So you want to be a gunsmith. This is a video series dedicated to exploring what tools you need to get started and why. Thanks for watching. 45 Alfa Charlie Papa.
My great grandfather was a gunsmith/blacksmith. He owned a shop called "Bills muzzle loading shop" where he made kentucky long rifles and knives plus a variety of other objects such as canes, fishing poles, etc... I plan on taking up his old shop someday, videos like this will really help.
I recently enlisted in the Army and my mos is 91F Small arms / artillery repair. So I’ll be working with weapons. Ppl have told me that they offer us a penn foster course that will certify us for gunsmithing and I’m all about taking any opportunities I can to learn something new. So that’s how I ended up on this video lol
Great tips! I built two benches over the years, but was limited by what I was using as a base, cabinets, pre-fab stuff, etc., and I’m very tall so they could be taller. I’m building a new one now for my son and will follow this advice. 👍
Just a few thoughts from decades of construction, home improvements, antique restorations and amateur gunsmithing that developed my favorite work bench(es). My bench top is "L" shaped, with the deepest part to the right. The deepest part is 34" x 40" wide and the left side is 22" deep x 46" wide. Total width is 86" with a back stop that is 5" x 86", but the back stop part that is visible is 4". The back stop is important to keep anything from falling behind the bench. There is a 1& 1/2" overhang on the front of the shallow left side so that various clamps can be used. The deep right side of the bench has a woodworking vise level with the bench surface and it is clear underneath so I have the option of sitting on a stool or standing. To the far left is a machinist's vise. The surface is 2" x 6" wood and covered with tempered Masonite. The bench support is eight 4" x 4" boards. This bench is in the basement and also serves as a reloading bench. A second bench is in the garage with virtually the same dimensions and two vises, but the surface is made from Oak semi-trailer flooring (it looks like a large butcher's block) with a two-part epoxy finish.
Thank you Bob. If you do not bolt the bench to the wall the backstop is a really good idea. I also wish I would have thought of the 1 1/2" overhang at the front. I don't clamp things to the bench very often but when I do the overhang would be very handy.
Good advice on the bench height... I use my main workbench to work on all kind of projects, not just guns... I probably work on more spring-piston air rifles than anything, and use a Tipton Gun Vise (mainly for scopes and barrel cleaning, etc) that I can store on a lower shelf under the bench... I can clamp my B-Square spring compressor to the bench top. My bench is 36 inches high; I'm 5'6" and still shrinking... (getting old ! LOL!)... I find it about the right height for my tinkering projects... You can walk completely around the bench with a mechanics vice on one corner and a woodworker's vice on the opposite diagonal corner... love both vices for different reasons... I got the plans from a Readers Digest book many years ago. I built a similar bench using the same plan, only it is longer and goes up against my workshop basement wall below the pegboard... with a long a/c power bar (12 outlets)... shelf and drawers from an old kitchen cabinet underneath... it does accumulate a lot of junk, but my main bench stays fairly clean, depending on my current projects... and I have two workbenches in my garage ! LOL !
Make sure along the edge of your bench have either a small lip sticking up, or a small groove to prevent small parts from rolling or sliding off into the floor. Just a short lip sticking up would work. Or better yet a groove routed into the edge of the bench top...
Great video :-) I need to build this bench. I work on a lot of my own weapons usually at the kitchen table, which obviously is not the optimal situation. Nice to see that you are a fellow USAF vet as well :-)
Thank you for your kind words. I started on the kitchen table long, long ago on a planet far far away. Acquire things as you need them and your selection of tools will grow along with your experience. I'm proud to0 be an AF vet and I'm sure you are too!
@@paulmazan4909 My pleasure Sir :-) Yes Sir, my kitchen table is my office and everything else at a moments notice. Don't always have time to carry a small project outside to a work shop. I have any tool imaginable but could always use more firearms specific tools. Most of my gun tools are geared towards my AR's. I absolutely am, wouldn't trade the experience for anything.
Would you please tell me the magnification of your magnify glass-light combo...I've been shopping around some, but asking someone that has one beats all the shopping. I'm looking for one that clamps to bench/table like you have. I would like to see down pistol barrels with it, just something that helps me see generally how clean or dirty the inside is, plus the regular benefits of a magnified lens and light. Ive been using a hand-held and I need that hand back. So thanks in advance if you can get me that info., and if your magnification isn't exactly what you REALLY like, tell me what would be better...thanks again. I also say "generally" because if I wanted to see detail in a barrel, I'd get a bore scope but don't really need one yet for any reason I know of. Thanks.
I have one similar to the one in the video... made by APCO...1.75x magnification... I purchased it years ago from Micro Mark, but have not seen the same model in quite some time... it has an AC outlet on it that is very handy... they do have this one that is similar, but no outlet... www.micromark.com/Articulated-LED-Lamp-with-Magnifier Grainger also has some also... much more reasonably priced than Brownell's !
Yeah looking seriously, into being a certified gun Smith. Any ideas on accredited schools for this trade? Thanks fellas, stay safe an always puttem in the center .
I got to have this courts hear that you’re offering I do believe that help that you’re giving me right now is what I’m looking yet I’ve been searching for a good batch I am hello hello hello ashamed to say that your doubts the van I work badge is not the same as mine but Jan everybody has their own no idea where the workbench is and if it’s yours it’s your workbench or if it’s mine it’s my work badge the rules say I do appreciate your time and effort to enlighten us about gunsmithing. Thank you here’s looking at you
Dear sir. I own a WW2 relic. A Japanese Luger that my father brought home. He fought on Iwo Jima and also collected a Samurai sword. The luger is of unknown caliber with an empty clip. I am wondering if a smith can produce ammo for this weapon? Just askin'
A smith should be able to cast the chamber and measure it. Once they know what it is chambered for it depends. If current is not available and if you don't reload you will have to find a licensed specialty ammo maker to make it for you. Thanks for watching.
I cant for the life of me find a bench vice, there are 2 home depos and a lowes and none of them have a heavy duty vice. Im gonna have to eat the cost of shipping a vice to my home.
He Dear... Can you talk to me in your free time? I have some necessary questions as I am going through the stage of building a rifle for my 75-year-old grandfather He is a fan of musket rifles, but unfortunately, this type of rifle is not found in our country, so I decided to make it myself. And I brought English walnut, wood treatment materials, iron oxidation materials, glaze materials, and everything And I followed several clips on RUclips of the makers of musket rifles (gunsmith vid ) I faced only one problem, is closing the back of the barrel, so I searched the Internet for ways to close the barrel. I found the breech plug method, but I searched more about closing the barrel with a breech plug. Unfortunately, I found many forums warning against this method, and some say 200 shots max And this thing made me feel bad about designing the rifle for my grandfather, so I stopped working To sum up all of my words - is closing the barrel with a (breech plug) safe and reliable? I am very afraid, please help me, I am very hesitant and I apologize for the long wait and thank you in advance
Actually both are correct and if you did a little research you would know this. ALFA is the original spelling for the NATO Phonetic alphabet. The reason for this is that only 2 of the 31 languages this was developed for have the PH making the F sound (English and French) It is used interchangeably in English and French versions but when for other country's like Russia, Spain, and Italy It is spelled ALFA. Kind of like this little Italian car company called Alfa Romeo Thanks for watching.
My great grandfather was a gunsmith/blacksmith. He owned a shop called "Bills muzzle loading shop" where he made kentucky long rifles and knives plus a variety of other objects such as canes, fishing poles, etc... I plan on taking up his old shop someday, videos like this will really help.
Good luck in your journey and thanks for watching.
The best (and most simple) advise on bench height I ever got. I thank you.
Thanks for watching.
Without a lathe a person is just a gun plumber , a true Smith can thread, chamber and headspace
Thank you mister charlie for your effort to teach people
“Your first Gunsmithing tool is a hacksaw!”
*ATF has entered the chat*
Thank you so much. Can’t wait to work my way through this series. Really appreciate your real world low key common sense approach.
You are so welcome! Thanks for watching.
Thank You , Sir. Much much appreciated.
I recently enlisted in the Army and my mos is 91F Small arms / artillery repair. So I’ll be working with weapons. Ppl have told me that they offer us a penn foster course that will certify us for gunsmithing and I’m all about taking any opportunities I can to learn something new.
So that’s how I ended up on this video lol
Good luck with your endeavors. Thanks for watching.
Sonora desert institute has a program as well. They accept the gi bill as well or american gun institute. Stay away from Penn foster
Colton Boykin thanks
BRIA’S WORLD I hope all is well on your journey.
Good luck with your enlistment in the US Army, I served in the Field Artillery from 1983-1995. I wish you the best.
Awesome & inspiring video
Thanks for watching.
Great tips! I built two benches over the years, but was limited by what I was using as a base, cabinets, pre-fab stuff, etc., and I’m very tall so they could be taller. I’m building a new one now for my son and will follow this advice. 👍
Some good tips ... thank you sir .
The best GOD DAMN ADVICE ON THE WORKBENCH AND WORK STATION GOD DAMMIT 🤣
Jokes aside
He is actually right about the bench prospect
Nice
This was an amazing and informative video
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you For loving Them so much
What
Great advice, thank you
Just a few thoughts from decades of construction, home improvements, antique restorations and amateur gunsmithing that developed my favorite work bench(es). My bench top is "L" shaped, with the deepest part to the right. The deepest part is 34" x 40" wide and the left side is 22" deep x 46" wide. Total width is 86" with a back stop that is 5" x 86", but the back stop part that is visible is 4". The back stop is important to keep anything from falling behind the bench. There is a 1& 1/2" overhang on the front of the shallow left side so that various clamps can be used.
The deep right side of the bench has a woodworking vise level with the bench surface and it is clear underneath so I have the option of sitting on a stool or standing. To the far left is a machinist's vise. The surface is 2" x 6" wood and covered with tempered Masonite. The bench support is eight 4" x 4" boards. This bench is in the basement and also serves as a reloading bench.
A second bench is in the garage with virtually the same dimensions and two vises, but the surface is made from Oak semi-trailer flooring (it looks like a large butcher's block) with a two-part epoxy finish.
Thank you Bob. If you do not bolt the bench to the wall the backstop is a really good idea. I also wish I would have thought of the 1 1/2" overhang at the front. I don't clamp things to the bench very often but when I do the overhang would be very handy.
Thank you!
Good advice on the bench height... I use my main workbench to work on all kind of projects, not just guns... I probably work on more spring-piston air rifles than anything, and use a Tipton Gun Vise (mainly for scopes and barrel cleaning, etc) that I can store on a lower shelf under the bench... I can clamp my B-Square spring compressor to the bench top.
My bench is 36 inches high; I'm 5'6" and still shrinking... (getting old ! LOL!)... I find it about the right height for my tinkering projects... You can walk completely around the bench with a mechanics vice on one corner and a woodworker's vice on the opposite diagonal corner... love both vices for different reasons... I got the plans from a Readers Digest book many years ago.
I built a similar bench using the same plan, only it is longer and goes up against my workshop basement wall below the pegboard... with a long a/c power bar (12 outlets)... shelf and drawers from an old kitchen cabinet underneath... it does accumulate a lot of junk, but my main bench stays fairly clean, depending on my current projects... and I have two workbenches in my garage ! LOL !
It is my dream to be gunsmithing
Make sure along the edge of your bench have either a small lip sticking up, or a small groove to prevent small parts from rolling or sliding off into the floor. Just a short lip sticking up would work. Or better yet a groove routed into the edge of the bench top...
Good Idea! Thanks for watching.
Great video :-) I need to build this bench. I work on a lot of my own weapons usually at the kitchen table, which obviously is not the optimal situation. Nice to see that you are a fellow USAF vet as well :-)
Thank you for your kind words. I started on the kitchen table long, long ago on a planet far far away. Acquire things as you need them and your selection of tools will grow along with your experience. I'm proud to0 be an AF vet and I'm sure you are too!
@@paulmazan4909 My pleasure Sir :-) Yes Sir, my kitchen table is my office and everything else at a moments notice. Don't always have time to carry a small project outside to a work shop. I have any tool imaginable but could always use more firearms specific tools. Most of my gun tools are geared towards my AR's. I absolutely am, wouldn't trade the experience for anything.
Great !
Thanks for watching.
Not bad as a starter. Semper Fi
Thank you Sir, thanks for watching
Always consider the back angle.
very good video now I know how to use my vise without hurting my gun
Glad this helped. Thanks for watching.
I have actually started designing rifle accessories, in particular for the AK. What area of gunsmithing should I be aware of and study?
OK hammerbutton is selling a 9*19 luger chamber button reamer combo.what should the id of my 9mm barrel be before I start this process
I am unsure of something, if the Inside diameter of my 9mm barrel is 9.5mm would my barrel still fire a 9mm luger cartridge lroperly
Would you please tell me the magnification of your magnify glass-light combo...I've been shopping around some, but asking someone that has one beats all the shopping. I'm looking for one that clamps to bench/table like you have. I would like to see down pistol barrels with it, just something that helps me see generally how clean or dirty the inside is, plus the regular benefits of a magnified lens and light. Ive been using a hand-held and I need that hand back. So thanks in advance if you can get me that info., and if your magnification isn't exactly what you REALLY like, tell me what would be better...thanks again. I also say "generally" because if I wanted to see detail in a barrel, I'd get a bore scope but don't really need one yet for any reason I know of. Thanks.
This is the one he usedwww.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/general-gunsmith-tools/visors-magnifiers/luxo-lamp-kfm-1a-prod7953.aspx
45 Alfa Charlie Papa sure doesn’t look like it. Amazon has one that looks CLOSE for ~$149
I have one similar to the one in the video... made by APCO...1.75x magnification... I purchased it years ago from Micro Mark, but have not seen the same model in quite some time... it has an AC outlet on it that is very handy... they do have this one that is similar, but no outlet...
www.micromark.com/Articulated-LED-Lamp-with-Magnifier
Grainger also has some also... much more reasonably priced than Brownell's !
My bench is gonna have a seated section and a standing section...if all im doing is pulling a press lever for 40 minutes i dont need to stand.
Yeah looking seriously, into being a certified gun Smith. Any ideas on accredited schools for this trade? Thanks fellas, stay safe an always puttem in the center .
I am going to Sonoran Desert Institute currently. Its amazing!
@@SwissCheeseLB I'm actually looking into them right now
I got to have this courts hear that you’re offering I do believe that help that you’re giving me right now is what I’m looking yet I’ve been searching for a good batch I am hello hello hello ashamed to say that your doubts the van I work badge is not the same as mine but Jan everybody has their own no idea where the workbench is and if it’s yours it’s your workbench or if it’s mine it’s my work badge the rules say I do appreciate your time and effort to enlighten us about gunsmithing. Thank you here’s looking at you
Dear sir. I own a WW2 relic. A Japanese Luger that my father brought home. He fought on Iwo Jima and also collected a Samurai sword. The luger is of unknown caliber with an empty clip. I am wondering if a smith can produce ammo for this weapon? Just askin'
A smith should be able to cast the chamber and measure it. Once they know what it is chambered for it depends. If current is not available and if you don't reload you will have to find a licensed specialty ammo maker to make it for you. Thanks for watching.
I cant for the life of me find a bench vice, there are 2 home depos and a lowes and none of them have a heavy duty vice. Im gonna have to eat the cost of shipping a vice to my home.
45 acp ah?
Instagram?
Edit: I subscribed and liked.
Thanks for watching.
Can I ask where in The Country you are based
I'm located in Missouri
I have a query?
Can i talk to gun smith?
I can relay a message to him.
He Dear...
Can you talk to me in your free time? I have some necessary questions as I am going through the stage of building a rifle for my 75-year-old grandfather He is a fan of musket rifles, but unfortunately, this type of rifle is not found in our country, so I decided to make it myself.
And I brought English walnut, wood treatment materials, iron oxidation materials, glaze materials, and everything And I followed several clips on RUclips of the makers of musket rifles (gunsmith vid ) I faced only one problem, is closing the back of the barrel, so I searched the Internet for ways to close the barrel. I found the breech plug method, but I searched more about closing the barrel with a breech plug. Unfortunately, I found many forums warning against this method, and some say 200 shots max And this thing made me feel bad about designing the rifle for my grandfather, so I stopped working
To sum up all of my words - is closing the barrel with a (breech plug) safe and reliable? I am very afraid, please help me, I am very hesitant and I apologize for the long wait and thank you in advance
Matt died from Covid in January of this year.
hello from India. I want to learn gun smithing, is there any way, I can come to USA and learn things from you?
ALPHA......it's God damn ALPHA.🤣🤣🤣🤣
Actually both are correct and if you did a little research you would know this. ALFA is the original spelling for the NATO Phonetic alphabet. The reason for this is that only 2 of the 31 languages this was developed for have the PH making the F sound (English and French) It is used interchangeably in English and French versions but when for other country's like Russia, Spain, and Italy It is spelled ALFA. Kind of like this little Italian car company called Alfa Romeo Thanks for watching.
How much does a gunsmith make??$$??$$