Top Tools Every Gunsmith Should Have

What are the top gunsmithing tools every bench should have? In this Brownells Tech Tip, Caleb walks through the core gunsmithing tools he believes almost every gunsmith should keep on hand, regardless of specialty. Whether you work on pistols, bolt guns, older firearms, or general repair jobs, these are the tools that get used over and over again on a real bench. Caleb covers the value of a quality screwdriver set, why good calipers matter, which punches hold up under real use, and what hammers, bench blocks, files, pliers, and vises actually earn their place in the shop. He also shares practical insight from day-to-day gunsmithing work, including repair experience on obsolete firearms where accurate measuring, careful disassembly, and durable hand tools make all the difference. If you are setting up a gunsmithing bench, upgrading your hand tools, or trying to figure out which tools are worth buying once and keeping for years, this video is a solid place to start. Chapters 00:01 Introduction 00:08 Top gunsmithing tools every bench should have 00:23 Why these tools matter across different gunsmithing niches 00:54 The most important bench tool: a quality screwdriver set 01:17 Why cheap screwdriver sets wear out 02:08 Why Brownells magnet tip bits hold up better 03:05 How broken bits can damage expensive firearms 03:50 Why replaceable bits matter 04:07 Different screwdriver set sizes and handle options 04:48 Why good calipers are often overlooked 05:22 Measuring to the thousandth in gunsmithing 05:45 Why cheap calipers give false readings 06:28 Punch sets and why quality matters 07:02 Why 1/16 inch punches break the most 07:43 Favorite hammers for gunsmithing work 08:28 Brass and Delrin hammer uses 09:38 Rawhide mallet uses on the bench 10:17 Bench blocks and why they matter 10:46 Delrin pistol bench block 11:23 General purpose bench block 11:41 Steel bench block for stubborn pins 12:12 Files and metal removal basics 13:14 Parallel pliers vs standard pliers 14:25 A good gunsmithing vise and why it matters 15:06 Favorite vise jaws for bench work 15:49 Small magnet trick for screws and parts 16:11 Final thoughts on essential gunsmithing tools In this video: Best gunsmithing screwdriver set Why hollow ground bits matter Dial calipers for gunsmithing Punches for firearm disassembly Best hammers for bench work Bench blocks for pistol and general gunsmithing Gunsmithing files Parallel jaw pliers Gunsmithing vise setup Core hand tools for firearm repair Need help setting up your gunsmithing bench? Brownells has the tools, parts, and tech support to help you get the job done right.