Recommended reading
- Thread starter RERICK
- Start date
Geoff Timm
New member
Check out Publications at Brownells. Read all.
Take machinist classes at the local training center. Learn to weld well.
If you have time for a hobby. You have my admiration.
Geoff
Who has a career careening out of control. sigh. But, at least I'm dedicated.
Take machinist classes at the local training center. Learn to weld well.
If you have time for a hobby. You have my admiration.
Geoff
Who has a career careening out of control. sigh. But, at least I'm dedicated.
Harry Bonar
New member
reading
Sir:
The most important, in my mind, are the books about the early rifle builders. Muzzle-loaders! It will teach discipline, and single-mindedness and attention to detail. We live in a society of "get it now." guns aren't built that way.
Another overview is, "The Modern Gunsmith" by Howe - The muzzle-loading cap lock rifle, The Kentucky Rifle, gunsmithing by Dunlap, the "classics."
There are people in the business today WITHOUT this spirit and philosophy!
Many, today, want money! Gunsmithing isn't about money - most good gunsmiths die poor - even some of the best!
I approve your interest, yet, I'm past 70 and I STILL LEARN! That's what gunsmithing is - the first smiths had no manual or teacher - they used their minds and developments which we take for granted today were learned by dedicated men long ago.
But it will be a favorite pastime of mine till I depart this life, "just around the bend of the river."
God bless your desire.
Harry B.
Sir:
The most important, in my mind, are the books about the early rifle builders. Muzzle-loaders! It will teach discipline, and single-mindedness and attention to detail. We live in a society of "get it now." guns aren't built that way.
Another overview is, "The Modern Gunsmith" by Howe - The muzzle-loading cap lock rifle, The Kentucky Rifle, gunsmithing by Dunlap, the "classics."
There are people in the business today WITHOUT this spirit and philosophy!
Many, today, want money! Gunsmithing isn't about money - most good gunsmiths die poor - even some of the best!
I approve your interest, yet, I'm past 70 and I STILL LEARN! That's what gunsmithing is - the first smiths had no manual or teacher - they used their minds and developments which we take for granted today were learned by dedicated men long ago.
But it will be a favorite pastime of mine till I depart this life, "just around the bend of the river."
God bless your desire.
Harry B.
Aint it the truth
It seems like every time I try to get someone to do any type of work these days I run into the same thing.The old saying holds true .If you want it done right you have to do it yourself.I learn new things all the time,mostly for just that reason.
Geoff,I'll be living in the Sunshine state soon enough now that I'm retired.I can't wait.Hobby's? That dam job kept getting in the way of my fun LOL
It seems like every time I try to get someone to do any type of work these days I run into the same thing.The old saying holds true .If you want it done right you have to do it yourself.I learn new things all the time,mostly for just that reason.
Geoff,I'll be living in the Sunshine state soon enough now that I'm retired.I can't wait.Hobby's? That dam job kept getting in the way of my fun LOL
Be prepared to spend a bunch of money on books. Most smithies spend a great deal of time reading. Start with Hatcher's Notebook. It covers a lot of basic firearm knowledge. Then The NRA Gunsmithing Guide(s). Get as many of the firearm disassembly/assembly books as you can find. There's a bunch of them covering different friearms and types of firearm. Stoeger, I think.
Gun shows are usually good places to find books, but don't discount your local library. Up here, they carry most of the assorted 'Annuals' of the Shooter's Bible, etc. Lots of reprints of old articles.
Gun shows are usually good places to find books, but don't discount your local library. Up here, they carry most of the assorted 'Annuals' of the Shooter's Bible, etc. Lots of reprints of old articles.
more than reading
As a professional gunsmith it takes more than reading. You have to be a machinist, a cabinet maker, a welder, and more. I've been to 2 yrs. of gunsmithing school,bought a lathe, mill, surface grinders,+around $40,000. of other tooling. I had my own shop on the main drag for 5 yrs..I gave it up because, good or not, people dont think that a smith should have change in his pocket....But it gets in your blood and you never give up! I think if your going to start you might think about specializing in one area. I found the metalsmithing of rifles to be what i enjoy doing, getting set up to go at it again.Smiths need to put there heart and soul in what they do, and they should make some cash ,after all i know of no one who told there boss forget my raise, i'm making enough as it is?
As a professional gunsmith it takes more than reading. You have to be a machinist, a cabinet maker, a welder, and more. I've been to 2 yrs. of gunsmithing school,bought a lathe, mill, surface grinders,+around $40,000. of other tooling. I had my own shop on the main drag for 5 yrs..I gave it up because, good or not, people dont think that a smith should have change in his pocket....But it gets in your blood and you never give up! I think if your going to start you might think about specializing in one area. I found the metalsmithing of rifles to be what i enjoy doing, getting set up to go at it again.Smiths need to put there heart and soul in what they do, and they should make some cash ,after all i know of no one who told there boss forget my raise, i'm making enough as it is?
"...people dont think that a smith should have change in his pocket..." I've always found it amazing that people won't hesitate to fork over a pile of money to a vehicle mechanic, but think a smithy should work for peanuts.
Reminds me of a story I heard long ago about a guy taking his shootzenbanger to a smithy for some work. Smithy looks at it, picks up a screwdriver and turns one screw a 1/4 turn. Hands it back to the guy and asks for $20. The guy goes nuts demanding to know why the job is worth $20 when all the smithy did was turn one screw. The smithy smiles and says, "I knew which screw."
Reminds me of a story I heard long ago about a guy taking his shootzenbanger to a smithy for some work. Smithy looks at it, picks up a screwdriver and turns one screw a 1/4 turn. Hands it back to the guy and asks for $20. The guy goes nuts demanding to know why the job is worth $20 when all the smithy did was turn one screw. The smithy smiles and says, "I knew which screw."
I think you misinterpret what I am doing.I don't want to go into the gun smithing business,I just want to do small jobs on things that I own. A man has to know his limitations.I think it is important have a good working knowledge of how things work.Also you should know what is involved in doing a job so if you give your weapon to someone to work on you at least have an idea that he knows what he's talking about.