Just like the title says.

Back when I was a grad student, bored in my lab waiting for various processes to finish, I used the dremel, drill press, scrap metal, and bits of broken .22 rifles I bought from a local gunsmith to make a semiautomatic .22 rifle that fed from Beretta NEOS mags (because they were $5 each from CDNN at the time). It looked awful, but not post-apocalyptic cool. It doubled a couple times when I test fired it, so I destroyed it.

I saw some threads on post-apocalyptic builds, and I was thinking about what I could do with hardware store bits and pieces. I figured something low-pressure, bolt action, and cheap to put together. I was debating between .380 and .32 but I'm leaning toward .32 just because it would work through my .30 Form 1 silencer.

Here's my deal. I want to do this with hand-tools only (dremel, hacksaw, hand drill). And I want to use parts from the local hardware stores (Lowe's, Ace, etc.) or auto parts stores. Once I build it as a pistol, I'll do a Form 1 and then carve a stock from a 2x4.

My plan was to use a steel tube as the body, and the bolt handle (probably a 1/4" bolt) would lock into a groove in the body. That's about all I have planned.

So, for you experienced folks, is it feasible to do this safely? I figured .32 ACP would be low-pressure enough that I wouldn't have to worry much, assuming I find a thick enough pipe or tube for the barrel. Any other thoughts?

it wold be intresting to see, but also that is pretty much exatly the starting gun in fallout 4 http://fallout.wikia.com/wiki/Pipe_rifle_(Fallout_4)

Its hard enough to find 32 ammo pre-apocalypse.

This^

Lots of info Here, not sure if my link will take you there or if you have to create an account.

Weapons Guild; Scrapyard builds and Homebuilt designs.

They do a lot of funky builds, using scrap pieces, melding two guns, ( Think SKS action mated to an FAL Lower), kit builds.

Published plans from successful builds, and a bunch of experienced builders to help you at your finger tips.

Interesting. I may sign up so I can take a look.

My interest is piqued, as a Dremmel tool will be involved...

Just do a .22 and be done with it.

I was wanting something with a little more punch than .22. I've got a lot of .22 guns.

I suppose I could chamber it in .38 special, instead.

I could do that, but I'm not planning on buying a chamber reamer. I was going to find a cheap barrel blank (or used revolver barrel in the correct diameter) and was going to just drill out the straight-walled chamber.

In the video game Fallout 3, it's all over the place.

funny you mention this. I too plan to try a similar build one day, however I do own a lathe and a drill press so I'll have a small advantage. if you don't have a barrel to work with I wouldn't even consider try it especially with your suppressor (why risk a almost certain baffle strike?)

I was going to do a bolt action pistol rather than a rifle as I have a ~ 8" piece of a mosin nagant barrel I lopped off years ago. dependant on bullet stability I also plan to run it through one of my form 1 cans. I reload and cast so it would be for fun cheap plinking. a lb of powder would last a lifetime in that tiny pipsqueak at 1.5-3gr a shot.

if you do it show pics of the build and finished product!

First, use only sound metals, especially for the breech and bolt.
Second, headspace it correctly.  If it doesn't headspace, adjust it.  

I take it since you're using hand tools, there'll be no lathe involved.   I suppose you can use a die to thread the barrel and a tap (and bottoming tap) to do the receiver OR you can simply pin it in place (2 pins).  

David Truby's old book, Improvised Firearms, Vol 1-2, talks about all types of home made stuff under expedient circumstances.