Most Overlooked Gunbuilding Tools

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

I use one for checking the contours at the wrist, and the bottom of the lower forend.  But I use it while I'm shaping, not just before I apply finish.  It's just to get the contours close.

[Habu]

I got caught on the lower forend, the mouldings didn't quite look the same so I had to check at the last minute.  Learned a couple lessons that time.

[aflo]

I use one for checking the contours at the wrist, and the bottom of the lower forend.  But I use it while I'm shaping, not just before I apply finish.  It's just to get the contours close.

At that point in the process, scratching is not an issue. The plastic devices are not very accurate compared to the metal ones.

[rsells]

I agree with Dannybb55 and smokinbuck.  I have a comfortable chair that is across the room from my bench that I relax in before starting the next job on the build (I break my work down into job segments).  Also, I have a good friend in VA that I call and bounce things off  him when I have a mind block on what to do about some part of a build.
                                                             Roger Sells

[Curtis]

The Brain.   

Curtis

[SuperCracker]

Hand vise that can be clamped in the bench vise.

[WadePatton]

A thread worth reviving. 

AS to lighting-I quickly discovered that I didn't install enough lights in my shop.  BUT i've always hated flourescent tubes.  Always.

THEN I found these 42/43-watt CFL's that really put out some light.  I use two of them in a Y-socket, colors 2700k and 6500k (mid shop (near angle).  Plus another 42-watt 6500k(far angle) and 3 more 26-watt 2700k's right over the bench.  It's like daylight in there nearly.  the 40+ watters go for about 14 bucks each and really changed my preceptions of CFL's.  I like being able to mix match the colors 6500k is too blue, 2700k is too yellow 

Farrier's rasp surprised me as I'd not recalled reading of them. 

but i'm just a rank beginner.

[Jerry V Lape]

Scraper 5/8"x2 1/2"x 3/32".  Use it all the time in cleaning up inlets, final finish on wood.  It is easy to control one handed and gets in smallest places. 

[mjm46@bellsouth.net]

A Computer a copy of Photoshop and a scanner for reproducing and scaling images of rifles and parts.

[Dan Fruth]

George Shumway's great books, giving critical dimentions and all those clear black and white photos...Thanks George and Dorothy!