At Home Gunsmith Tools for beginners. What tools will get you started

[@kygunrunner]

As a gunsmith of 13 years I would recomend some must have tools if your going to work on guns. First hollow ground driver bits. Gun screws are not like orher screws and you really need the correct bits to keep from damaging the screws. Also pick up a brass hammer, if you slip it wont knock the bluing off.also pick up a few brass punches and nylon punches. Aslo pick up a pair of soft jaw pliers. Compressing flat springs can mark them with the teeth cut into pliers and cause then to break under pressure at those marks.. just my little bit of advise.

[@workthetrigger]

Some good additions in that. Thanks

[@basebilljr07]

Wheeler torque wrench screwdriver is a must have in my opinion

[@workthetrigger]

it's definitely on my short list of tools to get.

[@orion8981]

A magic wand that finds your lifter springs would be an amazing start.

[@DWeezy62]

A file card to clean your files is an excellent addition. I have a 4 inch vice and I mounted it to a piece of plywood that I can clamp to my bench with a couple of large c-clamps. That way I leave all of my bench space available and just get the vise out when I need it.

[@ronaldjohnson1474]

OR, just get a short length of 1/2" copper tubing & smash one end for the file cleaning end. You won't live long enough to ever need to replace it.

[@mikemorton6219]

You didn't mention the assembly pad with the little dividers you use. I like to use ice cube trays to hold the little parts. If you put parts in row as you disassemble, it helps reassembly, particularly if apart for long time.

[@TylerSnyder305]

For standard and roll pin punches I'd go Mayhew, Vaughan for hammers, and Eklind or Bondhus for for hex keys. It pays to go American when you can, better tools are worth it, and the Mayhew punches aren't exactly dirt cheap but the Eklind hex keys and Vaughan hammers are very affordable.

[@gmans7859]

Thank You for the recommendations. Really like what I see! My OCD for 'Made In USA' is in overdrive lately....

[@hardybirch3630]

It is reinforcing to see that others have also contracted 'the right tool syndrome disease'. The Harbor Freight ratcheting T handle is now added to my list for their next coupon......great idea. Your video was pretty darn thorough and a lot of fun to watch. I would add a bench mounted drill press to your list.

[@workthetrigger]

Yeah, if you get into stuff more serious than replacing parts, a drill press is definitely a useful item. I dont use it often, but when i do, there's not another tool that can do what it does effectively.

[@atomiklam]

For AR15 uppers, HIGHLY recommend the Wheeler Upper Receiver Action Rod. Makes the whole thing incredible easy to slap in your vice and get the job done.

[@rikkrikk7251]

I enjoyed this video. Excellent for newer folks

[@guns4Armageddon]

Don't forget a trigger pull gauge

[@abdullah95alobedy]

Great video! You’ve gained a new subscriber. I like your in depth approach, don’t be afraid of making longer videos.

[@workthetrigger]

Thanks! as my sub counts increase i get a little more confidence to do longer videos. Most of the reviews and tutorials can be done in under 10, but more in depth stuff, like this, or explanation videos i can start reaching out and doing slightly longer. Thanks for the sub!

[@thewatcher9778]

colored paint pens and tape, micro tweezers, some kind of magnifier with a light, magnetic bowl to put all the pics and small screws in

[@workthetrigger]

All excellent ideas that would definitely be a benefit. I actually use sharpies on a regular basis for metal marking, too.

[@mohammedcohen]

...Ibought a set of high quality Starrett punches...well wort the money.

[@orionfixr7713]

There's a lot of good advice there. Surprisingly I have almost all of those tools ! The only thing I thought of was a decent set of wood chisels . Not so important now , but were important back in the day of wooden stocks. Good job ,Work.

[@workthetrigger]

True, i've not used wood chisels, but i had to use an exacto chisel to put the cutouts in my R1 grips for the magwell. a little higher level stuff, but definitely a good call if you're working on traditional firearms.

[@jerryjohnsonii4181]

I have everything, but those sanding stones. I need to get me a set of those. I go through that wet and dry sandpaper like water. Awesome video bro, really shows me what tools i have and that i did a great job on picking out the right tools. I have the Wheeler gunsmithing screwdriver set 89, and i use that set all the time. I think the only thing that i have is a good 6 inch anvil vise that is drilled to my bench and attached with bolts. Also a bench drill press too. Awesome video bro and get to WORK.

[@mikemorton6219]

Paper lasts a lot longer if used wet. I use penetrating oil to wet.

[@FishYourHeartOut]

Any brand AR15 Armour wrench! Can find them like 20-30$ on Amazon. And a GOOD torque wrench or wrenches and maybe a crows foot for them.

[@jkalash762]

That first small hammer is actually an upholsterers tack hammer. I have one in my tool box and use it to shape thin shim stock occasionally. I never thought i would see someone else with one in a gun related tool setup...lol when i used it in my gunsmithing courses everyone always wondered what it actually was for.

[@320emerica]

If it gets the job done no need for expensive tools….👍

[@peterk8909]

Forceps, armorer's wrench, torque wrench and tape. Oh, Dremel. Other than these, screw drivers and needle nose keep me happy.

[@Cristopher1976]

I have used my harbor freight torque wrench quite a bit when building ar's. I also have a wheeler fat wrench for mounting scopes. I definitely need some files and stones. All I have right now is a big bastard file and a very small one on a set of multipliers that is very worn these days.

[@workthetrigger]

I got my torque wrench at Menards before we got a HF in town, but i do need another one, and HF is where i'll go. i'd LOVE a fat wrench, i've heard awesome things about that little tool, and with my latest purchase, something like that is getting more required at my bench. thanks for the recommendations!

[@davidbundesen5867]

I’d love to know where you got that awesome mat with all the compartments for roll pins

[@workthetrigger]

It's a soldering mat. Here is mine, but they all work exceptionally well amzn.to/2UwKz55

[@walterkeener4013]

Precision tweezers for CZ very helpful. For the springs

[@workthetrigger]

Good call, I typically use small needle nose pliers, but tweezers would be a nice precision way to place things.

[@cccccc5398]

This helped me a lot. Thank you.

[@triplermotorsports61]

Love the video was wondering what mat your using to collect gun parts.

[@workthetrigger]

I just use hardware totes that you get from a cheap hardware store. Hinge top with different compartments

[@triplermotorsports61]

@@workthetrigger the little plastic tray in your video is what I'm talking about

[@txironhead8427]

@@triplermotorsports61 Yeah, I was thinking he explained where he got all of the tools and never explained the work mat.

[@marshalldidion6959]

How about that grey mat you do all your work on? Really nice to hold all the roll pins and what not. Just stumbled upon your vids, super thorough, well filmed, just subbed. Also sounds like you're a CZ fan, like me haha Nvm I just found it on amazon, "soldering mat"...awesome, keep up the good work dude

[@workthetrigger]

thanks! yep, thats it. here's the link anyway, in case you didn't buy and need to get back to it. amzn.to/2YmGzoD

[@harveygussow7913]

Drills and wrenches so you need cordless drill and a cordless wrenches I suggest a 3/8 inch for a socket type. If you have a. Set of sockets use th smallest ones as for screws the head shape that are out of normal would have to be tactical protection. But we are reverse engineering here. But just about any hardware store will have it or order it for you.

[@mohammedcohen]

...a 'BFH' is a definite tool....many other BF whatevers are necessary tools also...but mostly it's a BFH!!!

[@kirkjones9639]

The vise is actually a mill vise but nothing says you can't use it on a drill press. Speaking of which, one of Harbor Freights bench drill presses are real handy also and not terribly expensive.

[@Bigred-pl8hd]

Magnet blocks are a great addiction.

[@smatterchew]

Very good video! I stumbled across this video for gunsmith shop design ideas. A lot of great ideas. Thank you for taking the time to put this together. Who in the hell gave the dislike?... what a butt nugget.

[@workthetrigger]

Hahaha, this one made my day. I think I've got one guy that runs through in his free time and dislikes all my videos.

[@alant5757]

I agree. Never knew there was a punch just for the bolt catch. Cool. Oh... and the negative dislikes... they hate puppies too. Keep up the good work!

[@wyesolsirius4947]

If you like Kobalt you’ll love Ryobi! 😂

[@torogitv262]

Do you have catalog book guide for gunsmith

[@Jordan-fg7ek]

What kind of mount do you use for your camera and what kind of camera are you using to shoot this ?

[@workthetrigger]

I use a clamp mount on a shelf above my workbench. If you want, I can do a video on my recording and editing setup for the bench and USPSA

[@Jordan-fg7ek]

Yes that would be awesome man! You gained a new subscriber thanks for the imput

[@workthetrigger]

No problem, I'll get that slated into the upcoming videos. Probably be out in the next month.

[@jefffleser7632]

Still waiting for night fision to release sights for my p07. Heard anything yet?

[@workthetrigger]

talked to them a week ago, the timeline was still "2-3 weeks"... going to call back today to see if that's down to "1-2 weeks" or if they're just BSing us. It's getting a little frustrating now, so i'm right up there with ya on the "still waiting, what's going on" thing. will post back here after i call.

[@workthetrigger]

Just called, got the same "2-3 weeks" that we got upon pre-order, so i asked why. Customer Service rep didn't know, i explained that the initial launch date was pushed out twice, and now shipment date is unknown and that the natives are getting restless, so she said she'd ask and send me an email to update. will post again on here (or may just post a video) when i get an update.

[@gamervet7793]

do u recommend soft or the multi grooved vise pads for vices?

[@workthetrigger]

I use soft. Not sure about the grooved ones

[@gergemall]

Nice video thx

[@xxrikan417xx]

👍Thanks brother!

[@TrueBlueYou]

Sounds like Karmakut : )

[@ofureikpea7892]

Is there a step by step way teaching you how to build the gun?

[@ofureikpea7892]

Or manual

[@AdamsCabbins]

Swanlake punch sets ,GRAND RAPIDS _GIP tools

[@mohammedcohen]

...riffle files are handy also...

[@warlockcommandcenter]

I love a good gunsmithing video however your idea of a cheap foldable bench is a big issue to me. The bencH needs to be rock solid free of wiggles and for most basic beginner gunsmiths it need to have 6-8” walls on the back and two sides these should be covered with 1” of foam to catch little parts. Little spring loaded parts can fly almost anywhere but never where you would expect them to be. I recommend that you build a bench or modify good quality bench. As for a bench block I recommend a hockey puck at 1/3 the cost.

[@Helm-w1q]

As a gunsmith of 50 years, I see the same mistakes being made in most of these videos. So here goes. When you are not working on a firearm, you should still be honing your skills. This you can do by making tools and fixtures. I make all my own screwdrivers, hammers punches, chisels. Vise jaw pads. Anything and everything. You want to constantly improve your hand eye coordination. And you should be looking for opertunities to do this. I would seek out a tool store that sells machinist tools. Besides tools, they sell machines, layout dyes, tapping oils taps(be careful with taps) drills files stones and on and on. Most things you need you might find here, if not, someone behind the counter might. And that a big reason right there. Unlike the box store, you have people there who knows the products and can advise you, giving you better tools and better abilities. And more success than failure. You can tell the quality of a man's work, by the quality of his tools.

[@1madmax22]

You'll have to stop doing these good videos...🤣👍... You know I'm working on the firing pin assembly of my CZ75 SP01. Now looking for good tools so its less of a PITA. BTW, you can hook that vice to a chunk of steel like they do with the Ransom rest(30 LBS., or more). That way you can still move it to the floor and beat the crap out of it, or back on the bench for delicate work. And, if you wanna be really technical with screws, they do make torque handles to torque screws and things like that, that you would use bits in. Im looking for a good torque driver, all the punches I can get with the nipples, calipers and a tap and die set. Well thanks for the run-down on tools I need. Any suggestions for really good quality items, I'll take-em. Some of these tools I DO want almost engineering quality, like the calipers and a torque driver. Thanks again, good video.

[@warlockcommandcenter]

I love good suggestions on gunsmithing tools unfortunately this ain’t it let’s start with the bench a folding bench is a serious mistake the bench need to be stable it needs a back and two sides to trap things that fly out of the n your working onas a matter of fact I think a starter bench should have

[@workthetrigger]

What cheap foldable bench are we talking about? It's been a while since I made the video, but my bench is a solid wood bench with a back across the entire thing 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@blakevannest5893]

I’m a dude in my basement who fiddles around with guns - WorkTheTrigger 2019

[@workthetrigger]

And 2020

[@Blayze1017]

The Talking Hands

[@GINZO4849]

Your Bench Block link is no good. You might want to check the rest.

[@workthetrigger]

Thanks for the heads up 👊 amazon changes them every now and then

[@GINZO4849]

@@workthetrigger Things come and go. Also, the bench is unavailable. What did that rascal cost? Looks nice

[@workthetrigger]

You can pick them up for $125ish at harbor freight if you get a coupon.

[@GINZO4849]

@@workthetrigger Great price! Thanks

[@DCopp]

Dremel

[@workthetrigger]

Almost, but there's a reason i didn't recommend it. people tend to go a little too far with a dremel. Most of the things you can do with a rotary tool you can do with hand tools, just at a slower pace... which keeps you from getting into trouble when starting out. 😅

[@DCopp]

Work use the felt bob, not the sanding drum...

[@workthetrigger]

I do use the felt wheel, as well as a few other attachments, but a dremel isn't really necessary, and when starting out (what i kinda made this list for) i think it's safer to learn by hand and get the hang of what you're doing slowly and methodically.

[@kennyward4674]

The talking hands were irritating as hell.