Gathering the essential tools for my first build from scratch, what am I forgetting? - Page 1

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Gathering the essential tools for my first build from scratch, what am I forgetting?

Posted: 9/16/2018 4:23:17 PM EDT

Armorers wrench
upper and lower vise blocks
roll pin punch set
Takedown/pivot pin tools

Of course Brownell's AR-15/M16 CRITICAL TOOLS KIT was out of stock like everything else I need when I shop there, so I had to gather it all up on Amazon. That worked in my favor as it ended up being cheaper by about $10 but I couldn't find the action block on amazon is it really a must have?

I already have the allens and punch dies and torque wrench covered.

Bought two stripped lowers from Primary Arms blow out and watched this video. Seems easy enough to me.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8sY5CQmlHI

Posted: 9/16/2018 4:45:35 PM EDT

[#1]

Takedown/pivot pin tools

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You don't need these. Get a 2x1/4" clevis pin at the hardware store. Might set ya back a buck.

Posted: 9/16/2018 5:08:33 PM EDT

[#2]

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Quoted:
You don't need these. Get a 2x1/4" clevis pin at the hardware store. Might set ya back a buck.

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Thanks. Deleted that from the cart.

Posted: 9/16/2018 6:19:49 PM EDT

[#3]

Upper receiver vice blocks are a thing of the past. > https://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/MI-Upper-Receiver-Rod-p/mi-urr.htm

Posted: 9/16/2018 6:32:37 PM EDT

[#4]

I would add a quality 6 or 8 oz brass mallet, a set of regular punches, and a good gunsmith screwdriver set to the list. A spare A4 carry handle also helps when trying to align top rails between upper and free float hand guards. Depending on the design of the handguard, this may or may not be needed.

Posted: 9/16/2018 6:57:20 PM EDT

[#5]

Tekton makes a nice punch set for firearms for like $40

Posted: 9/16/2018 7:05:57 PM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:
Upper receiver vice blocks are a thing of the past. > https://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/MI-Upper-Receiver-Rod-p/mi-urr.htm

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Cool, but for 2/3s the cost I can get both the upper and lower vise blocks. (and did)

Posted: 9/16/2018 7:11:20 PM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Quoted:
I would add a quality 6 or 8 oz brass mallet, a set of regular punches, and a good gunsmith screwdriver set to the list. A spare A4 carry handle also helps when trying to align top rails between upper and free float hand guards. Depending on the design of the handguard, this may or may not be needed.

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Brass mallet I already have, as well as regular punch set and two drawers of screwdrivers, everything from jewelers, to huge. I only have a couple of roll pin punches, so this was as good a time as any to get a full set.

Posted: 9/16/2018 7:12:10 PM EDT

[#8]

*sigh* - I guess I need to start buying a bunch of tool, too.

Posted: 9/16/2018 7:32:29 PM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:
*sigh* - I guess I need to start buying a bunch of tool, too.

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Me too

Posted: 9/16/2018 8:37:50 PM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
Me too

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Quoted:

Quoted:
*sigh* - I guess I need to start buying a bunch of tool, too.

Me too

I wouldn't consider $70 bucks worth of tools "a bunch". Punches, receiver blocks, and an armorers wrench.

Posted: 9/16/2018 8:39:28 PM EDT

[#11]

I would suggest a Magpul Bev block over the traditional receiver clamps. It allows you to work on both upper and lower and is pretty stout.

I would also get some aeroshell 33ms and good quality armorer's wrench (not the cheapo versions).

Posted: 9/16/2018 11:38:19 PM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:
Cool, but for 2/3s the cost I can get both the upper and lower vise blocks. (and did)

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View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Upper receiver vice blocks are a thing of the past. > https://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/MI-Upper-Receiver-Rod-p/mi-urr.htm

Cool, but for 2/3s the cost I can get both the upper and lower vise blocks. (and did)

Well, I tried. At least I didn't recommend the expensive ones this time.

Posted: 9/16/2018 11:54:44 PM EDT

[#13]

hammers

Posted: 9/17/2018 3:21:41 AM EDT

[#14]

Assume you have a decent bench vise already.

The bolt catch pin is probably the most difficult pin to start and remove. This makes it easy to get the pin started (and to remove if needed) without marring the receiver finish - Wheeler 710906 Engineering Bolt Catch Install Tool Kit

Posted: 9/17/2018 3:30:30 AM EDT

[#15]

A propane torch can help.
Get extra detents, roll pins, and springs from brownells or midway.
Masking tape or tuct tape.
Vise grip.

Posted: 9/17/2018 9:49:27 PM EDT

[#16]

No one has mentioned knipex pliers with the jaws covered with electrical tape.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q11mziNfzmc

Posted: 9/17/2018 10:07:56 PM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:

I wouldn't consider $70 bucks worth of tools "a bunch". Punches, receiver blocks, and an armorers wrench.

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I gotta get a bench vise too. It's not a bunch, but it's just other shit you don't think about when you're shopping for parts.

Posted: 9/18/2018 12:43:47 PM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:
No one has mentioned knipex pliers with the jaws covered with electrical tape.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q11mziNfzmc

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I almost did yesterday

Thats what I use

Posted: 9/18/2018 2:41:47 PM EDT

[#19]

I have seen too many uppers with "clam" marks so when it came time for me to get a receiver block
I got a BevBlock it,s a great tool.

I bought an actually great vise at Lowes last year.
It,s got a 5in. jaw, will run vertical or horizontal left or right and also totally upside down.
Has pipe jaws and square rod jaws on bottom side. It was 69 bucks.

Buy a good brass or rubber hammer and roll-pin punches to go with a regular punch set.

Posted: 9/25/2018 9:50:07 PM EDT

[#20]

What's missing from this LPK packet?

Attached File

If you guessed roll pin, spring, and plunger, you guessed correctly.

Now I get to wait for PSA to make it right before I can continue.

Posted: 9/25/2018 10:24:35 PM EDT

[#21]

Moving along, I figure I can assemble the rest of the lower while I wait for PSA, but I find that the magpul grip is smaller than the lower.

Attached File

The lower receiver is 0.380

Attached File

What am I missing? I'm a noob at this, but this grip should just slide on shouldn't it?

Posted: 9/26/2018 4:02:15 AM EDT

[#22]

the pistol grips I've installed, usually are a very tight fit, I count on the plastic flexing a little as I wrestle it on. not really a slip-fit. if you can wrestle it on, then it's the right size.

headspace gages.

Posted: 9/26/2018 9:30:55 AM EDT

[#23]

Magpul grips are tight. Believe it or not, the older ones were worse.

A1 and A2 grips are usually a perfect fit.

Posted: 9/26/2018 11:24:52 AM EDT

[#24]

I decided to delete this post........

Posted: 9/26/2018 4:15:56 PM EDT

[#25]

Quote History

Quoted:

Cool, but for 2/3s the cost I can get both the upper and lower vise blocks. (and did)

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If you ever decide to use billet uppers, some upper's exterior dimensions won't fit properly inside clamshell upper blocks. Some handguards such as LaRue's quad rail cannot be attached with the receiver in a clamshell block without modifying the clamshells.

For those I use a Magpul BEV block. Like the motion rods, it locks into barrel extension, so the barrel doesn't rotate while the barrel not is being tightened.

Cool thing about the BEV block is it could be used for either upper or lower receiver.