Here are a few of my projects I have done while in my Basics class at gunsmithing school. Just starting to learn the ropes learning how to use simple hand tools, measuring devices, metal polishing, blueing precesses, and simple wood finishing. Currently I am in Cycle operations class which I will be finishing in two weeks, then it is on to machine shop...

Here are a few tools I made using only files, a drill press, and lots of sanding:
The Model 12wrench is to within .010" of the blueprint. The 1911 wrench is .005" of the blueprint, and the recoil pad fixture is too withing .005" of the blueprint.

Here is a tapping project. Only tools used are files, drill press, and taps. Its within .003" of the blueprint. If you can see, there are two plates in the picture. The top one is mine, and the bottum one is the techers which is drilled. My screws must all go into his to prove that I drilled in the right spot.



I truly hated these last two. The choke tube wrench is to within .002" of the blueprint, and the dovetail is the same.
Same tools used to make these. Scratches you see in the finish is from sitting in my tool box, I assure you they were perfect when I turned them in...

Next was applying what I learned about polishing and blueing to a gun. I have a well used 1970's Remington 1100 that was pitted and the blueing was well worn. I didnt get any before pictures of the gun though...foolish.

Polished to a 400 grit, if you can tell, the top and bottum is beadblasted to give it a matted look:



After blueing:



Here is the pitting and rust on the barrel, I planned on just polishing it out and blueing it, but the pitting was pretty deep, so I ended up beadblasting and blueing it.


Here are a few more pics which include all the metal after polishing and blueing:

That is awesome man! I assume you're going to the Colorado School of Trades? Where you planning on working?

The trigger guards are aluminum and come from the factory anodized. The school doesnt do anodizing, so I had to deal with beadblasting and painting the visable surfaces:


The checkering on the forend was very worn, but the checkering on the stock was OK. Due to Remington using a press checkering I cannot duplicate the same look on the forend, so off the press checkering goes. i plan to rechecker it later in class after I learn how:



You can see here where a sling stud was ripped out, this was repaired:

Here are the finished pics:

Here are some pics of a stock blanks I picked up. Plans are to make this into a fitted sporting stock on my Winchester Super X-1, and make an adjustable rib for it:

Lastly i picked up this little Remington produced Browning A5 20 gauge for a restoration project later in the year. Plans are to refinish the wood and metal, and possibly install choke tubes:

Impressive !! Awesome looking work !!

Sorry, missed your reply in there...

Yes, I am at CST.

Dont know where, but I want to work with shotguns, specializing in doubles. Hunting and sporting guns alike. Also want to do stock making and fitting. I plan to work or apprentice with someone doing this after school, and it just so happens I have a lead on a fine shotgun manufacturer up north; a dream job so to speak...We shall see.

Wow...I got my numbers mixed up on my tolerance on the tools. I had to go back and add a "0".

Great job! That 1100 is beautiful.

x2 very nice. That's great looking wood you have for your stock too. Post up the finished pics on it when you're done.

I plan to take lots of pictures of the stock building process for the Super X-1. Im currently working on designing an adjustable rib to change POI. In the end it is going to be a really cool clay gun.

Here in the next few months I also am starting a big rifle build. I am starting with a Howa 1500 action, rebarreling with a Shilen, then fitting a wood stock and a synthetic stock to it.

I am also either wanting to do a "Tactical" 308 HB build, or a bobtailed 1911 Commander sized pistol. We shall see if I can get the money to do it.

Great work. I wish there was a school like that around here somewhere. I would love to learn how to do some of those things just for personal knowledge.

If I am not mistaken there is one on Oklahoma. Dont know where or what it is called though. Closer than Colorado I suppose.

Another option is going through the at home AGI Gunsmithing courses if you want to just learn the trade for your own use. It will not be at the same level as an actual school, but it will teach you a lot. Then you can also take a machining class if there is one at a local college or trade school on the side.

Great job TDK you have some talent

Great pics. Keep posting pics of future projects.

I guess its time for an update on the Browning. here are some pictures of it finished. the metal was polished to 320 grit and blended with gray and white scotch-brite. I did a slow rust blueing process to blue it. The wood is a hand rubbed tung oil finish.









I will put up some more pics tomorrow of some machine work and a rifle build.

Man as usual great lookiing work !!

How much longer do you have in sckooling or have you alreday gaduated ? Havent noticed any of your posts in a while so cant really remember.

Well hell, just looked through your posts and noticed you been around I just havent come across any of your posts. Sorry bout that. Looks great none the less !!

Very cool work. Looks like you are on your way to success.
I wish you the best.

Good work man, keep it up!! We need more smiths in this world...

Murray State College in Tishomingo, Okla

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murray_State_College

RWH...he is in CO not OK. Not sure name of his school but he has impressed the heck out of me.

Thanks Judd. Like he mentioned I am going to Colorado School of Trades(CST). I will get some pics of some work on the lathe and mill in a bit...