Gunsmithing tools?

[Froogal]

I've already got the screwdrivers, and I've got some punches. Would a set of needle files be useful? If so, what is the best brand?

I have a couple of Uberti's that seem to have hair triggers, to the point that sometimes they will fire BEFORE I am ready, and no, it is not just me because I get along just fine with my other single action revolvers.

When I pull back the hammers on either gun in question, there is not a good, positive clicking. Just feels kind of mushy.

[Abilene]

I'll be interested in what answer you get (Coffinmaker?).  My files are all just a random assortment, and the little ones I have are super cheap. 

However, hammer notches and sears are one thing I have never tackled. "A man's got to know his limitations." 

[Boggus Deal]

Well, for trigger notches on hammers and sears, files are not what you want. You need some good quality stones.

[Sagebrush Burns]

Brownell's is always a good place to look for gunsmith tools.

[Froogal]

Well, for trigger notches on hammers and sears, files are not what you want. You need some good quality stones.

Thank you! I had thought about that.

[DeaconKC]

And Dremels are the gunsmith's best friend...repairing guns messed up by someone with a Dremel!

[Froogal]

And Dremels are the gunsmith's best friend...repairing guns messed up by someone with a Dremel!

Well, I do have a dremel on the bench, it is handy with a brass pencil brush for cleaning primer pockets, but that is pretty much all it gets used for.

[Abilene]

I used my Dremel (Craftsman) for the first time in ages recently, shortening main springs and setscrews that were too long on some new '58s.  Yes, I took them out of the guns first. 

[Coffinmaker]

Well, now that you ask

Froogal, you have a good start.  A quality set of hollow ground, properly fitted screwdrivers are essential.  Quality punches and a quality Awl.  A small Brass Hammer, same same size small "chasing" hammer.  A good Quarter Inch drive Impact Driver and a Ball Peen to whack it with.  An assortment of hi-quality files with a "safe" side (not from hardware stores) that range from coarse to very fine.  A small set of diamond needle files.  Most of those recommendations won't be found in you Jam and Fudge hardware store.  Become very very familiar with the Brownells catalogue.

If you're going to attack the Trigger sear and the Hammer Notches, you really need a specialized jig.  Without a Jig, you're going to need a specialized Gunplumber.  With the proper Jig a very fine cut file is OK, but special square stones are better (Brownells again).  Normally, when Mr. Average does their own trigger job, so much metal is gone it's called start over with a new part.

Some specialized tools you have to make yourself, such as a "snake eyes" driver for the firing pin ferrules on an R&D Cylinder.

A machinist vice is essential unless you have 3 arms and hands.  A bench top Drill Press is invaluable as is a bench top sander.  Bench top grinder with a polishing wheel side.  A  flat diamond honing plate.  A goodly supply of 220, 600, 1000, and 2000 Grit Wet/Dry sand paper.  Surprisingly, A little diamond fishing hook sharpener is very very handy and makes a great flat backer for sandpaper.  A steel ball bearing for muzzle crowning.

Speaking of the dreaded Dremel Tool.  Whenever an approaching customer admitted to owning a Dremel, I immediately doubled my estimate for the job.  More fine guns have been ruined with a Dremel than any other tool in existence.  However, they do come in handy with a cut-off wheel and polishing wheels.

A credit card with an available balance.  You're going to be buying lots of replacement parts for those parts you screw up.  Plus buying the tools with which to screw up those expensive parts. 

Don't forget, yule need a good SOLID workbench to hold all these tools.  Once you have everything, you will have about one square foot of space in which to actually work with a 6 foot bench 

GOOD LUCK

PS:  This has been just a starter list.  Were I to continue, I'd be at it all day.

[Froogal]

Well, now that you ask

Froogal, you have a good start.  A quality set of hollow ground, properly fitted screwdrivers are essential.  Quality punches and a quality Awl.  A small Brass Hammer, same same size small "chasing" hammer.  A good Quarter Inch drive Impact Driver and a Ball Peen to whack it with.  An assortment of hi-quality files with a "safe" side (not from hardware stores) that range from coarse to very fine.  A small set of diamond needle files.  Most of those recommendations won't be found in you Jam and Fudge hardware store.  Become very very familiar with the Brownells catalogue.

If you're going to attack the Trigger sear and the Hammer Notches, you really need a specialized jig.  Without a Jig, you're going to need a specialized Gunplumber.  With the proper Jig a very fine cut file is OK, but special square stones are better (Brownells again).  Normally, when Mr. Average does their own trigger job, so much metal is gone it's called start over with a new part.

Some specialized tools you have to make yourself, such as a "snake eyes" driver for the firing pin ferrules on an R&D Cylinder.

A machinist vice is essential unless you have 3 arms and hands.  A bench top Drill Press is invaluable as is a bench top sander.  Bench top grinder with a polishing wheel side.  A  flat diamond honing plate.  A goodly supply of 220, 600, 1000, and 2000 Grit Wet/Dry sand paper.  Surprisingly, A little diamond fishing hook sharpener is very very handy and makes a great flat backer for sandpaper.  A steel ball bearing for muzzle crowning.

Speaking of the dreaded Dremel Tool.  Whenever an approaching customer admitted to owning a Dremel, I immediately doubled my estimate for the job.  More fine guns have been ruined with a Dremel than any other tool in existence.  However, they do come in handy with a cut-off wheel and polishing wheels.

A credit card with an available balance.  You're going to be buying lots of replacement parts for those parts you screw up.  Plus buying the tools with which to screw up those expensive parts. 

Don't forget, yule need a good SOLID workbench to hold all these tools.  Once you have everything, you will have about one square foot of space in which to actually work with a 6 foot bench 

GOOD LUCK

PS:  This has been just a starter list.  Were I to continue, I'd be at it all day.

I have worked as an auto mechanic, and even worked for a John Deere dealer. Pretty much all big tools, but there was still some very fine work to be done. I also have some machine shop experience and was exposed to  some very limited tolerances, but the tolerances in firearms seem to surpass anything I have experienced so far.

I will research those tools mentioned and determine if occasional use will warrant the cash outlay. If not, I will probably pay a visit to my friendly, local gunsmith.

The satisfaction of doing-it-myself may not offset the frustration.