Gunsmithing tools and your choices

[kings6]

I will try to find the list and post it once I get back to Oregon.

[putnro01]

I have a set of Brownell's screwdrivers with the hollow ground tips, that has saved many a screw head.

Magnetic tray to keep small/loose parts.

Magnet on a stick for the times I drop those parts.

Kroil, for loosening hard to move pieces.

Recently picked up an eagle brand plunger can, plan to fill it w/ Ed's Red.

Exploded parts diagrams and manuals for each firearm I'm working on. Manuals from multiple sources help too.

Carding brush--I've rust blued a few rifles (Krag and a Kibler SMR kit).

To get list: Pin gauges to measure cylinders and bores.

[jeffh]

The best set of screwdriver you can find, even if it takes time to pay for them.
Quality "stones," diamond plates and wet/dry abrasive papers with a piece of plate glass or solid (stone or synthetic stone) counter-top sample to use as a platten.
Buy only really good files and treat them like they are your babies. NEVER toss one into a drawer with other tools, especially other files.
A good set of punches, including roll-pin punches is a must, plus a few good brass hammers, small, medium and large. There are actually some things, like slugging bores, when I us a 2# drilling hammer.

Hammers and files are NOT crude implements and need to be used correctly and treated correctly to to good work. Hamilton Bowen has an article out there somewhere on the use and care of files and is probably the best write-up I've seen for someone to get a handle on the topic. He warns that if you don't put HANDLES on your files, that you get what you deserve. I appreciate than kind of candor.

[putnro01]

I'm also going to add, get more books.

Angier's Blueing
Howe's Gunsmithing
Gunsmithing with Simple Hand Tools

I think most of these can be found through Stackpole Books.

[edk]

Interesting to see the comments ranging from screwdrivers and files/abrasives through to lathes and mills.

[bigbore5]

Guess the tool has to depend upon the job at hand.

[nicholst55]

I don't think anyone mentioned them yet, but Jerry Kuhnhausen's Shop Manuals are an invaluable resource. I have them for guns that I think I may own!

[axman]

My dad built 2 dozen muzzleloaders with a 50 yr old table saw, 3/8" Black and Decker hand drill, old plug in copper tip soldering irons, hacksaw and tons of old files and taps.
He once draw filed a round barrel to octagon for a rolling block.
He didn't read all the books that said you needed $50,000 worth of tools to do good work.

I know a guy who built a 50-70 Colt style single action with Jet mill drill.

[bigbore5]

You should watch the gun builders at Colonial Williamsburg. They do everything, including rifling the barrel, by hand. Modern tools just make it easier and faster.