I am going to try to make a rifle out of a mauser action. I've bought lots of books and the AGI video. I'm trying to figure it out.

I don't have any "gunsmithing" tools so whatever you guys would suggest I would appreciate it.

From what I can gather:
Screw drivers -- for guns
Hammer
Punches
Various files (Recommendations?)
Vise
Barrel Vise
Action Wrench
Butane Torch
Mig or Tig welder -- which is better?
Grinder
Dremmel Type tool

I know I'm missing a ton so please help.
Which jigs etc...

I appreciate this forums willingness to help. It's been very informative. Just lurking and readint as well...

Who is that fellow that does his own style of Mauser customizing?

G Wagner? Do a google on Wagner Mauser gunsmithing tools- he has several excellent pages on gunsmithing tools and where to get them and what to use them for...

Mausers are like peanuts, you can't have just one...

If you are planning on putting on the new barrel yourself, it would be real handy to have a lathe. If you buy a short chambered barrel, you can finish ream the barrel yourself by hand (check out this website; wttp://www.reamerrentals.com/chamber_reamers.htm). A Forster or B-Square sight drilling jig for either scope bases or iron sights. Drill press but, if you're very careful, a drill motor. I think that if you are trained in welding, a gas welder is actually better overall.

If you are only going to do this one time, have somebody else do it. If you plan on making a habit (hobby) out of it, plan on spending way more money on tools/tooling than it will ever pay off. If you want to become a gunsmith by trade, go to school or apprentice with a well known (and well thought of) gunsmith.

I have never made a living from gunsmithing but do almost all of my own work. I have invested thousands of dollars in tools and tooling and have never broken even on my guns. Having said that, I have had thousands of hours of pleasure building mine and friends of mine rifles ranging from .17 cal varminters to .450 Ackley DG rifles and everything in between. You'll screw things up and find out the right way and correct the screwups, you'll have fun and a lot of anguish but, if you perservere, you'll derive a great deal of satisfaction from it.

If you will watch those AGI video's they will give you many recommendations for tools and supplies.

One tool that has really been beneficial to me down through the years for both bubbaing and reloading is a good dial caliper. You need to do a lot of measuring when you are wrecking good guns.

In my opinion the best way to see what you need is to buy a cheap old military rifle of some sort and start the process of restoring or sporterizing it.

You will quickly see what you need and what you don’t need for your shop.

Obviously a good bench vice, a good set of screw drivers, and a good set of punches is going to come into play real quickly. Next you’ll probably see a need for some polishing stones and maybe a few metal files. What you need beyond that somewhat depends on what you want to do.

The last things I would worry about getting early on are the Dremel tool and a welder. Both of these can get you in allot of trouble if you’re not careful.

Thanks for everyones help.

I am somewhat of a "hobbyist"... I have fun doing things myself. I am not in it for money. It's kind of like buying baseball cards or something. I will just put the money into tools instead of cards or something.

quote:

Originally posted by SethMcKinney:
Butane Torch
Mig or Tig welder -- which is better?

When you're ready for them:

Oxy/Acetylene outfit
TIG for gun work.

Don't forget a a good set of micrometers and a depth micrometer.

Also, if you can find him, get with someone in your area who's been into this hobby for a while. You can learn a lot from a mentor.

The one thing you're going to find that you'll next have enough of and that you can't buy anywhere is Time to work on projects.

quote:

Also, if you can find him, get with someone in your area who's been into this hobby for a while. You can learn a lot from a mentor.

That's probably the best advice...