Roy’s Most-Used Tools: Gunsmithing Stones

This video details the essential use of gunsmithing stones for fine finishing of firearm components. The instructor, Roy, emphasizes that while files are useful for bulk material removal, stones are critical for achieving precise, smooth surfaces. He showcases a Boride Engineering gunsmithing kit, highlighting the importance of grit progression from 150 up to 4,000 grit with diamond stones, and the use of oil for lubrication. Roy also advises on maintaining stone integrity by avoiding aggressive misuse and dedicating specific surfaces for different tasks.

Quick Summary

For fine finishing in gunsmithing, stones are essential. Progress through grits from coarse to fine, using oil for lubrication. This reduces scratch marks, creating progressively shinier and smoother surfaces on firearm components like hammers and triggers.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Gunsmithing Tools: Stones
  2. 00:11Files vs. Stones for Metalwork
  3. 00:21Fine Finishing with Sandpaper and Stones
  4. 00:34Boride Engineering Gunsmithing Kit
  5. 00:40Marking Stones for Grit Identification
  6. 00:44Grit Examples: 150 and 400 Grit Stones
  7. 00:53Variety of Stone Grits (220, 240, 600)
  8. 01:02Higher Grit Stones (2,000 Grit Arkansas Stones)
  9. 01:11Flat Diamond Stones (up to 4,000 Grit)
  10. 01:18Achieving Flat Surfaces on Components
  11. 01:25Using Oil with Stones
  12. 01:33Uniform Scratch Marks and Surface Finish
  13. 01:46Shininess and Final Finish
  14. 01:53Cost and Longevity of Gunsmithing Stones
  15. 02:00Avoiding Stone Abuse
  16. 02:11Utilizing All Surfaces of a Stone
  17. 02:22Dedicated Surfaces for Aggressive vs. Finishing Work
  18. 02:30Boride Engineering Stones Recap
  19. 02:36Where to Find Gunsmithing Stones (eBay, Amazon)
  20. 02:40Recommendation for Beginners

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most important tools for fine finishing in gunsmithing?

For fine finishing in gunsmithing, stones are considered more crucial than files. While files remove bulk material, stones are used for precise, final surface refinement to achieve smooth and uniform finishes on firearm components.

How do you achieve a smooth finish on firearm parts using stones?

Achieving a smooth finish involves using stones with progressively finer grits, starting with coarser ones and moving to finer ones. Applying a small amount of oil to the stone and surface lubricates the process and helps remove material, leading to a shinier surface with smaller scratch marks.

What types of gunsmithing stones are recommended?

Recommended stones include those from Boride Engineering, such as their gunsmithing kits with grits up to 600. Hard Arkansas stones can reach around 2,000 grit, and flat diamond stones are available up to 4,000 grit for ultra-fine finishing.

How should gunsmithing stones be maintained?

Gunsmithing stones should be maintained by avoiding abuse, such as using them for heavy grinding. It's also recommended to dedicate specific sides of a stone for different tasks, keeping one side pristine for final finishing and another for more aggressive work.

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