Minimum shop tools

[jweston]

I am interested in starting my shop. Could someone help me figure out the minimum tools that I will need to build -- where to get them (beyond TOW) is appreciated.

I have the schematics for building a gun vise from scratch and also an ingraving vise.

This might be a good sticky.
BBurg

 

[kansas_volunteer]

I'd say the minimum tools needed is about 102. (actually i've never tried to figure it out.)

I am interested, however in learning more about the gun vise schematics you have. Any chance you can post them?

 

[jweston]

The gun vise was actually a wooden stand with 2 sets of clamps on either end that was posted a month or so ago. I have the printout in my car and at lunch, I will get at least the forum ID of the person who posted it.

 

[Mike Brooks]

A 3/16" chisel, a mallet of some sort and a bandsaw....that about covers it. Oh, a pencil and a screw driver are usefull too.... some drill bits and a drill are handy too.

 

[bob1961]

i have plans of this stand printed out already, just PT me yer address and i'll mail them out to ya....fer some reason the program i used to draw them won't let me export them to my email to send them out that way, i've sent them out to a bunch of guys already :v ..............bob

 

[Roy]

A 3/16" chisel, a mallet of some sort and a bandsaw....that about covers it. Oh, a pencil and a screw driver are usefull too.... some drill bits and a drill are handy too.

a couple files and a hacksaw too

 

[kansas_volunteer]

Too, streamline things a bit, you'll need cutting tools like saws. slicing tools, like chisels and planes, and abrading tools like scrapers and rasps or files.

Griping tools like a vise, vise grips, clamps etc. will also be required.

Within each of these genreal catagories is a whole range of things you can equip yourself with. Each new effort will somehow require a new tool. Right now I'm having best luck working my GPR kit using a half-round 1/2-inch Buck Brothers carpenters gouge and No 7 and No 3 wood carving gouges. I know if I were to get more elaborate with the project, or start an altogether new project I'd probably get better results using something else. At Benning School for Boys, the standard answer to every question was "It depends on the situation." That's pretty much what you're going to arrive at when you try to decide what tools you're going to need for a particular effort.

Just buy some basic ones and go from there. If you have to stop a project to wait on a new, but correct tool to arrive, do it. You're number one tool is patience. You're number two tool is the ability to visualize the project in 3D and to extend your vision so as to see how one thing might lead to another. This will keep you out of trouble.

Add to your gunmaking library the book, "The Nature and Art of Workmanship," by David Pye. It's a good mind tool.

 

[Doc Arroyo]

I can't tell you the minimum, but these are the ones that are out on my bench the most often...

Set of Brownell's screwdrivers.
Chisels...1/16" 1/8" 1/4" and a couple of 1/2"
X-acto knife
Scrapers...mostly shop made to fit the job
Small bench plane
Bench top belt sander
A couple of flat files, a few triangle files and a set of needle files.

I get tools from Brownells, Midway USA , Woodcraft and local tool swaps. Most of my chisels are 50 to 100 years old. I pick them up for a dollar or two, knock the rust off, build a new handle ad sharpen them. It is amazing to me how many really good chisels are out there being used as paint stir sticks and putty knives! :shocked2:

 

[mbw907]

I found the very same to be true.The older metal seems to hold an edge better and has the shapes that are truer to the proper angle that you need. I bought some new Buck bros. chisels and they are not anything like the antique Bucks that I got at a flea market. The newer ones are bulky and softer metal.

 

[Shelby Skinner]

Don't forget a small propane torch and a pair of needlenose pliers!

 

[Fullstock58]

I agree doc, but what tools we use is a lesson in individualism, what works for me may not work for you, thats why we amass so many tools that we do not use. We here about tools, we read about tools, we buy tools, We try them and sometimes we don't like them.

One thing is constant, you must learn to sharpen your cutting tools, dull tools is a sin for any woodworker, You learn to sharpen your cutting tools, you will need less cutting tools.

The other thing is how elaborate we want to make our projects, simple to complex requires many different types of tools to correctly do the job.

My .002 worth is no matter what, become a pack rat and keep most everything as you will find a need for most things.

 

[shortstring]

A drill press would go a long way. Wouldn't even have to be a big or good one. You can fashion something each side the table to support the gun. Would be invaluable when putting in touch holes, drums, nipples, barrel pins, lock screws, ect.

 

[mrbortlein]

Blacksburg,
When it comes down to tight areas and intricate work, I get out my Dremel and the 100+ piece tool box set. I know that for some a chisle and hammer are the only way to do woodwork, but not all technology is a bad thing; stuff like internet forums.
mrbortlein

 

[John Taylor]

I haven't counted to see how many but if you take the tools already mentioned and add 3 lathes, vertical mill, horizontal mill, rifling machine, surface grinder, air compressor, bead blaster, barrel vice, tig and mig welder, and a bunch of other tool, it still ain't enough. You will always find something ells you need, including a bigger shop.