Now that you have all of your paintball equipment, do you have the right tools to properly disassemble and reassemble your equipment?  Having the right tools is just important as having the right equipment for the job.  Knowing what to have and how to use it is an essential for keeping your paintball marker(s), as well as your other equipment in tip top shape.

Guns

        No matter what kind of marker you have, you need to have tools for it.  When I goto the field, I very seldom see players using the proper tools to work on their guns.  Whether it be a pair of pliers that they are using to tighten up their hoses, or chewed up allen wretches, using the wrong tool will damage your marker.  Afterall, you just spent all of that money on your gun.  You don't want to scratch, mar, and strip out screws if you can absolutely avoid it.
        Fortunately, most markers don't require too many tools, thus, it should keep the cost down to purchase the proper tools.  Most markers are held together by a few screws here and there, and a few special parts which might require a special tool.

Tools

        I have provided the "necessities" of every player, whether it be at the field, or working at the gun at home.  These should be the essentials of your tool collection, which in most cases, can be stored in a small tool box, gear bag, etc.

        Screwdrivers - You should have at least one medium sized flathead and Philips head screwdriver.  You might want to purchase a smaller set as well if you have alot of small screws (trigger frame, etc.)  I recommend Craftsman or Snap-On because of their durability (not to mention that they both have a lifetime warranty).

        Wrenchs - A medium sized Crecent wrench is ideal for hoses, fittings, etc.  Crecent wrenches can adjust to a wide range of sizes, making it a very useful wrench.  The most common size of a fitting is 7/16.  A box wrench is also very handy, especially if you need to hold one side with the crecent, and remove something with the box wrench.

        Pliers - A small pair of Needlenose pliers is very convient when you need to hold small screws in place while screwing them in, changing o-rings, and grabbing small objects inside of the gun.  A regular pair of pliers is also a good idea, but not always necessary.  Be sure to buy a pair which won't mar what you use it on.

        Allen Keys - are a must!  It is a good idea to buy the set, since they are rather inexpensive.  You usually use these for taking your gun apart, adjusting your velocity, taking your grip panels off, adjusting your timing (on the WGP Autococker).  They are usually available in short and long sizes, as well as with rounded tips (making it easier to remove screws at strange angels).  I recommend buying a short rounded set, and a standard long set.  The most common sizes for the Autococker are:

        - 3/16 for adjusting the velocity.  This is also the same size you would use on Uniregs, Automag regs, and Palmer Stabalizers just to name a few common uses.

        - 1/8 is probably the most common for the screw which hold the gun/trigger assembly together.  This is also, usually the size which is used for the screws (usually button and cone 10/32 screws) which hold your drop fowards, bottom lines, and main timing screw on your hammer.

        - 1/16 is a common set screw, usually on your hammer, cocking rods, etc.  It is also the same size you would use on most 3-way set screws.

        - .050 is for trigger shoes and many other smaller screws.

        Socket wrench - a small socket wrench is always a good idea, especially if you have any Autococker.  For those of you who have always wondered how to take your verticle adapter off of the Autococker, you need a 1/4 12-point socket.  Be sure that you know how to take it off however, before attempting this!  You can bend you 3-way piston and/or actuator rod if you are not careful.

        Specialty Tools - Such as the valve tool for the Autococker.  Essential for completely breaking down the Autococker.  Should be used only if you know what you are doing to prevent loss of parts or damage of gun.

        Oil - I know most of you are asking, what kind of Tool is oil?  Probably one of the most important.  Being that you have many moving parts, seals, etc. in your markers, unless otherwise stated on the instruction manual of your marker, it is a good idea to 4-6 drops of oil into where you put your airsource (if you have regs, be sure to read whether or not it states to use no oil).  Take off your barrel first so that you don't get oil into your barrel (which will have very strange characteristics on your paintballs).
        As far as brand, I suggest K-C, Air Guns designs oil, ACI, etc.  Be sure to check with your local airsmith if you are not sure about which oil is right for you.  Silicons and graphites should not be used, due to possible harmful substances which can come into contact with the paintballs.  For instance, if you should happen to use graphite, and it gets on your paintballs.  If you shoot someone and make direct skin contact, they can get lead poisoning.

        Tapes - You should have Teflon tape as a necessity!  If something should happen to leak (i.e. hose fittings) this is the best solution.  You should also carry a roll of electrical tape.  It comes in handy to hold things in place

        Parts kit for your marker/ Extra O-rings - is a must.  Most parts kits have all o-rings, springs, etc.  You should have extra o-rings as well (for bottles, valves, etc.)  You can pick up most of the common sized o-rings at a hardware store in a 5-pack.

        Removable Locktite - which is blue in color (Loktite 24206).  A drop of this stuff will keep those screws in place.  It is not permanent, so you can always remove or loosen the screws later.

Other Important Items

        Rags - You want to make sure that have plenty of rags or paper towels to wipe your guns and other equipment off with.

        Cleaning solution - A failsafe cleaning solution which I have been using for a number of years is a mixture of 50% water and 50% Isopropyl (Rubbing) Alcohol, put into a spray bottle  The water cleans with the alcohol (which works especially good on paint and oil).  The alcohol helps evaporate the water, to help prevent rusting.  You should always rub a "light" coat of oil on your steel parts which are not stainless to prevent rusting.

        Old "Paintball" plastic bags - make great dirty laundry bags until you can get them washed!

        One foot stick - is great for pushing paper towels through your barrel.

On a Final Note

        You shouldn't rely on others to have the tools you need to work on your marker, etc.  Fields do a pretty good job of providing tools, or at least service to work on your guns when things go wrong.  You should, however, not always depend on the fields being able to provide tools (because they get stolen (please don't take field equipment, you only make prices go up so they can make up the costs), misplaced, etc.).  I always make it a point to help those in need of services (or they just need to borrow my tools), and stress the importance of having the bare necessities.  You paid the money for the gun, you should spend the money to buy the proper tools to work on it.  Otherwise, you might end up paying for it later when you need to replace misc. parts.

Sean Takeda
MPN Columnist