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Thread: OK, I have Receivers & Kits; Now Tools

  1. #1
    Guns Network Contributor 04/2013 El Laton Caliente's Avatar

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    We found out what "dealing" with progressive lefties is all about. Our side gives up something, they give up nothing and the progressives come back in a month or a year and want us to give up more... rinse and repeat...

  2. #2
    Forum Administrator Schuetzenman's Avatar

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    First link doesn't work. The palmetto link and the Brownell's link seem to show the same tool kit for AR building. If they are indeed the same go with the lower cost one from Palmetto.

  3. #3
    Guns Network Contributor 04/2013 El Laton Caliente's Avatar

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    http://www.sportsmansguide.com/produ...bled+Deep+Link

    Link works for me???

    Sportsman's guide has a more expensive larger Delta set...
    We found out what "dealing" with progressive lefties is all about. Our side gives up something, they give up nothing and the progressives come back in a month or a year and want us to give up more... rinse and repeat...

  4. #4
    Forum Administrator Schuetzenman's Avatar

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    Weird I keep getting an apivglink that never manifests in anything. That said I have built numerous AR rifles with minimal tools. You don't need a 200 tool set to build one.
    Here's a list of what I use, especially for just a flat top upper. If you don't have to build an A2 rear peep sight the build is much simpler.

    #1 item to get IMO is this: http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-to...prod22385.aspx Upper receiver action block. They have a kit now that combines that tool with the dummy magazine that can be used to support the lower receiver during internals and other part installation. Price for the set is about $80 bucks. Yeah I know this is more than the kits you linked. I'm just showing you the tools I consider essential for a build. Where you source them and if they are in a kit of tools is up to you.

    #2 item; http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-to...s-prod781.aspx Roll Pin Holding Punches. Really the best way to install roll pins. You can't finish install them with these but man they are great for getting them started in the holes and preventing damage to the pin.

    #3 item; http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-to...prod38883.aspx Roll pin punch set that have a radius in the center of the tip that fits in the hole of the roll pin. Helps them to not slip off the pin when driving the pin into final depth to be flush or below surface.

    #4 item; http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-to...ake_3=AR-15/M4 some sort of barrel nut wrench. Doesn't have to be this one though I do like the looks of it. I have a military style armorers wrench http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-to...ake_3=AR-15/M4 and a Smith Enterprises wrench which I use mostly for Free Float tube handguards. This one might work on those, not sure. The Smith Ent. wrench is heavily powder coated and as such the notches for flash hider installation and removal don't fit the flats on the A2 or any other flash hider unless you grind that shit off to open the notch.

    #5 item; A 1/2" drive breaker bar in my case one from Craftsman / Sears. Handle somewhere around 2 feet in length. Most recommend a Torque wrench to get the right level of foot pounds on a barrel nut or flash hider, etc. I have a torque wrench, but rarely use it. I have enough experience to not over torque things so I seldom use it. The one exception is on my Colt HBAR rifle. I have to use 11 ft. lbs. of torque to install the flash hider or the groups suck. Use 10 and it sucks, use 12 or more and it sucks for accuracy. Use 11 and bingo, sub 1 MOA accuracy.

    #6 item; A castle nut wrench for Carbine telescoping stock style AR rifles. http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-to...ake_3=AR-15/M4 I don't have this one, mine is even more simple in construction and has only 1 tooth to engage a castle nut notch. If I want to make things very tight I have to put a piece of flattened 1" conduit on it to act as a breaker bar / cheater pipe handle.

    Things that also would help IMO but I never popped for the money to get them would be a front sight http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-to...ake_3=AR-15/M4 armorers block for pin installation and removal.

    I also have a set of aluminum vice jaws to hold just the barrel that I use in place of the block or if I'm just goofing with the muzzle device / flash hider. I would recommend these with the polymer liners so as to not leave silver aluminum marks on the barrel's finish. http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-to...ake_3=AR-15/M4 They didn't have these when I got my set of jaws and I have to wrap the barrel in a shop towel / paper towel to prevent leaving aluminum marks on it. It works but it's a pain in the ass.

    Aside from these tools a large flat blade screw driver for pistol grip and fixed A1 or A2 stock installation. Needle nose pliers and some standard flat nosed pin punches are useful.

  5. #5
    Forum Administrator Schuetzenman's Avatar

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    Finally copy then pasted your link into an empty tab window to get to Sportsman Guide, then had to search for armorers kit. Seems about the same as the other two versions of this kit. Review on SG seemed good. One review did mention needing roll pin punches and a brass hammer. I defer to their post, otherwise the reviews seemed favorable.

    There have been a crap load of new AR tools built since I started building these in late 1994. You have many options to choose from. I find Brownell's reviews of tools good to go by. Had I seen such reviews I would of skipped buying the Smith Enterprises wrench. Every negative stated about it is true. But then again it does work for my original reason of getting it, the free float tube wrench portion of it does work.

  6. #6
    308
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    Most everything you need for building an AR can be done with common tools.
    The most important ones that I use are as follows:

    1) Starret punch set for driving pins in place
    2) Combination Armorer's Wrench
    3) ...or a simple Armorer's Barrel Wrench
    4) Lower Receiver Vise Block
    5) Upper Receiver Vice Block

    All the stuff Schuetz posted is great!
    Last edited by 308; 12-06-2014 at 09:50 AM.

  7. #7
    Senior Member Partisan1983's Avatar

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    Magpul has some good tools as well

    http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=XMAG535
    Here's to pussy and gunpowder. One to live for, the other to die by.....Goddamn though, I do love the smell of 'em both !!!

  8. #8
    Team Gunsnet SILVER 05/2012 deth502's Avatar

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    http://www.manventureoutpost.com/pro...FUEV7AodqWwAZg

    (i am not vouching for the site, it was merely the first that popped up on a google search)

    hammer, std set of pin punches from any hardware/tool store, screwdrivers, a good vice with some non-marring jaws (like the alum blocks schuetz mentioned, or a std vice and wrap with heavy rubber/leather/lead shims), and a torque wrench.

    other than the armorers wrench, everything else can come come any hardware/tool store. i would recommend better tools, but even harbor freight has these if your on a tight budget.

    ive never needed any more than this. otoh, most kits ive seen lately come with the upper fully assembled. in that case, the armorers wrench os still nice for the stock, but not necessary, nor are the torque wrench and vice.

    also, a straw from a wd-40 can is also a handy tool for lower assy, for holding the bolt catch assy together while driving the pin in.

  9. #9
    Forum Administrator Schuetzenman's Avatar

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    So what's going on? Built anything yet? Why not? Hurry up already!

  10. #10
    Guns Network Contributor 04/2013 El Laton Caliente's Avatar

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    I'm in Kali and my kits are headed to Texas... I should be home next week. I'm taking off until the 5th of January...
    We found out what "dealing" with progressive lefties is all about. Our side gives up something, they give up nothing and the progressives come back in a month or a year and want us to give up more... rinse and repeat...

  11. #11
    Senior Member Bluedog's Avatar

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    I have built a shit ton of ARs with just the ubiquitous AR wrench and a vise block. I have a vise block that works with carry handle and flat top uppers, 'cause I like retro guns. Other than that, you can build ARs with tools you already have. A torque wrench is not necessary, but if you have one, go ahead.
    "if you jokers can't handle Bluedog's comments you are nothing but a bunch of woosies. There's a real simple way of solving your frustration. There is a place for you to click on called "Log Out" in the upper right portion of your monitor screen while you are at this website. Just click on that and don't ever log back in here and your problems are solved." --Pogo

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