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S&W-Smithing Maintenance, Repair, and Enhancement of Smith & Wesson and Other Firearms.


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Old 04-13-2018, 10:55 PM
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Planning on doing some minor smithing projects and need recommrndations for a vise pad and some punches, brass or nylon tip. Thanks in advance.
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Old 04-14-2018, 08:46 AM
WR Moore WR Moore is offline
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Go to the Brownells website. As for the punches, they have pin punches with replaceable tips. Very good idea. They also have a driving punch with replaceable brass or nylon tips. Put on whatever is best for the purpose at hand.
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Old 04-14-2018, 11:18 AM
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When it comes to gunsmithing tools, you can go to the extreme. Buy only what your needs are and for the job. Some tips would be a good punch set. I recommend the Starrett set of punches at Brownells. The punches are well made and one of the best on the market. The punches come with a wood holder and holed for the appropriate punch. The set will last you a long time and is considered one of the best for Gunsmithing. Second, I would find a vise with a smooth jaws size 31/2 x 2 1/8" and opens to 4 3/4" wide. Brownells has one by Woodstock or Harbor Freight has the same one a little cheaper. You can purchase pads for the vise to protect the metal or wood from marring in the vise. If you purchase good quality tools, they will last you a long time. Quality is not always expensive.

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Old 04-14-2018, 11:23 AM
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Don't forget for a gunsmithing hammer, you want a "light" hammer for the majority of the work. I find a 2 Oz. the most used hammer I have. Also, for a majority of pins, they will need a "cup head" punch. A "Smithmaster" or a dog-leg rebound slide tool makes the job easier also. Brownells sells vice pads, but I made my own by gluing a hard rubber sheet on 1/4" wood plates and cut out to fit in my vice, and they have lasted over 20 years and worked fine for my hobby gunsmithing.
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Old 04-14-2018, 11:39 AM
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Originally Posted by jscott View Post
Planning on doing some minor smithing projects and need recommrndations for a vise pad and some punches, brass or nylon tip. Thanks in advance.
Padded vide jaws are easily fashioned from scraps of old thick leather, wood, copper, lead, plastic, etc. Epoxy some to a piece of angle iron and there you go.

Get a SMALL Dead Blow Hammer from Trusty Cook (in the stickies) and get a S&W Forum discount.

Brownell's sells a Punch with interchangeable tips. They have Nylon, Brass and Aluminum that just screw in and out.

Make sure you have some good hollow ground screwdrivers.
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Old 04-14-2018, 02:28 PM
Minorcan Minorcan is offline
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I have Brownells, brass punch set, roll pin punch set, block with holes, and a brass/nylon hammer I think is 3 ounces. I also have a set of their ground round screw drivers.
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Old 04-16-2018, 09:45 PM
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There's a lot of tools you can easily make yourself. A simple tool to ease removal of the rebound slide will take you maybe five minutes to make and will work just as well as anything you can buy. I have a set of cheap pin punches I bought at Harbor Freight for less than $5 and they seem to work fine. If you have a lathe, you can turn your own punches from brass or steel rod, bolt shafts, etc.. I have done that. I've used them for many years. A couple of pieces of aluminum angle make good vise jaw protectors. And you could glue onto them some leather or rubber if you choose. I often wrap parts in leather when I put them in a vise. Generally, unless it's a tool you will be using daily, or at least frequently, no need to get the best quality. Some cities have used tool stores and those can be a treasure trove for a hobbiest. I remember one place in a small West Texas crossroads town which had an amazing number of about any type of used tool you could imagine at near-giveaway prices. I bought several sets of micrometers and calipers there, along with sockets, wrenches, drill bits, hand tools, etc. He carried everything. Don't overlook Harbor freight or Northern Tool if there is one in your area.

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