Tool Tuning
What could be more important to a gunsmith than his tools? Here’s how to maximize their use and service life.
Topic
Machining
Electropolishing & Fire Lapping
Making myself extremely unpopular with gun barrel manufacturers.
Lathe Taper Fixture
James W. McIntyre is the owner of the McIntyre Gun Shop in Duncansville, Pennsylvania and has an extensive background as an expert gunsmith and machinist. He offers the following drawings to make a taper fixture for your lathe. McIntyre’s design will let…
Firearms: An Illustrated History
Published in conjunction with the Smithsonian Institution, Firearms: An Illustrated History (DK Publishing, http://bit.ly/1tc Bx Dz) charts the evolution of the gun for civilian and military use, from the pistol and rifle, to the machine gun and artillery, from the development of…
The Right Tools Are Not Enough
Why gunsmiths need to regularly calibrate their measurement tools.
Precision Barrel Fitting, Part Seven
In this part we’ll dive deeper into possible problems faced in chambering and how to avoid them.
Reshaping Too Large Cheek Pieces
How to create a better looking rifle stock, whether it is a two piece or standard.
AR-15 Upper Quick Fixes: Match Bolt Carriers
Are match bolt carriers just another expensive trinket or something that really improves accuracy?
More From Bill’s Bench
Tips from Gunsmith William L. Henwood, Quincy CA 95971, Holding Tapered Parts Tired of having tapered parts, such as barrels, squirting out of your machine or bench vise? These jaw liners will tightly grip parts with a tapering profile for their full…
New Books
Charles J. Moore, owner of The Appalachian Rifle Shop, manufactures custom, large-bore muzzleloader barrels. He found that few of his customers really understood the process that goes into the machining operations required to create a rifle barrel. To address this he compiled…
The AMT Back Up Returns… On Steroids
With some improvements already made and more to come, its newest in a long line of makers is no stranger to maintaining quality.
The Relationship Of Barrel Extension Diameter To Accuracy In The AR-15, Part 2
Further quantifying the accuracy gains from the proper fitting of the barrel extension to the receiver, rebarreling and the new custom BAT Machine oversize extensions.
The Relationship Of Barrel Extension Diameter To Accuracy In The AR-15, Part 1
Slop in fitting the barrel extension to the upper receiver can rob your rifle of its potential accuracy.
Silver Soldering
Silver soldering is useful for fabrication, repair and modification of small parts. Here is a collection of selected tricks and tips especially applicable for gun parts.
Machined Stocks In Classic Custom Rifles, Part 2
Finishing up a machined stock into a custom, classic style.
Machined Stocks In Classic Custom Rifles, Part 1
Even starting with a pre-shaped stock leaves plenty of room for artistry in a custom rifle project.
Rifle Accuracy Problems And Their Solutions
Manufacturing and materials have improved greatly over the years but nothing is perfect. Here’s how to deal with fl aws found in your customer’s rifles.
A Mixed Bag
Craig Constantine, Supervising Producer for Discovery Studios, is a producer working on a potential new series for the Discovery Channel that will show one-on-one competitions with machine teams building a variety devices. The show will document the building of the machines against…
Making A Single Shot Rifle Pattern, Part 2
The pleasing, classic lines of the Remington Rolling Block No. 2 are worth a hand-built stock. We complete the project in this fi nal segment.
Mystery Martini
It looks like a Martini rifl e. But is it?
Inletting The Flobert Rifle
Inletting The Flobert Ri le The Flobert design is not like any conventional action. Inletting it proved to be a interesting challenge.
Timney Trigger Installation on the Savage M112
A Model 631 Timney allows a safe pull weight from 1 ¼ - 4 pounds along with adjustment for sear engagement (creep) and over travel.
Shop Work: Hammers and Triggers and Sears, Oh My!
It’s great to have machines but most of the top pros depend on hand tools in performing their precision custom work.
Working the Winchester Model 1897 Slide-Action Shotgun
More than 100 years after its introduction, the Model 1897 dominates today on the cowboy-action courses as it once did in the fields and trenches.