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Posted: 12/14/2009 6:19:44 AM EDT
| In everyone's experience in putting together their AR15's, what is a nice toolkit for people to purchase that will be building a few AR's? Something that would last a long time? This is for AR15's of course, and perhaps a future AR10. |
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The first thing you will need for assembly is a good Action Block Set . For only $45 this kit comes with the UPPER receiver block and the lower block. You will use both during your build. The lower is optional, but it very handy later when cleaning your rifle. The UPPER block is absolutely essential for barrel installation and torquing.
The best barrel wrench is found here.... Barrel Wrench It is only $17 and it is bullet proof. You can spend ALOT more money on "multi-tools" but they will leave you lacking in the barrel wrench department. This wrench also has the fittings to install your flash hider and extension tube. Then a nice set of .....Punch Pins for $15. You can use these for several things like staking castle nuts, installing your lower parts kit and so on. There are a few other tools that come in handy like a castle nut wrench, but I haven't found them to be essential. You can use your punch set to install and stake the castle nut. |
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Quoted:
The first thing you will need for assembly is a good Action Block Set . For only $45 this kit comes with the UPPER receiver block and the lower block. You will use both during your build. The lower is optional, but it very handy later when cleaning your rifle. The UPPER block is absolutely essential for barrel installation and torquing. The best barrel wrench is found here.... Barrel Wrench It is only $17 and it is bullet proof. You can spend ALOT more money on "multi-tools" but they will leave you lacking in the barrel wrench department. This wrench also has the fittings to install your flash hider and extension tube. Then a nice set of .....Punch Pins for $15. You can use these for several things like staking castle nuts, installing your lower parts kit and so on. There are a few other tools that come in handy like a castle nut wrench, but I haven't found them to be essential. You can use your punch set to install and stake the castle nut. Overton, what is your opinion of this one also: http://www.specializedarmament.com/products/ARMORER_TOOL_KIT_COLT_ARMORER_COURSE_COMPLETE-17-12.html |
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The first thing you will need for assembly is a good Action Block Set . For only $45 this kit comes with the UPPER receiver block and the lower block. You will use both during your build. The lower is optional, but it very handy later when cleaning your rifle. The UPPER block is absolutely essential for barrel installation and torquing. The best barrel wrench is found here.... Barrel Wrench It is only $17 and it is bullet proof. You can spend ALOT more money on "multi-tools" but they will leave you lacking in the barrel wrench department. This wrench also has the fittings to install your flash hider and extension tube. Then a nice set of .....Punch Pins for $15. You can use these for several things like staking castle nuts, installing your lower parts kit and so on. There are a few other tools that come in handy like a castle nut wrench, but I haven't found them to be essential. You can use your punch set to install and stake the castle nut. Overton, what is your opinion of this one also: http://www.specializedarmament.com/products/ARMORER_TOOL_KIT_COLT_ARMORER_COURSE_COMPLETE-17-12.html Too much for nothing. I put my lowers together with one 19.99$ punch set, a 5$ hammer from home depot, and a flat head screwdriver. I dont even have a vise grip or any armorer blocks... |
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I bought this set off of ebay:
Link I bought it using bing cashback when it was 20% so I got it all for $60 after shipping. Even without the discount its still a decent price for everything you need. |
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I have used everything here at some time or another working on AR’s.
I would consider the first list as a starter set. I would not call the second list items necessary, but they make life a whole lot easier. This is by no means a complete list, also I did this off the top of my head so I may have left something basic out. For ideas look at the military TM’s and there should be a number of other books available. Also look at the tool kits on Midway, Brownell’s, etc. List #1 Headspace gage set. Action block set. Vise barrel jaws. Barrel wrench. Specialized punch for bolt catch pin. Wrench for tightening castle nut on CAR stocks. Moly assembly lube. (Brownell’s used to carry the ‘mil-spec’ stuff) Any specialized wrenches needed for aftermarket parts like FF forends. 1/2” drive torque wrench. Small hammer with steel head and brass head. Needle file set. Barrel nut alignment gage. Straight punch set. A manual. List #2 Roll pin punch set. Roll pin starter set. Gunsmith screwdriver set with interchangeable tips. Note: gunsmith bits have straight tips that are not tapered. Bit for buttstock screws. Allen tip and Torx tip bit sets. (not needed for AR, but nice for scope mounts) Tool for installing pivot pin spring and detent. 1/4” or 3/8” drive in/lb torque wrench. Socket head allen wrench for carrier key bolts. Punch for staking carrier keys. Fine stone set. FSB taper pin punch. Ejector removal tool. Small machinist level. |
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The first thing you will need for assembly is a good Action Block Set . For only $45 this kit comes with the UPPER receiver block and the lower block. You will use both during your build. The lower is optional, but it very handy later when cleaning your rifle. The UPPER block is absolutely essential for barrel installation and torquing. The best barrel wrench is found here.... Barrel Wrench It is only $17 and it is bullet proof. You can spend ALOT more money on "multi-tools" but they will leave you lacking in the barrel wrench department. This wrench also has the fittings to install your flash hider and extension tube. Then a nice set of .....Punch Pins for $15. You can use these for several things like staking castle nuts, installing your lower parts kit and so on. There are a few other tools that come in handy like a castle nut wrench, but I haven't found them to be essential. You can use your punch set to install and stake the castle nut. Overton, what is your opinion of this one also: http://www.specializedarmament.com/products/ARMORER_TOOL_KIT_COLT_ARMORER_COURSE_COMPLETE-17-12.html Way overpriced. When I gave my advice, I made the assumption that you are a MANLY MAN and already have many of the tools you will need already. I was giving you the AR specific tools to purchase. Your tool box at home most likely already contains thing like....... small hammer lube ratchet or socket wrench file or rasp etc...... Assembling an AR is not rocket science. You DO NOT need a full out gun smith kit. You DO NOT need specialized punches. You DO NOT need a lot of things that people will tell you are essential. |
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Too much for nothing. I put my lowers together with one 19.99$ punch set, a 5$ hammer from home depot, and a flat head screwdriver. I dont even have a vise grip or any armorer blocks... You are right about the action blocks for assembly of LOWERS......but you better have one when you assemble an UPPER. You can do some serious damage to an upper receiver if isn't secured in an action block. I strongly suggest the type that completely surround the upper receiver. I don't trust the ones that simply hold it by the pin holes. |
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"Gunsmith screwdriver set with interchangeable tips.
Note: gunsmith bits have straight tips that are not tapered" I believe they are called hollow ground screw drivers (bits) I would say you can do it all with basic tools plus these: Model 1 Armorer's Action Block AR-15Product #: 593549| Manufacturer #: Armorer'sActionBlock 35.00. AR-Stoner Multi-Tool AR-15 SteelProduct #: 271183| Manufacturer #: 1570-4 29.49 at midwayusa but you should be able to find this type wrench around 20.00 if you do a search |
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The first thing you will need for assembly is a good Action Block Set . For only $45 this kit comes with the UPPER receiver block and the lower block. You will use both during your build. The lower is optional, but it very handy later when cleaning your rifle. The UPPER block is absolutely essential for barrel installation and torquing. The best barrel wrench is found here.... Barrel Wrench It is only $17 and it is bullet proof. You can spend ALOT more money on "multi-tools" but they will leave you lacking in the barrel wrench department. This wrench also has the fittings to install your flash hider and extension tube. Then a nice set of .....Punch Pins for $15. You can use these for several things like staking castle nuts, installing your lower parts kit and so on. There are a few other tools that come in handy like a castle nut wrench, but I haven't found them to be essential. You can use your punch set to install and stake the castle nut. Overton, what is your opinion of this one also: http://www.specializedarmament.com/products/ARMORER_TOOL_KIT_COLT_ARMORER_COURSE_COMPLETE-17-12.html Way overpriced. When I gave my advice, I made the assumption that you are a MANLY MAN and already have many of the tools you will need already. I was giving you the AR specific tools to purchase. Your tool box at home most likely already contains thing like....... small hammer lube ratchet or socket wrench file or rasp etc...... Assembling an AR is not rocket science. You DO NOT need a full out gun smith kit. You DO NOT need specialized punches. You DO NOT need a lot of things that people will tell you are essential.[/quot.] Now some stuff ya need....  |
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