubricants __________________ ____________________________ NEF 20 Guage Parder Model (single shot) S&W 642 .38

06-02-2008, 03:21 PM	#10
SgtWKPII XDTalk 15K Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Camano Island, Warshington Posts: 19,860 Blog Entries: 19	My gunsmithing kit includes, Money, The more the merrier Gunsmith, (1ea) __________________ The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. ~Thomas Jefferson

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