Looking For Input-what do you want/need

[nikonrhino]

I Have a favor to ask(i know i an new and all but hear me out). I work at a local tool store. I am working to get a Gunsmith/stuff section going and would love some feedback before i go to the CEO with this idea. i know there are a ton of tools needed for gunsmithing and general and even more that are designed for a single gun/purpose. what i am looking to do is to get a good BASIC list of tools that you use on an "every day" basis like punches hammers blocks files sanding stones things like that. i am a new guy to this part of the sport so i don't know every tool. I know there is a lack of places to get the RIGHT tool for the job so i want to get a local outlet going. any help will be greatly appreciated and passably rewarded if my boss buys in to the deal. (posted in general descution as well sorry for dubble post but was told this is the place for this question)

[BPTactical]

Unless your boss has a bunch of cash he wishes to tie up in inventory for items that are an occasional sale I would not bother.
As you mentioned so many of the items are: 1- brand specific 2- model specific 3-operation specific.
Gunsmithing tools are highly specialized and you need to know what you are doing as an unqualified person attempting repairs that they have no technical knowledge of is a recipe for disaster.
What kind of a liability do you open up as well?
Example- Joe Blow has a SW revolver that he thinks is out of time. Not knowing the timing sequence he wrongly purchases a crane alignment tool(cylinder won't rotate and index correctly-must be out of alignment right?) Now JB goes about tweaking a cylinder crane and FUBAR's the alignment. He takes the revolver to the range and it shaves lead, striking a bystander. Now the lawsuit train starts.
Guess what-your on the tracks!
Or you sell a 1911 sear jig to Bubba and he overcuts a sear, causing the pistol to dump the mag on the first pull of the trigger.
Most credible 'Smiths make much of their tooling as well.

You would be wise to keep it to items that will sell. Quality screwdrivers, punches and cleaning supplies.

[nikonrhino]

.
What kind of a liability do you open up as well?
Example- Joe Blow has a SW revolver that he thinks is out of time. Not knowing the timing sequence he wrongly purchases a crane alignment tool(cylinder won't rotate and index correctly-must be out of alignment right?) Now JB goes about tweaking a cylinder crane and FUBAR's the alignment. He takes the revolver to the range and it shaves lead, striking a bystander. Now the lawsuit train starts.
Guess what-your on the tracks!
Or you sell a 1911 sear jig to Bubba and he overcuts a sear, causing the pistol to dump the mag on the first pull of the trigger.

not trying to start an argument here... the way you are putting it tho is i sell john a table saw.... he goes home and starts working away... and there goes the fingers right in to the blade.... i am at no liablity for selling him the saw... or the hammer he used to crack open his 1911... i am not doing any work on his gun... that is for him to take the falt for doing a hack job.... if john wanted to work on a gun... brownells will ship it to him in a week or so... i just wanted a place that is close and local.

Thank you for the input tho! mostly thinking like soft jaws for vice, or soft faced hammers things that are used alot; not a spting set for a 1911 or sear angle guide per-say.

[Great-Kazoo]

while commendable on your part to put in a gun friendly tool section. Unless you do heavy advertising and have the specific tool in stock when someone "NEEDS IT NOW" they will more than likely sit there. the hardware store is a last shot in the dark, hoping something there will work to get what i have back together or apart.
as mentioned most tools or the ones that are used on AK's, FN's and other semi military version guns are WESCOG items (wiley coyote school of gunsmithing)
YMMV

[BPTactical]

not trying to start an argument here... the way you are putting it tho is i sell john a table saw.... he goes home and starts working away... and there goes the fingers right in to the blade.... i am at no liablity for selling him the saw... or the hammer he used to crack open his 1911... i am not doing any work on his gun... that is for him to take the falt for doing a hack job.... if john wanted to work on a gun... brownells will ship it to him in a week or so... i just wanted a place that is close and local.

Thank you for the input tho! mostly thinking like soft jaws for vice, or soft faced hammers things that are used alot; not a spting set for a 1911 or sear angle guide per-say.

Not trying to perpetuate an argument but the product liability concerning firearms is in a different world than common product liability.
Jarrod Laughtner was the one who pulled the trigger on Gabby Giffords but now hi-cap mags and semi autos are back under the microscope.
Firearms business is a far cry from Tru-Value hardware.
But stocking some decent screwdrivers and such you should be ok.

[nikonrhino]

Not trying to perpetuate an argument but the product liability concerning firearms is in a different world than common product liability.

I see what you are saying... but by that matter then the car he drove to get to the store to by the gun and that took him to the place he did his crimes should be under fire.(this is more narrative on the u.s.a. lets sue for this and that "it was not my fault they made me pull the trigger and shoot my foot off" ) I Find something wrong with this.

[SAnd]

Look at stuff that isn't exclusive to guns.

Good pin punches. And other punches.

A big assortment of straight slot screwdriver bits.

Small screws in unusual diameters and pitches. And the taps and dies to go with them.

Clamping fixtures and devices to hold small or unusually shaped parts.

Cleaning supplies like small tube brushes, 1/4 inch and up, in metal and synthetic fibers, stiff and soft. Other styles of brushes too.

Good ultrasonic cleaners and stuff for them.

Finishes for metal. Cold bluing, black oxide, and parkerizing kits. Stuff for polishing metal.

You will be competing with the internet so you want stuff that people will need right now or something they want to see and fondle.

There are people involve in RC modeling that would use some of the same tools and supply's that gun people use. There are hobby machinists making miniature machines and motors also. You might check at places like Colpar Hobbies for information about them.

Good Luck.

[nikonrhino]

Look at stuff that isn't exclusive to guns.

Good pin punches. And other punches.

A big assortment of straight slot screwdriver bits.

Small screws in unusual diameters and pitches. And the taps and dies to go with them.

Clamping fixtures and devices to hold small or unusually shaped parts.

Cleaning supplies like small tube brushes, 1/4 inch and up, in metal and synthetic fibers, stiff and soft. Other styles of brushes too.

Good ultrasonic cleaners and stuff for them.

Finishes for metal. Cold bluing, black oxide, and parkerizing kits. Stuff for polishing metal.

You will be competing with the internet so you want stuff that people will need right now or something they want to see and fondle.

There are people involve in RC modeling that would use some of the same tools and supply's that gun people use. There are hobby machinists making miniature machines and motors also. You might check at places like Colpar Hobbies for information about them.

Good Luck.

These are great ideas!! thank you!!