Waveform

Since I started to do more and more fiddling around with my guns (beyond routine cleaning) I started to assemble a separate tool kit just for that purpose. Here's a photo of what I have so far but I wondered what others have found useful/indespensible in their tool box?

I would be lost without my 1/16" punch and love my new "Ruger popper". What else do I need?



Wave

Hairtrigger

I use shot bags filled with sand or rice to hild my guns in various positions when I am working on them

LAGun

You may need a good Bench Block and/or a Vice to hold slides and such...

terry_p

I bought an 89 piece screwdriver kit made by Wheeler a few years ago and it suits my needs.

WvDave

I have one of these interchangeable head hammers in my "smith" kit. I use it quite often. Free shipping from Amazon

SE 8355HH 5-in-1 Dual Interchangeable Head Hammer - Amazon.com

I also have a larger rubber mallet in my kit - I have several Mark III's

heymatthew

I think a good set of brass punches is a good thing to have for drifting sights, etc. I picked up a set of brass/steel punches from a local hardware store. I think there's about 8 of each in various sizes.

heymatthew

I'm assuming the cat in the photo is your way of not having to buy a microfiber cloth, yes?

dV8r

Very nice.
Also a plastic or wood mallet would be a good addition. Won't be long and a larger box will be needed also.

bearcatter

Any brushed stainless Rugers? You need a piece of red Scotchbrite, to disappear any light scratches.

bhefley59

Plastic or hard rubber hammer for that extra pop without marring the surface. Also I use a roll of tape to hold guns on to knock pins into the center . Nice collection so far.

Waveform

Great idea - I have a couple for my Lead Sled but hadn't that of that use - thanks!

You are correct. I have used the vise in my garage but it's not kind to fine finishes. I need something better.

Wow - 89 is impressive. Are they bits that fit in a driver or individual tools?

I like that hammer and think I will order one. Thanks!

I do have a rubber mallet but since I don't own a Mark III I haven't needed it....

I have the indespensible 1/16" and a 1/8" - any other specific sizes you find useful?

The cat cannot stay away from the gun stuff. Either she simply appreciates things that are related to deadly force or she's hooked on the smell of Hoppe's #9, I don't know which.

Yep - I already need a bigger box.....

I didn't know that - great tip!

Can you explain how the tape functions in setting pins? That is a step that feels a bit tricky at times and I would like to hear a trick or tip related to it.

This is great stuff! Keep 'em coming!

heymatthew

I can't think of any particular sizes off the top of my head, but as long as the ones you have are working well, I'd stick with those. I find that the largest one in my kit works well for drifting out sights (which I only do every once in a while).

Use the cat's tail as a cleaning cloth a couple of times. She'll move.

Allfat

Set the roll of tape flat on the bench making a ring of support with a hole in the middle. Place your gun on top of the roll of tape centering the pin to be removed in the hole of the tape. Hammer out pin.

The tape acts as a support on all sides of the pin being removed allowing you to drive pins out with great efficiency and ease, while still being soft on the frame or slide of the gun.

When setting pins in place, you can just use the flat bench with no support because you don't need the recess for the pin to fall as it is removed. Hope that all made sense.

Smithy

What ever you do, please get yourself the above screwdriver set or check out Brownells on line for their smithing screwdrivers. Craftsman screwdrivers are some of the finest, but NOT for guns. They have a tapered bit and gunsmith screws are all flat sided and picky about what their turned with. Unfortunately I know this the hard way with more than a few screwed up gun screws. Smithy.

bhefley59

This is correct Thank you !!