Posted: 9/21/2009 5:05:56 PM EDT
Okay so everytime I install the bolt catch pin I scratch the lower. I've used tape, and wood on the vise jaws and can't keep it from scratching. What do ya'll guys use? Has anyone used a punch on this pin and how did/would that work? |
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Try needle nosed vicegrips. Give it a solid whack with a hammer and punch to start it and then set your vicegrips to press the pin closed just a bit. Then give the grips a full twist and pinch again. Just press it in.
I use a punch and electrical tape. Tap from the back side. (not your arrow side). |
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1. Stop putting it in from the front of the receiver. Install it from the back (stock end).
2. Use a 3/32 roll pin holder to hold the roll pin until it's seated in far enough that the catch holds in place. You want to use the holder to get it into the hole but not to seat it all the way as that will scratch the lower. 3. Finish it off with a roll pin punch of the appropriate size (3/32) to finish seating the roll pin. 4. You don't need a vise or vise block to install this part. The roll pin holder will make life considerably easier when installing the bolt catch roll pin and you don't have to do more than tap to get it installed. If you're going to put it in from the front like you appear to be doing you'll want to get a Bolt Catch Roll Pin Punch from brownells. This punch has one side flat so it won't scratch up the side of the receiver. I use one, but again, only to remove the pins if needed as I install them from the rear. |
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Quoted:
1. Stop putting it in from the front of the receiver. Install it from the back (stock end). 2. Use a 3/32 roll pin holder to hold the roll pin until it's seated in far enough that the catch holds in place. You want to use the holder to get it into the hole but not to seat it all the way as that will scratch the lower. 3. Finish it off with a roll pin punch of the appropriate size (3/32) to finish seating the roll pin. 4. You don't need a vise or vise block to install this part. The roll pin holder will make life considerably easier when installing the bolt catch roll pin and you don't have to do more than tap to get it installed. If you're going to put it in from the front like you appear to be doing you'll want to get a Bolt Catch Roll Pin Punch from brownells. This punch has one side flat so it won't scratch up the side of the receiver. I use one, but again, only to remove the pins if needed as I install them from the rear. What she said. It might seem weird, but tap it in from the Receiver Extension end with the proper Roll pin punch. If you cannot hold the punch without losing it, then put a paper towel or something between the punch and the lower. Those little marks are NOTHING. Get some Flat Black touch up and touch them up. It's not a Pidgeon Grade Over and Under, it's a weapon, a tool.....it's not EVER going to look like a blued polished deer rifle. |
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Quoted:
Try needle nosed vicegrips. Give it a solid whack with a hammer and punch to start it and then set your vicegrips to press the pin closed just a bit. Then give the grips a full twist and pinch again. Just press it in. I use a punch and electrical tape. Tap from the back side. (not your arrow side). Put down the Vice Grips / Channel Locks and step away from the receiver... 
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Quoted:
Personal interest here, but why is everyone against vice grips? I have used them and a bit of card stock many times (including on my "prized" LaRue) and have always had great luck. Using a punch is the only time I scratched a lower. dunno if I'm against useing vise grips but I like the control factor of using my bench vise. I just don't like the scratching it causes so I'll try installing the pin from the other way today and see how it works. I would think using a punch would cause more damage than what I'm doing now just because I don't have a way to hold the lower still and secure while I drive the pin in. |
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I'll take pictures for you.. NO vise is needed to install the bolt catch roll pin. The only thing you really need a vise for is tightening the castle nut on a carbine stock assembly. You can either lay the receiver on it's side on a surface that won't scratch it (bench mat, rubber, etc..) or stand it up on the front end of the magwell.
As for the vise grips.. is it the proper tool for the job? No. If you use a roll pin punch you should not scratch up the receiver. |
| To each their own I guess. Either way http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=226782 has good pics \ tips for using either a punch or vice grips to get it in without marring the finish. (Places to tape, etc) |
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Only thing I use vise grips (taped) for is installing the roll pin for the trigger guard. Works better than pounding it in. And I don't know anyone who uses a vise to build a lower. Seems like the hard way to me.
Nothing better than roll pin holders and punches. Don't know why it took me so long to buy a set. If you're only building one.... wait, nobody is ever going to build just one in their whole life. As someone else said, slightly crimping the starting end of a roll pin is an excellent tip. Using electrical tape to prevent scratches is okay, but if you want to be really safe pick up some Gorilla Tape at either Lowe's or one of the other stores. Much thicker and tougher than anything else I've seen. Works for many other things too. |
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Quoted:
Only thing I use vise grips (taped) for is installing the roll pin for the trigger guard. Works better than pounding it in. And I don't know anyone who uses a vise to build a lower. Seems like the hard way to me. Nothing better than roll pin holders and punches. Don't know why it took me so long to buy a set. If you're only building one.... wait, nobody is ever going to build just one in their whole life. As someone else said, slightly crimping the starting end of a roll pin is an excellent tip. Using electrical tape to prevent scratches is okay, but if you want to be really safe pick up some Gorilla Tape at either Lowe's or one of the other stores. Much thicker and tougher than anything else I've seen. Works for many other things too. Well now you do know someone who uses the vise along with the lower block in the vise to hold the receiver. I put together 35-40 lowers a day using the vise. It's my third hand and the roll pin holders and roll pin punches are the only way to go. Stop using vice grips. They are a sure way to mar your receiver. |
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Quoted:
1. Stop putting it in from the front of the receiver. Install it from the back (stock end). 2. Use a 3/32 roll pin holder to hold the roll pin until it's seated in far enough that the catch holds in place. You want to use the holder to get it into the hole but not to seat it all the way as that will scratch the lower. 3. Finish it off with a roll pin punch of the appropriate size (3/32) to finish seating the roll pin. 4. You don't need a vise or vise block to install this part. The roll pin holder will make life considerably easier when installing the bolt catch roll pin and you don't have to do more than tap to get it installed. If you're going to put it in from the front like you appear to be doing you'll want to get a Bolt Catch Roll Pin Punch from brownells. This punch has one side flat so it won't scratch up the side of the receiver. I use one, but again, only to remove the pins if needed as I install them from the rear. Roll pin punches are a must-have for, well, working with roll pins. I install my boltcatch pins from the rear with no problem. |
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Quoted:
thanks for the advise guys. I'll try putting the pin in from the rear on the next one and see how that works. I use just a speck of Lubit-8 which is supposed to contain Teflon or some other super-slippery lubricant, and that makes it so much easier to go in. Haven't had any problems with pins backing out either. Got mine at Sears in a pen-type oiler. |