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Posted: 6/24/2007 8:14:42 PM EDT
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For me, this is always the most PITA of a build. Today, a Stag gave so much grief...I broke two punches trying to get a pin out and ended up mushrooming it. Are there any puches that are really quality? I have tried BravoCo's and some from Home Cheepo and have broken both on taper pin removal. Also, how does that Jig work from Brownells, OK or not worth it? Thanks |
| Try using some higher quality tools, I've thought about buying those "AR punches or roll pin punch sets" but was worried they might break. So i ended up buying some punches from Snap-on and Matco, No problem so far and their life time warranty ! You could try Craftsman too i believe there punches are warranty. |
| Hey Chewy. I've been told that Stags taper pins drive out from the right to the left, direction while rifle shouldered/firing position LINK. This is the exact opposite from Bushmaster and others. As for Punches get a set of Craftsman from Sears they have a lifetime replacement warranty and are $10 for a set. Also when driving out taper pins start with a large punch to get the pin to move then once flush with the FSB then switch to the proper size punch. |
+1 on all that. FSBs can be a beeotch. |
Cool. So that is a big press? |
It's a Kurt Vise with a special set of jaws that I made up. The Vise runs around $400, but you can get chinese knock-offs for $200 that would work fine for this job. ebay link to a good used Kurt vise. 
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Craftsman 5 piece Punch set $9.99 guaranteed forever free replacement. Craftsman Roll pin punch set $19.99 guaranteed forever free replacement. I've built all rifles with the first set just fine. 
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This is basically what i came up with to do them also. Except, i tried a screw at first, but ended up using a piece out of an extra VZ-61 Skorpion cleaning kit. Just couldn't find the right curse word to make one of the pins budge. the vise did the job. |
The screw worked for a short while until I did a stag. Then I made a sleeve that slides on the screw and lets me tighten the screw firmly into place. No more problems with the screw bending after that. 
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+2 on the Sears punches |
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Eh, I just warm the FSB up with a propane torch. Even the most stubborn pins (Stag) knock right out. You need to be careful not to get the barrel so hot as to anneal it. I spent a good hour banging on the pins to no avail. About 5 seconds with the torch and another 5 seconds to line up the punch and "PING" the pin dropped right out with one whack of the mallet. |
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