Tools to Build

[cjmore]

What tools do you need to build an ar the right way? What's a good brand for wrenches etc?

[XC700116]

Here's a good start, not all required to get it done but good info.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=11419/learn/

[rbeau30]

Watch that whole series. It is excellent way to walk you through assembly.

[cjmore]

Great info thanks xc700116.

[BPTactical]

If you are only going to build one or two it is really not worth the investment. You will not recoup the cost.
Having it professionally assembled will cost less than the tooling.

I know somebody if your interested[pick-me][Coffee]

[Great-Kazoo]

If you are only going to build one or two it is really not worth the investment. You will not recoup the cost.
Having it professionally assembled will cost less than the tooling.

I know somebody if your interested[pick-me][Coffee]

The call you get and they say , So i have all the tools to build my AR. Can I borrow your Vise?

[jhirsh5280]

I had plans of building from scratch and then chaos ensued. I ended up getting an assembled upper so no tools there but I assembled most of the lower with what I had around the house; hammer, allen wrenches, etc. Only piece I had installed was the buffer tube because I didn't have a castle but wrench, but the guys at Bowers Tactical were more than happy to help out.

[cjmore]

Yeah I build stuff for fun, so my tool box is not something I look at as a sunk cost., nor is it something you carry around.

One of the reasons I asked about the brand of tool being "better" ie I'm going to purchase and want something that will last.

Besides basics tools – What specialty tools do you need to assemble an AR?


Here’s what I’ve gathered thus far:
1 – Ar-15 Vise Block
2 – Drive Pin Punch Set (starrett)
3 – Roll Pin Punches (Mayhew steel)
4 – Roll Pin Holders
5 – Bolt Catch Pin Punch
6 – AR-15 Stock Wrench
7 – Pivot Pin Detent Install Tool
8 – Take down Pin Tool
9 – Headspace gauge

Are the all in 1 tools like a Tapco Intrafuse AR Armorer's Tool (http://tapco.com/products/ar/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=350) worth it to have something in the range bag? Is there a brand again that’s better?

[cjmore]

If you are only going to build one or two it is really not worth the investment. You will not recoup the cost.
Having it professionally assembled will cost less than the tooling.

I know somebody if your interested[pick-me][Coffee]


Yeah you're on the hook now!! Thank you for the offer and I'll take you up on it!

[XC700116]

Yeah I build stuff for fun, so my tool box is not something I look at as a sunk cost., nor is it something you carry around.

One of the reasons I asked about the brand of tool being "better" ie I'm going to purchase and want something that will last.

Besides basics tools – What specialty tools do you need to assemble an AR?


Here’s what I’ve gathered thus far:
1 – Ar-15 Vise Block
2 – Drive Pin Punch Set (starrett)
3 – Roll Pin Punches (Mayhew steel)
4 – Roll Pin Holders
5 – Bolt Catch Pin Punch
6 – AR-15 Stock Wrench
7 – Pivot Pin Detent Install Tool
8 – Take down Pin Tool
9 – Headspace gauge

Are the all in 1 tools like a Tapco Intrafuse AR Armorer's Tool (http://tapco.com/products/ar/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=350) worth it to have something in the range bag? Is there a brand again that’s better?

I have that exact one and it's working fine. I had a DPMS one and broke the tooth off it that's used for the Castle Nut on the buffer tube. The Tapco seems much better.

[BPTactical]

The best one is the Smith Enterprise(I believe) USMC marked armorers tool. Wicked strong. I use a dedicated castle nut wrench that is from DPMS IIRC. It has 3 square contact points for the castle nut as opposed to the round single pin of the multi tools, it won't slip or munge up the castle nut.

[XC700116]

The best one is the Smith Enterprise(I believe) USMC marked armorers tool. Wicked strong. I use a dedicated castle nut wrench that is from DPMS IIRC. It has 3 square contact points for the castle nut as opposed to the round single pin of the multi tools, it won't slip or munge up the castle nut.


The separate wrenches were what I was leaning toward as well until I found the Tapco one as it has the 3 pts of contact on the castle nut as well. It's a much better setup for a multi tool than the DPMS version. I'm generally not a huge fan of the multi tool design in any tools, but for the amount of guns I build, it's sufficient. If I were doing it as part of my profession, I'd definately be looking at higher quality single use tools.

[cjmore]

Good Info Fellas - That's what I'm taking about