A Conversation About Tools

[Cdn_Cuda]

I want to know what tools you use to work on paintball guns.

I know the basics such as picks, valve tools, Allan keys but what about more specific gear like air tank valve removal tools, barrel mufflers etc.

What tools are you using? What tools did you buy and never use?

I’m looking at grabbing a tank valve removal tool and maybe a muffler as my workshop is beside my tenant’s bedroom.

[Toestr]

If you're ok with taking the fittings off the tank off before you remove the reg, you can try this:

https://youtu.be/eX2KrUP46v0

You can also put a piece of hose cut in half if you don't have a bit/hole saw that's the right size.

For a muffler maybe just use a barrel swab or stuff a crappy old barrel with cloth.

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[Cunha]

My favorite tools are a bench vice (bigger the better), a hack saw, and a file.

For everything else its just allen wrenches and its nice to have a correct wrench for norgen and cammozi macro fittings in the tool bag, and some pliars just in case you wanna see the world burn or need to pull something small out of a hole.

[Cdn_Cuda]

Bought a sent of smaller pliers recent for various destructive work. Need to grab an Xacto knife for removing houses off barbs

[Seajay]

Depends on what you are working on. %98 of stuff you just need allen wrenches and something to grip with.

My tools...
Wood dowels, a plastic/rubber head hammer, and correctly fitting wrenches.
Chrome allen wrenches are my main tools. I find they are gentler than the black coated ones.
I try not to use vice grips
Vice.
Fire, something to kill off our friend Loctite
O-ring pickers

I was looking at tank valve tools, I'll probably just make something for the vice out of wood though.
I don't have a cocker valve tool yet...

A bucket with a thick towel works very well as a muffler/ballcatcher

[Cdn_Cuda]

I use a towel to muffle, but generally work when kids are asleep and right by tenant’s room. Mostly Tippmanns and cocker and Spyder clones. Thinking a muffler and a sweatshirt/towel would work best. Wake kids = angry wife = sleeping outside.

I do have a bench mounted vice, wrenches etc. I bought a nice set of ball-ended Allan keys as well.

wWood dowels are a good call. Have a few well abused wooden squeegees for that. A soft faced hammer/mallet is likely a good purchase as well.

[autococker04]

I’ve had pretty good results sticking the barrel in a towel lined pod and covering the feedneck

Also, squeegee in barrel, pressed against a wall so it won’t shoot out.

[Cdn_Cuda]

I like the pod idea. Have a box full of them kicking around. I’ll try that!

[Jordan]

Strap wrenches are great for pulling stubborn components apart without scratches.

I think the best thing I've bought was a drill press... I use it for everything, it seems.

[Cdn_Cuda]

Actually have a drill press and if I ever get around figuring it out I have a lathe. Just need to take the plunge and start using them and modifying bodies.

[Jonnydread]

Ball-end hex keys are essential for paintball.

[Jordan]

I have a set, just can't find 'em. They WERE nice when I used them.

[Hellion360]

Vice with rubber grips
Thin wrenches for pneumatics
Precision sockets for barbs
Polishing wheel
Reg tester

These get a ton of use for me

[Trbo323]

I have a few odd balls for you

1) cp reg removal tool. It's like $40 and works with the majority of regs out there

2) I made my own muffler, you need a barrel you don't care about, 2 sizes of PVC, one to fit tightly over the barrel and another to fit over that PVC with some space in between. Drill multiple small holes in each PVC. Fit the small one over the barrel electrical tape to barrel and cover any exposed porting that the PVC does not cover. Plug the end of PVC with tape. Slide larger PVC over smaller, put rags, preferably cotton in between the two PVC. Seal both ends with more electrical tape and bam, one muffler

3) soft jaw vice grips are good for getting stuck regulators apart

PSI Woodworking PKDISGRIP Soft-Grip Pliers Pen Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DKXVVQX...ing=UTF8&psc=1

These are not the best, some big regulators don't fit. What do you guys use when you need to get round objects to turn?

4) I specifically use bondhaus Allen wrenches, they hold up really well over time

5) jewelers screw drivers are useful for all kinds of things

Cigar cutter for macro. Works amazing

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[flyweightnate]

A hex standoff stuffed in a socket on an extension is a really good cocker valve tool, in a pinch. I think I drilled the threads out of it first, for extra clearance.

A clamping crescent wrench is great. Like a flat-jaw vise grip.

Magnetic trays. In my experience, the magnet is mostly to keep myself from knocking it over.

Vibratite. A great, gooey thread sealant and locker.

[Trbo323]

have a correct wrench for norgen and cammozi macro fittings in the tool bag.

What size are these?

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[XEMON]

Don't underestimate a nice work area, a nice flat table with a towel on top can do the trick, but some nice bins are my favorite ...

[Cdn_Cuda]

I’ve got a nice work bench and have two tech mats. My problem is I get too excited when I get a gun in that I don’t clear my last project out of the way before starting a new one. I should get some small containers for projects to live in to make more space

[XEMON]

Same here ... My shrink calls it ADD :P
I have lots of small bins, custom shelving under the bench, and an entire piece of furniture my wife got me for Paintball parts/project ...
I still manage to have bags all over the floor and stuffed under the bench and desk ...

[Trbo323]

Reg tester

An old on/off bleed ASA and a 0-1500 psi gauge with a large face makes a great tester

Ball-end hex keys are essential for paintball.

I've actually avoided ball end. In my experience the balls just break off over time

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[Jonnydread]

I reckon you’re using shitty ones. I’ve had the same set for years and that’s never happened to me, worst I’ve experienced is some bending on the thinner ones.

[Seajay]

I think so too. I've got a ball end set from Planet Eclipse and they are very nice, I actually enjoy using them.

[Euphie]

I have a set of long Allen wrenches in addition to the normal ones and I am surprised how often the long ones help. Aside from common tools I find myself using punches, taps, dies, strap wrenches, and files.

I use the punches on trigger pins, if the pins are too worn out I will use the tap set to create threads for a set screw to hold the pin in.

I don’t have a mill or lathe so right now if I need to make a part I have to use a dremel to rough out the shape then use a file to slowly create the specific dimensions I need. It is super time consuming and while it works okay for milling it really sucks for stuff I would do on a lathe.

The rubber strap wrench is a godsend to remove stubborn regulators and such.

I really wish I had a lathe, and some way to create new seals