Buying AR tools? for building and Disassembly!

[coop68]

I have been looking online and reading trying to figuring out which tools i should buy and or stay away from. i know many of the members on here are either Gunsmiths or by trade and or just have all the tools needed to build and or disassemble an AR-15 and know what works and what doesn't as fare as tools go. i am looking at getting the tools together so i can disassemble and start the prep work for the custom refinishing job i am planing on doing! i bought the upper complete from RRA since it was cheaper at the time to just buy it out right!

My question is from your guy's experience what tools should i look at buying and which i should stay away from as a waste of money and time? i'm looking at the Brands as there are a good number of them around now. given that i know many of the tools are hand made by the user or customized to complete a job or task! Given that i have a basic idea what i need, but looking for more insight!

i have most of the tools needed such as vise,torque wrench both (inch pounds and foot pounds need for different parts) punch set and basic hand tools needed for everything, but pacific upper tools!

list of what i think i need!

armors wrench, but which one? some reviews are good some are bad!
armors action block for the vise
punch set for AR-15 if i don't have the right set on hand
go and no go gage
non-abrasive grease for the threads when putting the back barrel on


please add any other tools and or places i should look at getting the tools!



thanks, coop

[SA Friday]

Oh, oh... get a dremel[Muaha]

[coop68]

Oh, oh... get a dremel[Muaha]

have one! [Muaha]

[Ridge]

DPMS AR multi tool
DPMS Panther Claw
Steel punch set
Vise grips

[FireMoth]

Vice grips?

Is that how you manage to do the damage you do?

Really, i want this one explained to me....

[Ridge]

What ya do is, you wrap the serrated teeth of the vise grips with electrical tape.

You tap in a roll pin into the hole, and then clamp down a little bit with the vise grips. Unclamp, tighten down, and clamp again. Repeat slowly until you get the pin flush with the receiver :)

[FireMoth]

Yeah, which is why I have roll pin punches.

And a short cup tipped punch with a .250" long shaft, so it wont get broken off drifting out sight block pins...

[Ridge]

Yeah, which is why I have...a .250" long shaft, so it wont get broken off...

Reading between the lines...

[BPTactical]

I think unless you plan on building a bunch of them or consider your AR's "Erector Sets" and like tearing them apart every other week then you are not going to be very cost effective Coop. I easily have $250-300 in QUALITY tooling for 15's alone. That is about twice the cost of having it built. Example: a full set of Starret pin and roll pin punches will set you back just under a C-note and that is if you can find them on sale. The adjustable gland nut wrench and jamb nut wrenches were another Bill.
That is not counting the tools that I have made like the aligning pin for free float barrel nuts or the pair of vise grips that were cut/welded and otherwise molested to press in bolt catch pins.

[coop68]

I think unless you plan on building a bunch of them or consider your AR's "Erector Sets" and like tearing them apart every other week then you are not going to be very cost effective Coop. I easily have $250-300 in QUALITY tooling for 15's alone. That is about twice the cost of having it built. Example: a full set of Starret pin and roll pin punches will set you back just under a C-note and that is if you can find them on sale. The adjustable gland nut wrench and jamb nut wrenches were another Bill.
That is not counting the tools that I have made like the aligning pin for free float barrel nuts or the pair of vise grips that were cut/welded and otherwise molested to press in bolt catch pins.

i understand your view point! i figured it wouldn't be very cost effective unless i'm building and repairing Ar's often which i don't plan on doing, but with not finding anyone who can do the type of finish i am wanting. i have given up and figure i do it my self and learn something! might consider a different route with your input!

i guess i am thinking towards long term use for myself and with the amount of shooting i do with high power! having the tools and knowledge is worth more to me than the cost to a point.

coop

[FireMoth]

Reading between the lines...

Jealous, stubby?

[SAnd]

A minor but very handy tool is a takedown pin punch tool. It helps push out the takedown pins and is useful in lining up the holes to push the takedown pins back in.

[BPTactical]

Jealous, stubby?

ZING!

[Graves]

Reading between the lines...

Nice. [Muaha]

[Great-Kazoo]

i understand your view point! i figured it wouldn't be very cost effective unless i'm building and repairing Ar's often which i don't plan on doing, but with not finding anyone who can do the type of finish i am wanting. i have given up and figure i do it my self and learn something! might consider a different route with your input!

i guess i am thinking towards long term use for myself and with the amount of shooting i do with high power! having the tools and knowledge is worth more to me than the cost to a point.

coop


and what "type of finish" are you wanting to do, that no one but you is able or would do??

[coop68]

and what "type of finish" are you wanting to do, that no one but you is able or would do??

its not like no one can't do it, didn't mean to come off that way. its more like no one is really doing it in the color i want and if they are doing it there not much to go on as fare as pictures of it. its kind of a shot in the dark if it will come out how i want it! looking to do a spider webbing effect with a green color on black! the problem is the green and so i thought with the cost of someone else doing it why cant i experiment and do it my self that way if i screw it up i can try again and in the long run i can get some more tools and experience and knowledge!

coop

[Ah Pook]

I have a DPMS wrench you can use, Coop. I need to find someone with an upper block. I don't plan to build/tear down/tweak ARs on a regular basis.

McGuckin's has a nice set of S&W brass and steel punches.

[SA Friday]

I'm sure you can find someone to duracoat it pink for you coop. Its not that uncommon a finish. :)

[Great-Kazoo]

its not like no one can't do it, didn't mean to come off that way. its more like no one is really doing it in the color i want and if they are doing it there not much to go on as fare as pictures of it. its kind of a shot in the dark if it will come out how i want it! looking to do a spider webbing effect with a green color on black! the problem is the green and so i thought with the cost of someone else doing it why cant i experiment and do it my self that way if i screw it up i can try again and in the long run i can get some more tools and experience and knowledge!

coop

run a few test sets on a plastic sheet then go from there.

[coop68]

I'm sure you can find someone to duracoat it pink for you coop. Its not that uncommon a finish. :)


First i am doing it my self i found how you do it by just calling them and they told me! ordered my colors, when i called they where fresh out of PINK sorry! and NO


run a few test sets on a plastic sheet then go from there.

thats what i plain on doing including some AR stocks i have and ammo cans also bought some stencils i want to give a try!


pook: as fare as the wrench goes thanks if and when ill let you know! most likely i will buy my own some time in the future i too need to get a upper block!

[m*o*a]

Just take your time, and make sure you properly prep the parts before duracoating them. Same with the assembly, and use the proper tools.

If you need I can help you duracoat it, and with the build. I have the proper tools, blast cabinet, and paint equipment. I have done many custom finished rifles.

Here are some pics of my work to give you some ideas.

Kind of a desert digicam
http://i712.photobucket.com/albums/ww121/frommycolddeadhands/101_6357.jpg



Handguard duracoated 2 tone, black rail with OD green tube
http://i712.photobucket.com/albums/ww121/frommycolddeadhands/100_0174.jpg




Paintball gun camo stenciled multiple colors
http://i712.photobucket.com/albums/ww121/frommycolddeadhands/101_5912.jpg

[Buzzkill69]

^^That's some pretty nice work right there!!^^ Interesting thread too!

[whitbaby]

I've just received a PSA Lower Build Kit for my first build. I acquired an 'AR Complete Assembly Guide' by Kuleck and McKee. In it they stress using roll pin starter punches, particularly for Bolt Catch roll pin insertion, etc. I didn't have a set of these but do have a 36-piece set of Harbor Freight's Security Bit Set, HF still has them for about $6.

http://www.harborfreight.com/33-piece-security-bit-set-68459.html

Radio Shack (you have questions?...we have blank stares) used to carry them too, dunno if they still do or not.

These have a number of bits that seem to accept the roll pins quite readily and excellent for 'starting' these in the holes, then I use my assortment of punches to seat the pin.

[davsel]

http://www.mercedescla.org/forum/attachments/1030d1372471967t-cla-configurator-usa-alive-its-alive.jpeg

[Great-Kazoo]

I've just received a PSA Lower Build Kit for my first build. I acquired an 'AR Complete Assembly Guide' by Kuleck and McKee. In it they stress using roll pin starter punches, particularly for Bolt Catch roll pin insertion, etc. I didn't have a set of these but do have a 36-piece set of Harbor Freight's Security Bit Set, HF still has them for about $6.

http://www.harborfreight.com/33-piece-security-bit-set-68459.html

Radio Shack (you have questions?...we have blank stares) used to carry them too, dunno if they still do or not.

These have a number of bits that seem to accept the roll pins quite readily and excellent for 'starting' these in the holes, then I use my assortment of punches to seat the pin.

Small flat pin punch , hold the roll pins with a hemostat.

[Mazin]

Tape the lower with electrical tape and don't go after it like Godzilla on a rampage. I generally just hold it on and tap the pin to get it started. Once started you can start driving the pin in until you feel the bolt catch, align and tap until you know it's lined up then drive it home with a punch. I like to recess mine so I will break out the appropriate size punch and give it just a gentile tap. I can see the curved hemostat being useful for the old guys though [Coffee]

[BPTactical]

There's a better way.........

[ray1970]

There's a better way.........

Big hammer?

[Coffee]

[Great-Kazoo]

Tape the lower with electrical tape and don't go after it like Godzilla on a rampage. I generally just hold it on and tap the pin to get it started. Once started you can start driving the pin in until you feel the bolt catch, align and tap until you know it's lined up then drive it home with a punch. I like to recess mine so I will break out the appropriate size punch and give it just a gentile tap. I can see the curved hemostat being useful for the old guys though [Coffee]

If you had man sized hands like some of us, small things are sometimes hard to grasp.

[Mazin]

If you had man sized hands like some of us, small things are sometimes hard to grasp.

[ROFL1]

[mb504]

I've just received a PSA Lower Build Kit for my first build. I acquired an 'AR Complete Assembly Guide' by Kuleck and McKee. In it they stress using roll pin starter punches, particularly for Bolt Catch roll pin insertion, etc. I didn't have a set of these but do have a 36-piece set of Harbor Freight's Security Bit Set, HF still has them for about $6.

http://www.harborfreight.com/33-piece-security-bit-set-68459.html



This one is a great deal too. http://www.harborfreight.com/100-piece-security-bit-set-68457.html
But it is still HF.

If you want something more gun related (since some screws will need thinner and thicker than standard blades): http://www.midwayusa.com/product/439523/wheeler-engineering-89-piece-professional-plus-gunsmithing-screwdriver-set

Also, Wheeler and DPMS have some sets made just for the AR:
$85.99 - http://www.midwayusa.com/product/491335/wheeler-engineering-delta-series-ar-15-armorers-essentials-kit
$179.99 - http://www.midwayusa.com/product/195774/wheeler-engineering-delta-series-ar-15-armorers-professional-kit
$239.99 - http://www.midwayusa.com/product/511917/dpms-armorers-kit-ar-15

[BPTactical]

There's a better way......

[Great-Kazoo]

This one is a great deal too. http://www.harborfreight.com/100-piece-security-bit-set-68457.html
But it is still HF.

If you want something more gun related (since some screws will need thinner and thicker than standard blades): http://www.midwayusa.com/product/439523/wheeler-engineering-89-piece-professional-plus-gunsmithing-screwdriver-set

Also, Wheeler and DPMS have some sets made just for the AR:
$85.99 - http://www.midwayusa.com/product/491335/wheeler-engineering-delta-series-ar-15-armorers-essentials-kit
$179.99 - http://www.midwayusa.com/product/195774/wheeler-engineering-delta-series-ar-15-armorers-professional-kit
$239.99 - http://www.midwayusa.com/product/511917/dpms-armorers-kit-ar-15


There's a better way......


IMO there are 2 ways.

1- buy the tooling to DIY. : before you invest do the math. Are you going to have that many rifles ( AR's) to cover your overall investment. Realistically how many you plan on doing? how many times you gonna change the bbl out or build "another" upper for that extra lower. If you have more than 3-5 with NFA item's, then it is a good investment ;)

2 - See BP's response. The cost of tools for DIY is not always the best way. Your tooling to re-barrel an upper can run $100+, easy
A competent smith, with lots of Positive feed back will not only save you money, but make suggestions. You or your friends may not have thought of. The smith IF an OOPS happens usually covers that OOPS. vs you out of pocket for not only the Tooling, but parts too.

Myself i utilize both in house tooling AND BPTACTICAL. He is down the road a ways, but well worth the time and effort. or for that matter any smith you feel comfortable with.