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Posted: 4/7/2024 4:36:21 PM EDT
I've owned several and worked on them - swapped parts and components, but I've never built one from scratch. I decided it's time some of the stripped lowers I've got in a box need to get used. I know what configuration I want, I know who to get parts from, and how I want to accessorize it. What I'm asking for things y'all learned the hard way, so I can possibly avoid doing something dumb. |
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They want you disarmed, because they know they are guilty of things for which they should be shot.
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[Last Edit: M4BlackRifle]
[#1]
Purchase good quality tools. Proper tools, that are not the cheapest you can find, help prevent damage and breakage. Cheap tools (and cheap Rifles) are cheap for a reason.
Obsidian Arms AR-15 complete armorer's 12 piece punch set AR upper receiver vise block Real Avid Master AR bench block MagPul Armorer's wrench Midwest Industries upper receiver rod |
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[#2]
Seconded on tools. Buy roll pin punches. You can make do without them, but...buy roll pin punches.
Triple check spring placement in your trigger group. |
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[#3]
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Can't never could 'til try came along.
"All welchers should be removed from the EE".-Aimless R.I.P. to the EE |
[#4]
With the parts that like to fly, I used a big ass ziploc bag with lower inside. No I know better.
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I survived the cockpocalypse of 11/21/2012.
Bacon grease, the Muslim approved .mil lubricant. |
[#5]
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Tom Sawyer.
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[Last Edit: M4BlackRifle]
[#6]
Obsidian Arms roll pin starter and finish punches are superior to Wheeler tools. 4140 alloy steel, heat-treated and QPQ-Nitride finished. The set comes with a lifetime warranty. If you break a punch, the company will replace it at no charge to you.
They are professional grade tools, made in the USA. |
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[Last Edit: doc_Zox]
[#7]
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"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the boogaloo, whose face is marred by pixels and ink and cheetos.”,
Teddy the Toad, (w,stte), "The Derpmen" |
[Last Edit: BhamAR]
[#8]
Have an oops kit on hand.
I agree with the tools suggestion, but I like the Real Avid AR15 kit more than anything else, though they’re mighty proud of it. Get a 5/16 chucking reamer to ensure that the holes on the gas block and gas tube are drilled correctly, never had trouble since I started doing this. I’m also a fan of dimpling the barrel if it’s not done from the factory. Guarantees perfect gas block alignment. Can just do the one dimple. Use a little Hot-Lock on the set screws & it ain’t ever going anywhere. Geissele gas block install kit/block can be very helpful, especially when coupled with a quick-grip vise. On top of that, make sure you use aeroshell on the buffer tube, not just the barrel nut. Finally, an automatic punch can help with staking the castle nut, if you don’t like doing it with a hammer, even if you just get the initial dent with the automatic punch. |
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[#9]
Originally Posted By M4BlackRifle: Purchase good quality tools. Proper tools, that are not the cheapest you can find, help prevent damage and breakage. Cheap tools (and cheap Rifles) are cheap for a reason. Obsidian Arms AR-15 complete armorer's 12 piece punch set AR upper receiver vise block Real Avid Master AR bench block MagPul Armorer's wrench Midwest Industries upper receiver rod View Quote I have some good tools, since I work on a lot of other things. Punches and such are covered and I have a big bench vise. I have 2 'AR assembly' multi-tools I've acquired over the years, but I don't know who made them now. I got one for swapping buffer tubes or something. What's this? |
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They want you disarmed, because they know they are guilty of things for which they should be shot.
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[#10]
Originally Posted By gearjammer351: I have some good tools, since I work on a lot of other things. Punches and such are covered and I have a big bench vise. I have 2 'AR assembly' multi-tools I've acquired over the years, but I don't know who made them now. I got one for swapping buffer tubes or something. What's this? View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By gearjammer351: Originally Posted By M4BlackRifle: Purchase good quality tools. Proper tools, that are not the cheapest you can find, help prevent damage and breakage. Cheap tools (and cheap Rifles) are cheap for a reason. Obsidian Arms AR-15 complete armorer's 12 piece punch set AR upper receiver vise block Real Avid Master AR bench block MagPul Armorer's wrench Midwest Industries upper receiver rod I have some good tools, since I work on a lot of other things. Punches and such are covered and I have a big bench vise. I have 2 'AR assembly' multi-tools I've acquired over the years, but I don't know who made them now. I got one for swapping buffer tubes or something. What's this? CLICK ME |
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Can't never could 'til try came along.
"All welchers should be removed from the EE".-Aimless R.I.P. to the EE |
[Last Edit: gearjammer351]
[#11]
Originally Posted By TGWLDR: https://www.ar15.com/forums/AR-15/Build-It-Yourself/4/ https://www.ar15.com/forums/ar-15/Assemble_your_own_LOWER__UPPER__FREE_FLOAT__TRIGGER__GAS_BLOCK___Step_by_step_instructions_/4-226782/ https://www.ar15.com/forums/ar-15/-/4-615304/&page=1 View Quote Thank you. I knew threads like this existed, but I hadn't found them yet. Once I get the tools I'm missing and the parts I haven't got yet, I'm going to get on it. I have one upper that needs a lower I can put together to start, and then I'm on to building up an entire, functional (hopefully )rifle from a stripped lower. |
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They want you disarmed, because they know they are guilty of things for which they should be shot.
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[#12]
Originally Posted By TGWLDR: Originally Posted By gearjammer351: Originally Posted By M4BlackRifle: Purchase good quality tools. Proper tools, that are not the cheapest you can find, help prevent damage and breakage. Cheap tools (and cheap Rifles) are cheap for a reason. Obsidian Arms AR-15 complete armorer's 12 piece punch set AR upper receiver vise block Real Avid Master AR bench block MagPul Armorer's wrench Midwest Industries upper receiver rod I have some good tools, since I work on a lot of other things. Punches and such are covered and I have a big bench vise. I have 2 'AR assembly' multi-tools I've acquired over the years, but I don't know who made them now. I got one for swapping buffer tubes or something. What's this? CLICK ME Oh - that does look useful. I was going to get a clamshell thing I saw, but this looks like a much better option. Thanks This is exactly the sort of thing I was hoping for! |
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They want you disarmed, because they know they are guilty of things for which they should be shot.
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[#13]
Originally Posted By gearjammer351: Oh - that does look useful. I was going to get a clamshell thing I saw, but this looks like a much better option. Thanks This is exactly the sort of thing I was hoping for! View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By gearjammer351: Originally Posted By TGWLDR: Originally Posted By gearjammer351: Originally Posted By M4BlackRifle: Purchase good quality tools. Proper tools, that are not the cheapest you can find, help prevent damage and breakage. Cheap tools (and cheap Rifles) are cheap for a reason. Obsidian Arms AR-15 complete armorer's 12 piece punch set AR upper receiver vise block Real Avid Master AR bench block MagPul Armorer's wrench Midwest Industries upper receiver rod I have some good tools, since I work on a lot of other things. Punches and such are covered and I have a big bench vise. I have 2 'AR assembly' multi-tools I've acquired over the years, but I don't know who made them now. I got one for swapping buffer tubes or something. What's this? CLICK ME Oh - that does look useful. I was going to get a clamshell thing I saw, but this looks like a much better option. Thanks This is exactly the sort of thing I was hoping for! I've pieced together/tore down many guns with a clamshell block, don't underestimate their usefulness. |
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Can't never could 'til try came along.
"All welchers should be removed from the EE".-Aimless R.I.P. to the EE |
[#14]
Originally Posted By tortilla-flats: www.amazon.com/dp/B01B3NWDIE View Quote I have that set. It has successfully assembled more than a dozen rifles thus far. I think the only AR tool that I don't have is an action rod. I've never had any issues installing or removing a barrel. OP: Go slow, don't force anything, and think about the order you do things in. A little lube in the proper areas can help as well. |
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Wanted: Bikini cover for old school Trijicon 1x24 Reflex sight. IM please.
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[#16]
Great advice here, but the most important thing is to have fun doing it!
It shouldn’t be a stressful exercise, just remember that if you might change your mind about something later, you can always alter the build…that’s the beauty of the platform! |
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Left-handed and right-minded!
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