Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: Bofire on February 28, 2014, 06:26:36 PM

Title: AR-15 builders
Post by: Bofire on February 28, 2014, 06:26:36 PM: I am going to buy the basic tools and "kits' and build my first AR and hopefully a few more.
I am retired and need a hobby.
You guys have any advice? I see tool kits on Brownells etc. I am mechanical, can do some machineing and understand tools.
thanks
Carl
Title: Re: AR-15 builders
Post by: gasman on February 28, 2014, 06:59:43 PM: Quote from: Bofire on February 28, 2014, 06:26:36 PM
I am going to buy the basic tools and "kits' and build my first AR and hopefully a few more.
I am retired and need a hobby.
You guys have any advice? I see tool kits on Brownells etc. I am mechanical, can do some machineing and understand tools.
thanks
Carl

The only specialty tools I have bought for puting together the 3 AR's I have built so far is a Barrel Nut Wrench and the Hardguard removal tool.

Every thing else, I had in my garage :tup:
Title: Re: AR-15 builders
Post by: cwuwildcat on February 28, 2014, 07:23:04 PM: Quote from: gasman on February 28, 2014, 06:59:43 PM
Quote from: Bofire on February 28, 2014, 06:26:36 PM
I am going to buy the basic tools and "kits' and build my first AR and hopefully a few more.
I am retired and need a hobby.
You guys have any advice? I see tool kits on Brownells etc. I am mechanical, can do some machineing and understand tools.
thanks
Carl

The only specialty tools I have bought for puting together the 3 AR's I have built so far is a Barrel Nut Wrench and the Hardguard removal tool.

Every thing else, I had in my garage :tup:

:yeah: I haven't built an upper from scratch, but I've done plenty of lowers with nothing other than a punch, soft hammer, vice grips with electrical tape wrapped around the tips to squeeze in the bolt release pin and a castle nut wrench. Also a razor blade to hold in the amazingly over complicated rear takedown pin detent. I don't know how many of those I've had shoot across the room while trying to install the takedown pin. I use the razor blade to press down on the detent while I slip the pin in. Maybe theres a better way, but I haven't figured it out.
Title: Re: AR-15 builders
Post by: carpsniperg2 on February 28, 2014, 07:28:06 PM: Quote from: Bofire on February 28, 2014, 06:26:36 PM
I am going to buy the basic tools and "kits' and build my first AR and hopefully a few more.
I am retired and need a hobby.
You guys have any advice? I see tool kits on Brownells etc. I am mechanical, can do some machineing and understand tools.
thanks
Carl

Go to little crow gun works and get there AR build kit. Money well spent. A armorers wrench is a must. A strap wrench. Roll pin punches. Lots of electrical tape to keep from dinging the finish. rubber mallet/brass hammer. Blocks if you are doing barrel work and building your own upper they are a must. Good set of t handle hex wrenches. Lots of other small things a guy can get to save time and help out but the above is a must for me.
Title: Re: AR-15 builders
Post by: Bofire on March 01, 2014, 12:34:56 PM: Thanks
Title: Re: AR-15 builders
Post by: kbrowne14 on March 01, 2014, 02:58:04 PM: The only special tool you might need is the castle nut wrench. you may need a barrel nut wrench, but most come with one, and you just use a torque wrench connected to the barrel nut wrench. A set of punches, maybe some roll pin punches (not necessary). You will need the upper vice block and a vice to mount the barrel and attach the gas block and stuff.
Title: Re: AR-15 builders
Post by: Bmcox86 on March 01, 2014, 06:04:06 PM: http://www.cabelas.com/product/Wheelerreg-Delta-Series-AR-Armorers-Kits/1530083.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3DAr%2Bbuild%2Bkit%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=Ar+build+kit (http://www.cabelas.com/product/Wheelerreg-Delta-Series-AR-Armorers-Kits/1530083.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3DAr%2Bbuild%2Bkit%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=Ar+build+kit)

And this nifty lil tool I found on amazon for the roll pins
http://www.amazon.com/Wheeler-AR-15-Pivot-Roll-Install/dp/B00AUEHSLU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1393725828&sr=8-3&keywords=Ar+roll+pin (http://www.amazon.com/Wheeler-AR-15-Pivot-Roll-Install/dp/B00AUEHSLU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1393725828&sr=8-3&keywords=Ar+roll+pin)
Title: Re: AR-15 builders
Post by: Jburke on March 02, 2014, 03:48:37 PM: The only special tool I needed if I remember correctly was a vise block and armorers wrench. I'm sure there are lots of others with more experience and I'm sure there are other tools that would make things easier. I didn't really have any problems using common small hand tools. I only built one but now I have the urge to build another, and another.
Title: Re: AR-15 builders
Post by: Jburke on March 02, 2014, 03:50:53 PM: Also it will depend on the components you choose to install. Free floated tube style handguard will require a different wrench than the standard M4 with the Delta ring will.
Title: Re: AR-15 builders
Post by: Fl0und3rz on March 04, 2014, 11:17:12 PM: I built my first few lowers with an armorer's wrench and a set of punches. Those and standard hand tools suffice. Later, I picked up a hand guard removal tool for removing standard handguards. Lowers are simple without a vise block, but I probably wouldn't want to do much upper work without barrel vise block and/or upper vise block.