Novice in building guns

[hawkeye1755]

I'm an absolute novice in building gun's.
Since 1983 i shoot all kind of guns but never made one.But it's time to save some money.
So what kind of different tools is a must to have,
and what tools can i have. :bow:
So all you ' Masters of the Bench' thank you for your help. :applause:

 

[hollandbriscoe]

Listen young student and the master shall speak (Master of bs that is) :rotf:

In all seriousness I am by no means a master gun builder in fact I am still working on my first kit. But the things that I have found that help the most are a willingness to learn and ask questions and extreme patience. As far as tools go I got most of the way though my build using nothing but a 1/4 inch chisel and mallet, a small square, a honing block, pencils, various files, and a cordless drill with some good bits. Most of the mistakes I've made came after I bought a fancy little set of chisels and I tried doing the decorative stuff on my gun. The only other thing that I would recomend is a good work bench and some good lighting as well as any of the great building books out there.

Jack

Here endeth the lesson..... :grin:

 

[rich pierce]

OK, here's my recommendation for a first gun:
Get a kit for a fusil, or trade gun, or musket. These guns require all the basic skills, but do not require as much artistry (carving, engraving) as some other types, and the lines can be a bit bulky w/o looking as out of place as they would on a longrifle or sleek fowler.

First thing you need is a book. Can't give enough detail on a forum without writing a book here.

If you start with a precarved stock, partially inlet, you need:
Woodshaping:
About 6 chisels
About 6 files and rasps
planes or spokeshaves
scrapers
abrasives

Metal work:
Drill with a way of leveling it
Files, triangular, flat, fine, coarse, needle set
Soldering ability
Taps for 8-32, 10-32 and drills for that
Abrasives for polishing

Finish work: fine sandpaper or scrapers and emery clothfor metal and rubbing compound for the wood finish.

Vise, good light, and vision help if you are old like me

I have dozens of specialty tools that I use once a gun but you can get by w/o them.

The most important work you can do in gunbuilding is study, study, study originals in person if possible and in books if not. And to get someone to check your work in person, offer advice regularly as you go along. You absolutely must handle and study guns in person, whether they are originals or custom guns made by gunsmiths recently. It is impossible to understand shaping without putting hands on a well made gun.

NEVER trust someone who is selling parts to offer sound knowledge on what is or is not "right", without checking several sources. If you rely on nice catalogues for your understanding of gun history and style, you'll be misled 99% of the time. There are exceptions to this rule, and everybody know who they are. They are the ones who supply stuff that nobody complains about as being incorrect or low quality.

 

[clayfeld]

Building a gun really *isn't* a good way to "save money", Undertaker. You can often buy completed rifles for about the same amount that you would spend on the parts set, the extra tools you will need, the various chemicals, finishing materials and books. What it *is*, is great way to get involved in the mechanics of a different era, to learn about history and gun types, and to develop new skills and great satisfaction. I'm doing my first parts set (I had made three simple kit guns years ago) and am learning a lot and enjoying it greatly. (Also learning how to skillfully (?) correct multiple mistakes!)

 

[bioprof]

I started building muzzleloaders about a year ago, and have finished three of them. When I built the first one, I bought a small bench-top drill press (almost a necessity), files, drill bits, taps, and sandpaper. The only tool I used for inletting was an 1/8" chisel that I made from a screwdriver. It's still my favorite tool for inletting that I use about 95% of the time. If you are planning on building a percussion rifle, it is a good idea to buy a jig for drilling the hole for the nipple.

If you already have a drill press, then most of the tools that you need can be purchased locally. Second hand stores and antique shops can also be good sources for tools.

 

[Swampman]

Most people build 6 or 7 guns before they produce one worth keeping. Unlees you want to build for a living, I buy one already built.

 

[bob1961]

parts and some tools are running me over 1,000.00 already so far....and i still need the butt plate and pipes fer my parts gun....so the cheapness is gone :shocked2: ....listen to what others says :hatsoff: .............bob

 

[davy]

You want it when? And fer how much? :rotf:

 

[oldarmy]

go for it.
Rich pretty much covers it as far as tools,
You will learn as you go along.
I would say find a Mentor, someone that has build some and can offer real expericance and advise.
OTHERWISE..
Have fun and remember, no matter what it looks like. as long as it works
there is only ONE LIKE IT. YOU BUILT IT. YOU DIDN'T PAY SOMEONE TO BUILD IT FOR YOU.
Good luck and if you need some help, while I am only a beginner, I would be happy to share what little I know with you

 

[Zonie]

One of the tools I think you will find to be worth it's weight in gold is a 6 inch Dial Caliper guage.
These measure outside, inside and depth dimensions to an accuracy of .025mm and you will find it useful for finding out where to put the barrel and thimble pins, how deep to cut the clearance mortices for the barrel underlugs, finding the center of that trigger plate...I use mine to double check all of the drill bits I am going to use to make absolutly sure they are the size I think they are. I measure screws to make sure what size they really are, how much of that screw is sticking out so I'll know how much to cut off... the list goes on and on.

Now that I own an electronic caliper, I would say buy one with an old fashioned mechanical dial.
Although the electronic ones work great, they aren't worth a dam when the battary goes dead right when you need to use it.

If you were in the U.S.A. I would say you could pick up one of these made in China for about $20.00 but I don't know if they are available in Germany.
Have fun!

 

[dmills]

Ebay is a good source for reasonably priced tools like the dial caliper. Needle files as well.

 

[hawkeye1755]

Thank you all , you ' Masters of the Bench ' :bow: :bow:
I think i will start with a Tulle de chasse.
Which kit is the the best to start with? :hmm:
:hatsoff:

 

[LSU TIGER]

I'd check out the offerings at Track of the Wolf. [url] www.trackofthewolf.com[/url] Since thet're in the US, I'm afraid that shipping would the pretty high.

 

RE Davis has the most accurate kit, correct barrel length, walnut stock, and a more correct stock. Link to fusil Fin It gets my vote. Bill