Tools of the Trade

Gunsmithing Essentials for Building Your Bench

Getting into gunsmithing can seem a little overwhelming. You want to work on your own firearms but it seems like you can’t work on your guns yourself without extensive education, tons of experience, and expensive equipment. That’s where you’re wrong. Gunsmithing starts with a passion for firearms, a desire to learn, and the right equipment. Here are some essential tools to get your gunsmithing bench started (and they won’t break the bank).

Gunsmithing Screwdriver Set

Above all else, have a good set of screwdrivers. The size and price of kits can vary, but the 72 Piece Professional Gunsmithing Screwdriver Set is the best for the job. With a comfortable handle and 72 bits that include the most common types used for gunsmithing, this set will get plenty of use on your workbench for years to come. Plus, when you’ve got some gunsmithing experience under your belt, you can get bit add-ons and upgrades to ensure you really do have the best of the best for whatever gun is on your bench.

Wrench

In addition to a screwdriver set, you’ll also want to get a wrench. The Wheeler 30 Piece Hex and Torx Wrench set has all the hex and torx heads you’ll need. When tightening screws, you will want to be careful. You don’t want to overtighten screws in your gun, but you also don’t want to leave any screws loose. Remember to always check out the manufacturer’s guide for the firearm you’re working on; it will include exact specifications on how tight your screws should be. If you’re worried about overtightening a screw, check out an adjustable, interchangeable-bit wrench like the Wheeler F.A.T. Wrench that allows you to adjust screws to exact torque measurements each and every time, whether you’re mounting a scope or assembling a rifle. The F.A.T. wrench works with your screwdriver bits, too.

Brass Hammer and Punches

When repairing or assembling a firearm you’ll run into plenty of small roll pins that you’ll have to carefully put back into place. You’ll have to make sure you’re using the right punch size for each pin, so it’s important to have a set of punches with varying sizes. The Wheeler Hammer and Punch Set comes with 8 different sized punches as well as a hammer to push the pins out. Don’t worry; the punches won’t damage your gun since they are made of brass, a material softer than steel. The hammer has brass on one side and nylon on the other side, so you won’t have to worry about damage with that tool either.

Files

A file is one of the most versatile tools you can get for working on your gun. Whether you want to work on smoothing out an action for speed in a competition gun or refinishing a stock on your favorite field gun, a set of different files like the Wheeler Professional Gunsmithing File Set will have you covered.

Vise

You’re going to have a lot of moving parts when you’re working on your firearms. The solution? A gun vise. A vise holds your long gun or handgun in place while you’re working on it, making it easier to hammer pins into place and switch out smaller, more intricate parts. Vises also help you in the cleaning process of your firearm; a process every gunsmith should know how to do and do regularly. There are a lot of vises on the market, you can start out with a basic one like the Wheeler Barrel Vise, or get a more elaborate one from Tipton like the Best Gun Vise. Either way, a vise is fundamental for working on any firearm.

Having good quality fundamental tools on your bench is the best way to get started in the world of gunsmithing. Once you have the tools, read up on the firearms you intend to build and work on. Depending on what type of guns you want to spend the most time working with, there are even more awesome gadgets and tools you can grab to make the task even easier. If you want to work mostly on ARs, you might want to invest in a Wheeler AR Armorer’s Bench Block to keep your AR parts secure while installing new pins, detents, or springs. Looking to shoot long range rifles? Check out some scope mounting kids and tools. There are a ton of different specialized tools out there for the special project you have planned… but before you dive in, make sure you have the basics!