Hello

[Josh Smith]

Hello,

I don't see an "introductions" forum, so I'm posting here.

My name is Josh. I'm a gunsmith of sorts. In the past I was trained as an auto tech.

I found this forum while researching SK Tool quality. I've always enjoyed Craftsman, but in the last 10+ years they've gone downhill, and I need to replace some ratchets and sockets.

Regards,
Josh

 

[doublearon98]

I don't know I've you've kept up with craftsman news lately but they were acquired by stanley black and decker a little over a year or so ago. After their acquisition they promised to bring craftsman back to the US. They announced a few days ago that they would be releasing 1200 new tools August 15-17.

In regards to sk they are supposed to be good

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[gayler]

I've always liked the few SK tools I have. I hope craftsman quality comes back.

 

[HOTFR8]

Welcome. Moved your topic to the correct location.

 

[1320stang]

Welcome Josh. My son (to be a HS Senior next year) is hoping to become a gunsmith. I asked him this past year what he wanted to do after high school. He's really sharp, socially awkward and has ADHD. He's smart, but hates high school in reality, it bores him, so his grades aren't up. He just got his Eagle last year in Scouts and loves it when we do shooting campouts. I asked him, with your interest in guns, have you thought about becoming a gunsmith? He was like, "what's that?". This year he'll be taking Precision Machining at the Vo-Tech and after he graduates, if he doesn't get accepted into the program at Murray State, he can take a second year of course at the Vo-Tech for free. He could also go to our local college in town to knock out the math and English requirements at Murray State. Someone else suggested, hey, why not get a machinist's job and gunsmith in the evening. You'll likely get a 401k and insurance. If your a great gunsmith with high demand, you could eventually go full time.

Unknowingly this was possibly his future, I picked up early last year a WWII era 9x42 South Bend bench lathe. I'll be looking to upgrade in the future. I'm kicking myself because a month ago I came across a lathe and mill that had been used by a guy who repaired record players. The mill looked to be tool room sized, 13" I think and the mill had an X-feed as well as a DRO. Both were 120v and the pair was $2400.

 

[gtabasso]

Welcome Josh. My son (to be a HS Senior next year) is hoping to become a gunsmith. I asked him this past year what he wanted to do after high school. He's really sharp, socially awkward and has ADHD. He's smart, but hates high school in reality, it bores him, so his grades aren't up. He just got his Eagle last year in Scouts and loves it when we do shooting campouts. I asked him, with your interest in guns, have you thought about becoming a gunsmith? He was like, "what's that?". This year he'll be taking Precision Machining at the Vo-Tech and after he graduates, if he doesn't get accepted into the program at Murray State, he can take a second year of course at the Vo-Tech for free. He could also go to our local college in town to knock out the math and English requirements at Murray State. Someone else suggested, hey, why not get a machinist's job and gunsmith in the evening. You'll likely get a 401k and insurance. If your a great gunsmith with high demand, you could eventually go full time.

Unknowingly this was possibly his future, I picked up early last year a WWII era 9x42 South Bend bench lathe. I'll be looking to upgrade in the future. I'm kicking myself because a month ago I came across a lathe and mill that had been used by a guy who repaired record players. The mill looked to be tool room sized, 13" I think and the mill had an X-feed as well as a DRO. Both were 120v and the pair was $2400.

Is it possible to make a living as a gunsmith full time? I have a friend who does it on the side of his day job.