Building First AR-15 Tool Advice

[JM Campbell]

WheelerPro ToolsKits any good?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/s/ref=is...fix=Wheeler+ar

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[ASH556]

WheelerPro ToolsKits any good?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/s/ref=is...fix=Wheeler+ar

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

Yeah, no. That kit would be an utter waste of money. Dental pics and toothbrushes for building an AR? Really? Shame on Wheeler for selling that as a "professional armorer's kit."

Shop at Brownells for AR tools. Are you building upper, lower, or both? Lower, you'll need some roll pin punches, a castle nut wrench, and a center/staking punch. The upper is a little more involved depending on exactly what parts you're using.

[JM Campbell]

Upper and lower, I already have roll pin punches. Trying to accumulate the right tools and not regret that I didn't.

[Dave J]

Bare minimum IMHO:
Barrel nut wrench.
Vise blocks
Castle nut wrench

Things that make life much easier:
Gas tube roll pin punch
Roll pin starter punches
pivot pin tool

Above assumes you already have basic automotive shop tools, torque wrench, etc.

[ASH556]

Upper and lower, I already have roll pin punches. Trying to accumulate the right tools and not regret that I didn't.

Geissele Reaction Rod, one of the most useful tools you'll buy, and works perfectly for barrel nuts and muzzle devices.
A barrel nut wrench. I use and prefer the one PRI makes. If you're installing rails, many of them will have their own nut and corresponding wrench.
Hammerheadrifletool.com - great castle nut wrench as well as flashhider wrench...thin enough not to mar the crush washer as it crushes.
The special bolt catch roll pin punch Brownells makes is very useful as is a front takedown pin installation tool.
A strap wrench and a torque wrench are good to have, but might fall under general mechanics tools like screw drivers and a hammer.

[TheTrevor]

I'll second the recommendation for the reaction rod.

Other stuff:
* a solidly mounted swiveling-base bench vise
* gorilla tape to protect receiver when driving in pins
* a piece of shim stock (or an automotive shim-measurement tool) is tremendously useful when installing the front takedown pin: you use the shim to hold the detent/spring in place while you install the pin.
* this: Weaver Deluxe Gunsmith Tool Kit http://amzn.com/B004NC188O

If you get a barrel with a pinned gas block and want to switch it out for a different gas block, buy a sacrificial steel punch to drive out the pins. I generally scrap the punch after each job like that. Alternatively, get a friend with a hydraulic press to punch out the pins.

[ASH556]

Your comment about the gas block pin punch is interesting to me. I use Starrett brand punches and have never bent or broken one. Starrett also makes one that looks like a large nail set that is concave on the tip designed specially for removing FSB taper pins.

[Drang]

When I built my AR, the most useful tool was the Internet. Specifically, the eponymous forum.

Yeah, that make me sound like an idiot, but, seriously, ARFCOM has a lot of useful tutorials, videos, and step-by-step guides. Washington had the most active Hometown Forum at the time -- in your face, Texas! -- so there was also a lot of "Who has this tool that I can borrow?", to avoid spending $$$ on tools you'd only use once. (The WAHTF has since fallen prey to the drama llama, and the most active members have formed their own forum. I rarely visit ARFCOM anymore...)
YMMV.

[Wayne Dobbs]

I teach the Colt AR Armorer's Course all over the country. You likely have most of the tools you'll need, but here's some suggestions for you along with Brownell's parts numbers:

Solid pin punches (Starrett suggested) 1/16, 3/32, 5/64, 1/8, 1/4
Roll pin punches
Roll pin holders (small and medium sizes)
Brownell's bolt catch punch 080-216-012
Prick punch and center punch (to stake receiver extension nut)
Front pivot pin installation tool (you'll never use ANYTHING else!) 100-003-308
8 or 12 oz ball pein hammer
Ejector removal/installation tool 988-000-003
Ejection port dust cover snap ring tool 100-013-629
Hammerhead tool - www.hammerheadrifletool.com
Upper and lower receiver block sets
Barrel wrench
Front sight tool
Front Sight Base block
Torque wrench
1/2 drive extension handle
Gauges: headspace, firing pin protrusion and barrel straightness

This is a list that I threw together on the fly. Feel free to PM me if you like and I'll be glad to help you out.

[JM Campbell]

Outstanding Mr. Dobbs!

I'll start accumulating tools from your list.

I appreciate your help and direction.

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