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Posted: 7/17/2007 4:26:34 PM EDT
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I've purchased a stripped lower (Superior) and a LPK (DPMS). I was hoping to "build" this lower with my 14 yr old son. Now - I'm getting cold feet. I'm a computer geek by trade - not a lot of mechanical aptitude. How hard are these to put together? Is there anyone in the central WI area that enjoys assembling these and would be willing to help me and my son out? I could have just purchased an assembled lower - but I'd really like to learn how to put one together. I'd just like to have somebody with more experience help supervise. Thanks, Doug |
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See, you're doing the same thing I did. You're building it up too much in your mind. I too am a computer guy and after I put it together the first time I realized it was WAY easier than I thought it would be. The Sticky thread is excellent. Just have a mechanism for not launching the front detent pin into orbit (think grocery bag) and you're fine. Should take much less than an hour even taking your time. |
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As others have stated read the Build Your Own Lower sticky. The hardest steps are the front pivot pin, trigger guard and bolt stop. And those only require care in execution, they're not difficult. Everything else drops in easily. Just make sure you have the right springs in the right holes and orientation (disconnector spring fat side down). Look at the pictures in the thread. Familiarize yourself with the parts and their proper locations. It's just like putting together a plastic model kit. Or for computer types, installing a hard drive. Read the directions and plan the next install before you do it. I separate the job into manageable sub sections/assemblies. Magazine catch, front pivot pin, bolt stop, trigger, hammer, safety and grip, trigger guard, rear take down pin and buffer retainer. I save the rear pin and buffer retainer for last because it requires installing the stock. I initially tried the vice grip method, but gooned it up so I went to the punch and hammer. The punch was so easy I was embarrassed I didn't use that method to start. I bought the $10 punch set from Sears for the trigger guard and a a longer punch for the bolt stop pin. For the bolt stop, tape the lower well to protect it, oil the pin and hole and drive in the pin. This is the easiest of the three "hard" steps above. The front pivot pin can be easy or maddening. Sometimes it just slips in other times it takes a few tries. Get a dry cleaning bag or one of the two gallon zip loc bags and put the entire lower inside to install the pin and capture a fly away. I initially used a razor blade (dull the cutting edge) to hold the detent in the hole while I inserted the pivot pin. This worked ok but not great. Next I used a spare pivot pin inserted from the other side to hold the detent, then I inserted the pivot pin and pushed out the spare. The pivot pin isn't very long so it's easy for the detent to slip off of it. The last and easiest method I found is to buy a 1/4" x 3" clevis pin from the hardware store for about $0.40. It has holes though it and fits in the pivot pin hole perfectly. Insert the clevis pin from the left (opposite) side of the lower. Line up one of the holes in the clevis with the detent spring hole. Insert the spring and detent, use a slim punch or small rod or dowel to push the detent into it's hole in the lower. The rotate the clevis pin 90 degrees using the punch as a lever. Now you have the spring and detent fully in their hole captured by the clevis pin. Then just insert the pivot pin from the right side with the groove toward the top of the receiver and push out the clevis pin. The pivot pin will capture the detent as soon as the clevis lets go of it. As soon as the detent is riding on the pivot pin, rotate it counter clockwise so the groove aligns with the detent. The detent will pop into the pivot pin and you can push the pivot pin all the way home. Someone in another thread posted pictures of this. It takes about 10 times longer to type than to actually do it. The trigger guard pin gave me the most trouble. Mostly because I was afraid of breaking the ears off the lowers. For the trigger guard you have to support the bottom ear, I've used the corner of a work bench, a scrap of wood, the rubber coated handle of another hammer. A small block of wood is the easiest. Also make sure the trigger guard is supporting the upper ear when you start the pin in. I've seen pins go right in and some very stubborn pins. I've also seen some undersize holes. Mostly on teflon coated lowers that were coated after they were machined. Oil the hole and pin. A piece of plastic rod or undersize wood dowel (tooth pick?) can help to align all 3 holes before you begin. Drill a hole in your support block of wood for the temporary pin to fall into. You can also put the pin in the freezer in a plastic bag for an hour first. Finally you can use a caliper to measure the pin and ream the holes a little with a drill bit spun between your fingers only. Don't use a power drill and be careful to use a slightly under size drill bit. Don't make the hole bigger than the pin. The pin will compress slightly. Good luck, have fun, teach your son what each part does, how they interact with each other. When you get the thing fully built and shoot it he will have a lot of "I did it myself with my dad" pride. 
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The front detent pin was the hardest part for me, but then I had that thought...If you have a pair of needle nose pliers, you can easially hold the pin in with that and slide the take down pin in...it's still easier said than done though, so don't forget the bag to catch it if (read when) is shoots out on ya. Good luck, and your son will love it, I wish that I had gotten into it earlier in life. Tom |
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I might have missed it if someone already suggested it, but try posting in the Wisconsin hometown forum for help. Someone is probably near you. Link The lowers are not very difficult to assemble. Take your time. I use electrical tape to cover any areas that might get scratched. Have fun! You will build more Cheers, RS |
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Here is a link to the instructions. Print a copy of the picture of all of the lower parts & then put each of your parts on top of it's pic. Then they are right in front of you as you need them. Good luck!
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You may want to ask in the hometown forum www.ar15.com/forums/forum.html?b=8&f=21 |
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