Building First AR-15 Tool Advice

[JM Campbell]

WheelerPro ToolsKits any good?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/s/ref=is_s_ss_i_1_10?k=wheeler+ar-15+armorer%27s+professional+kit&sprefix=Wheeler+ar

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[ASH556]

WheelerPro ToolsKits any good?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/s/ref=is_s_ss_i_1_10?k=wheeler+ar-15+armorer%27s+professional+kit&sprefix=Wheeler+ar

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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! :p -- 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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[SeriousStudent]

Sweet, those Hammerhead tools are actually in stock now, they usually run out.

[JM Campbell]

Just snagged a hammerhead, the journey begins...

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[Jason F]

I've never seen one of those Hammerheads, but I grabbed one. Looks like a great tool to have around.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! (And for asking a great question SkyLine1)

[Wayne Dobbs]

I would also suggest that you guys look at Ned Christiansen's site: www.m-guns.com

He makes several items that are great for AR builders, armorers, etc. His MOACKS is the heat for properly staking a gas carrier key. This is an operation that most of the lower tier "assemblers" do a sorry job of and it's so critical to making sure of gas system integrity. Also look at his NATO chamber gauge and chamber reamer. Most of the lower tier guns do NOT have a NATO chamber despite what they rollmarked on the barrel. The reamer makes sure.

[JM Campbell]

Got in all the tools and set forth on building the lower.

Spikes lower b-day present from the wife.

MagPul MOE Fixed Carbine Stock.

MOE K Grip.

ALG trigger.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/13/aqa9yhyg.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/13/ase9yhez.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/13/ysy2u5yp.jpg


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[Wayne Dobbs]

Excellent staking job on the receiver extension nut!

[TR675]

Excellent staking job on the receiver extension nut!

No kidding. Very clean job. What did you use for that?

[JM Campbell]

Thanks Gents!
A little Jedi mind trick and the right tools go a long way.

Amazon
816A-5/64" started/guide punch
264E-5/32" finished staking

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/13/3ahezaha.jpg

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[JM Campbell]

On a side note about tools, the detent spring install tool for the detent pins is the cats meow!
The Hammerhead tool is very nice and provides a very solid purchase on the castle nut.

I really appreciate the SOLID tool advice from Mr. Dobbs and fellow P-F membership.

All I have to do now is decide what direction I want to go with the upper.

Part II once my decision and parts purchases are made.

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[Odin Bravo One]

All I have to do now is decide what direction I want to go with the upper.

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Should be easy............the bullets only come out one end......:p

[TGS]

Just saw the Wheeler "Delta AR Combo Tool" on PSA's big Easter sale and bought one:

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/black-friday/black-friday-accessories/wheeler-delta-series-ar-combo-tool-156999.html

Also bought a LPK with the MOE K2, and two mil-spec MPI/HPT BCGs for $89 each. Doesn't look like they have those up anymore, just some $79 ones that aren't described as MPI/HPT.

This is in addition to the 2 PSA stripped lowers I bought 2 weeks ago for $49. Thanks, PSA. :cool: In any case, check out the sale, lots of cool stuff. Almost bought a 12ga Stevens 320 shotgun for $149 till I read some reviews about them:(

[Wayne Dobbs]

Just saw the Wheeler "Delta AR Combo Tool" on PSA's big Easter sale and bought one:

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/black-friday/black-friday-accessories/wheeler-delta-series-ar-combo-tool-156999.html

Also bought a LPK with the MOE K2, and two mil-spec MPI/HPT BCGs for $89 each. Doesn't look like they have those up anymore, just some $79 ones that aren't described as MPI/HPT.

This is in addition to the 2 PSA stripped lowers I bought 2 weeks ago for $49. Thanks, PSA. :cool: In any case, check out the sale, lots of cool stuff. Almost bought a 12ga Stevens 320 shotgun for $149 till I read some reviews about them:(

Not to rain on your new gear parade, but you cannot produce a Mil-spec, HPT and MPI BCG for that price and in truth, it would be hard to do it for double that price. Sounds like you bought a batch processed component set, but definitely not one where ALL the BCGs and bolts were HPT'd and MPI'd.

[TGS]

Not to rain on your new gear parade, but you cannot produce a Mil-spec, HPT and MPI BCG for that price and in truth, it would be hard to do it for double that price. Sounds like you bought a batch processed component set, but definitely not one where ALL the BCGs and bolts were HPT'd and MPI'd.

You're not raining on my parade.....even if it was only batch tested, I'd be happy at $89 for a complete BCG.

However, the key words: Easter Sale. It's on sale for $89, that's not its regular price.

If you click the link (http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/palmetto-state-armory-5-56-bolt-carrier-group-1.html), you'd see it's regularly priced at $149, which is where most quality BCGs fall....respectfully, I don't agree with your statement that it'd be tough to sell a fully tested BCG at $178, when top tier manufacturers routinely sell BCGs at or below that price when the market isn't going crazy. I think BCMs were listed below $178 before the Newtown shooting, and right now BCM BCGs are going for $179. G&R Tactical's current price (albeit out of stock) on LMT MPI/HPT BCGs is $130.

Inquiries to PSA have been posted on the web, with PSA responding that the bolts are MPI/HPT, and that the "PTAC" line which does not have a claim to being MPI/HPT does not have a tested bolt. The picture also shows an MPI/HPT marked bolt. So, if I get them and they're not marked, I'll give them a call and see what they say. But at this point, every indication is an individually tested bolt....that's on sale.

[JM Campbell]

Now on my second build....

Anyone have a good source on a gas block jig for machining dimples for set screws?

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[SeriousStudent]

Now on my second build....

Anyone have a good source on a gas block jig for machining dimples for set screws?

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Bravo Company sells the jigs from BRDE (Black Rifle Disease Engineering). I buy a lot of gear from BCM with no issues.

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BRDE-Fixture-for-Dimpling-Barrels-p/brdejig1.htm

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BRDE-Fixture-for-Drilling-Pinning-Vltor-Gas-Blocks-p/brdejig2.htm

If you do this, make sure you use a drill press with carbide bits on low speed with cutting oil. I have seen what Bill-Ray can do to a Shrubmaster barrel with a hand-held Ryobi drill. Funny, but not useful.