The machines needed for a complete gunsmiths shop ?

[Shrek]

Surface grinder is now definitely on the list. They’re pretty big and dirty so I don’t know where I’m going to put it. I have all the air I’ll ever need. The warehouse is already plumbed with air from my mechanic (works on my tractor) in the building. I also have a compressor for whenever I get to build a shop at the house. I’m expecting some deals to come up as the economy crashes but I’m also reluctant to let go any cash with the economy crashing. I’m actually doing better than I have been due to the virus but I’m sure that won’t last. Currently my work hasn’t fallen off much and the train yard is limiting the people they let in to only the regular crew of truckers. With no extra drivers on heavy volume days we’re cutting bigger pieces of the pie. As the pies start getting smaller with the economy shutting down I’m sure the checks will get thinner

 

[hogpatrol]

Not a machine tool but an index head comes in handy.

 

[Shrek]

Blast cabinet I’m pretty sure I can get for free anytime I want it. I was thinking more about an old wood lathe for out back and a blasting gun for soda/sand/bead blasting.

 

[msalm]

If wanting to start with just building your own rifles I’d get everything you have now set up and start building rifles. You’ll soon figure out what would be nice to have but you have more right now than some very well respected gunsmiths of the past. The mill will work for the drill press with an albrecht drill chuck. I use the surface grinder and a small machinists vise to grind HSS tool bits on occasion along with recoil lugs but I could certainly make do without. Many things are a nice to have vs. really needed. A combo 6x48 belt 12” disk sander gets used quite often and a slack belt grinder for a barrel spinner is useful but only a time saver as you can polish a barrel on the lathe (with better results) if needed.

 

[Shrek]

I’ve been looking for a decent priced universal Kalamazoo 5c indexer. I already have the 5c collets for Hardinge 5c closer I bought so I wouldn’t need to take the rear spider off to use the collets. I missed one by minutes at an estate sale.

 

[hogpatrol]

Strictly optional, for hydrodipping, a dip tank with circulating pump.

 

[gme]

 

[Shrek]

One thing is for sure. If I lived in the northern Illinois or the NE I’d have a ton of tools and equipment for cheap ! I can’t tell you how much stuff was just too far away to go get. Like new mills for under 2k ! Auction after auction full of tools that go for next to nothing ! Of course then I’d live in those places...

 

[Dusty Stevens]

That’s a really nice lathe but it has a 1.25” spindle bore and it’s ridiculously expensive to buy. I don’t see the point of the indicator on the tail end or leaving it while running. That end needs to run out wherever it needs to go to get the bore at the end of the reamer running straight. If he dialed both ends he just bent the barrel into alignment and it’s not running true. But the machine is sweet ! I understand just enough to be a hazard to myself and equipment.

Yea man i wasnt posting that for instructional purposes. You can find plenty of videos way worse than that.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

that guys gonna wear out his indicator in one barrel wonder how much he has invested in that hardinge

If i remember right about $50k

 

[Intheshop]

A few nice things about a 6X48 vert sanders;

Changing the pulleys can up the speed to grind metal.

You can tear cloth belts very easily so,on a 6" wide roller you can run two different grits simultaneously.

You can also build an arm to hold a 3rd/4th wheels to run longer belts.

Look also at belt grinders set up horizontally with wooden "noses".... you swap out different radius nose pieces for special ops. Also look for "tube coping" belt grinders. If you have a welder,mill,and lathe.... making custom belt grinders are 101. Just remember where the "grit" goes... the motors and bearings can take a beating if you don't plan for it,same as your electrical system. Grit gets everywhere on grinders. Keep'm with the welding stations and away from the precision end of the shop. Look for welding curtains,they aren't just for eye and spark protection. They also serve as part of an overall shop,clean airflow environment.

 

[shortgrass]

Auction after auction,,,,,,, just means machine shops are closing their doors. Not a good thing.............

That's a Centroid controller on that Hardinge. "Conversational Programming",,,, but ya' still have to know what you're doing....

 

[ridgeway]

Not a machine tool but an index head comes in handy.

View attachment 1169120

I used one to cut a bunch of squares in stellite last week. They come in handy, but only index every 15°

 

[hoz53]

Thanks for the ideas. I’ve been on the lookout for a New Hemes and the belt sander. Everything has been junk , too expensive , or just missed it. A big American drill press is on the list and I may have one on the line. Guy just needs to decide to let it go and he’ll have to move it to his new shop in a month or so. I’m hoping that’s the reason he needs. Welder isn’t on my list but it is on my friends list (neighbor) so I won’t have to buy that.

youve got some great info here -- Id say for now though concentrate on getting your shop up and running. start doing work with what you have and youll find out what you need or want to improve with your existing machinery. Probably want to get or make some tooling. After that start thinking about more machines. While setting up ur shop put in Air as has been said. Dont be one of those guys thats going to get setup "someday". If you wanna do it "Do It Now"

 

[geo.ulrich]

best advice right there ^^^^^^^

 

[Piglet]

I always wanted a Khyber wyncestr!

 

[Intheshop]

Couple more belt grinder tricks N treats. Buying quality belts(don't do this with cheap ex from china freight),grab a single point diamond dresser and hit a "worn out" belt with it. Does exactly the same thing as dressing wheels,exposing new,sharp edges to the grit. It is diminishing returns meaning,once works great,second time is getting a little ghetto.

But alls not lost when you've finally wore out a belt. Take a spray bottle with 50/50 water and iso alcohol and spritz it on a running belt,use this to "grind" Arkansas stones into custom shapes. Grind inline with the axis,not across....

 

[shortgrass]

Blast cabinet I’m pretty sure I can get for free anytime I want it. I was thinking more about an old wood lathe for out back and a blasting gun for soda/sand/bead blasting.

A blast cabinet for gun work needs to be dedicated to gun work, only! Other wise, you risk contaminating the gun metal with grease/oil/rust or whatever else has been in the cabinet before.

 

[Intheshop]

On air compressor hoses...

Same as above. If your compressor system is "blowing snot"(nasty mayonnaise like funk that comes from compressor head mixed with moisture created because of hot/cold), it WILL contaminate your air hoses. Same happens if you're introducing air tool oil into the hoses.

So either fix the snot problem(this is the correct approach) or use dedicated hoses when you're shooting paint, ceracoat,or whatever.

 

[Shrek]

I’ve got a dryer and pressure regulator set up on my bench already for any painting. Well versed in what oil and moisture will do to your painting.