AR Sponsor
Posted: 10/1/2012 9:41:33 PM EDT
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I've been into firearms for a while now and I finally decided to get into the AR game and I decided to go the build route. I already purchased a stripped lower and an upper receiver. What are the tools that I absolutely need. I want to keep the costs of tools low, but I'm willing to spend extra money if its going to prevent damage to parts.
So far I'm planning on: Roll pins castle nut wrench barrel wrench vise blocks? pivot pin detent depressor? If this is already posted somewhere, please let me know. |
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Don't really need the pivot pin depressor in my opinion. You can get a business card or something to hold the spring and detent back while you slide in the pivot pin. Instead use the money to buy one of these instead of a generic castle nut wrench. It holds on the castle nut better which will prevent slippage of the tool and the chances of your tool breaking or teeth bending will be non existent also good for installing muzzle devices. Get a spring loaded punch to stake the castle nut if you are planning on doing that and also do you have a torque wrench?
Also Aeroshell 33MS to grease the threads of the upper receiver and receiver extension tube before installing components to prevent seizing. |
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This wrench looks well made and a good price.
http://www.ar15news.com/2012/08/08/new-gem-state-armory-ar-armorers-wrench-review/ I would add roll pin punch holders to the list...and I like the detent pin depressor, even though you can make your own probably more cheaply. Yes to the vice block and barrel block. Use a barrel block when installing the flash hider...so as not to stress the barrel extension pin. Yes to the Aeroshell 33MS grease Also add taper pin punch and bigger brass hammer. For front sight/gas block pins. 
Here was a thread with some good sources too. http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_4/581236_Tools.html |
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BASIC WEAPON SPECIFIC TOOLS:
A1/A2 Front Sight Tool Barrel Nut Alignment Tool Barrel Nut Wrench Barrel Vise Jaw Set CAR Castle Nut Wrench Carrier Key Allen Bit FCG Slave Pin FSB Taper Pin Punch Gunsmith Screwdriver Set Torx Bits add on Allen Bits add on Hammer, ¾” w/ Interchangeable heads Hammer, 1” w/ Interchangeable heads Hammer, Ballpeen Headspace Gage SAAMI Go Headspace Gage SAAMI NoGo Headspace Gage SAAMI Field Headspace Gage 556 Field Headspace Gage Set, Match [Optional] Mag Catch Pin Punch (milled for clearance) Pivot Pin Installation Tool Roll Pin Punch Set: 1/16”, 5/64”, 3/32”, 1/8”, 5/32”, 3/16”, 7/32” Roll Pin Holder Set: 1/16” Notched, 5/64”, 3/32”, 1/8”, 3.5mm Trigger Guard Installation Bench Block BASIC TOOLS: Ballpeen Hammer Center Punch Dental Pick Set Feeler Gage Set File Set, Small Punch Set, Straight [steel]: 1/16”, 5/64”, 3/32”, 1/8”, 5/32”, 3/16”, 7/32”, ¼”, 5/16” Sap Ring Pliers Stones Ceramic/India Torque Wrench Ft/Lb Torque Wrench In/Lb Vise CONSUMABLES: Dummy Rounds Mil-spec Barrel Assembly Grease [AeroShell 33MS] Rosin NICE TO HAVE: Bolt Disassembly Tool Brass Vise Jaw Covers Broken Shell Extractor Carrier Key Staking Tool Chamber Reflector Tool Clamshell Action Block Set FSB Bench Block Punch Set, Straight [brass] Roll Pin Starter Punch Set (Short Tip): 1/16”, 5/64”, 3/32”, 1/8”, 5/32”, 3/16”, 7/32” Receiver Vise Block, Lower Receiver Vise Block, Upper Sling Swivel Staking Tool Upper Lapping Tool |
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Quoted:
I've been into firearms for a while now and I finally decided to get into the AR game and I decided to go the build route... You might want to go here: Build It Yourself |
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Quoted: I've been into firearms for a while now and I finally decided to get into the AR game and I decided to go the build route. I already purchased a stripped lower and an upper receiver. What are the tools that I absolutely need. I want to keep the costs of tools low, but I'm willing to spend extra money if its going to prevent damage to parts. So far I'm planning on: Roll pins use a nail/hammer castle nut wrench use a hammer/nail/or screwdriver barrel wrench yeah prob need this unless you get a comeplete upper vise blocks? if a flatop can use 2 pieces of wood pivot pin detent depressor? not at all If this is already posted somewhere, please let me know. if you buy a complete upper, you dont really need anything besides a nail/hammer. BUT the extra stuff does make it easier. If you just want to build 1, then borrow or post in the HTF for help. If you really want to do more than a couple, then get the tools. Ive built 50+ of them and mine 1st ones were done with no tools |
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Some of it depends on what rail you're going to use...a lot of them require a proprietary barrel nut wrench. A lot of tools on people's lists are "nice to have" but not necessary. I've found it better to have a few top quality tools than all the Brownells kits, which are usually filled with crappy punches that bend and break very quickly.
These are the tools that I use to build my AR's: 
What you see there are FANTASTIC Starrett punches...no bending or breaking with those bad boys (provided you use them correctly). A PRI barrel nut wrench for standard barrels A DPMS Claw receiver block (I prefer this to the clamshell because it works with more uppers (VLTOR, Stag LH, etc) A DPMS stock wrench with enough meat on it to easily break staked castle nuts Brownells Action Lube Plus - for the threads on the barrel nut and the receiver extension...moly-based anti-seize. I also have a torque wrench (ft/lb) for torquing on barrel nuts and castle nuts: 
I prefer to put the upper receiver in the vise like this so all the torque from the barrel nut is not distributed onto the lugs: 
With these tools and the right knowledge, you go from this: 
To this: 
Go slow, and best of luck! |
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Quoted:
I've been into firearms for a while now and I finally decided to get into the AR game and I decided to go the build route. I already purchased a stripped lower and an upper receiver. What are the tools that I absolutely need. I want to keep the costs of tools low, but I'm willing to spend extra money if its going to prevent damage to parts. So far I'm planning on: Roll pins castle nut wrench barrel wrench vise blocks? pivot pin detent depressor? If this is already posted somewhere, please let me know. A quality Armors wrench well do the barrel nut, flash hider, A1/2 RE, and castle nut. A torque wrench is nice to have. Small brass hammer, or wood mallet. Pin punches, Lyman makes a nice AR set that is reasonably priced. One pin punch with the handle side ground away for clearance when removing/installing the bolt release roll pin. Clam shell vise block and bench vise. You can use a allen wrench as a detent pin tool. Roll pin starter punches are nice to have but not necessary. You could get by with just a armors wrench, vise grip, one small punch and some electricians tape.. |
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You really don't need that much:
Upper: vice upper receiver vice blocks vice blocks for barrel- just use padded jaws or scrap wood barrel nut wrench- the PRI one is awesome!, May not be needed if rail comes with proprietary nut & tool. torque wrench- The beam style works well for AR builds because you can contantly see how much torque you are applying. flash hider wrench- a standard box end or adjustable wrench will work fine Lower: Roll pin punches castle nut wrench- for carbine stock, not needed for A2 stock |
One additional must have for every builder...can't believe I forgot!
http://www.amazon.com/Birchwood-Super-Black-Gun-Touch/dp/B0049Q5JX4 |
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