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Posted: 11/16/2008 2:54:44 PM EDT
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This past weekend I watched a man put together a lower and on the bolt catch and the trigger guard the man used a some type of roll pin holder to get the roll pin started. Does anyone know where I can get one and the correct size? also I have a normal punch set are the roll pin punches easier to use? if so what size and where do I get them?
Thanks foe the help. he made those steps look so easy with those holders 
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It's called the tape trick, and my camera is dead.
Take a short piece of masking tape, you don't need much, and center the roll pin in the center of a standard punch. run the tape around the pin and punch, holding them together. When you're driving in the roll pin, the tape will scrunch out of the way and keep the anodizing from getting scarred. You also want to use the masking tape to tape along the side of the receiver when installing the bolt release. protects the receiver. having a lower receiver block and a vise helps. Or, buy the roll pin punches you need at brownells Brownells |
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Put away the tape. This is probably what he used. It's what I use and it comes in very handy. You can't see it in the picture but each end of the punch has a hole which holds the pin.
Punch |
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Quoted:
It's called the tape trick, and my camera is dead. Take a short piece of masking tape, you don't need much, and center the roll pin in the center of a standard punch. run the tape around the pin and punch, holding them together. When you're driving in the roll pin, the tape will scrunch out of the way and keep the anodizing from getting scarred. You also want to use the masking tape to tape along the side of the receiver when installing the bolt release. protects the receiver. having a lower receiver block and a vise helps. Or, buy the roll pin punches you need at brownells Brownells I have that set and the metal is pretty soft. Already bent one of them... |
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Anytime I can use a penny's worth of tape to keep from buying an eight dollar punch, I'll do so.
Most folks are building one or two guns, and end up with a bunch of tools that they seldom need. I learned this trick from a USAF armorer, as a field expedient to keep from having to buy a one time use punch for a build. There's also using a pair of taped / padded vice grips as a method. I've built many this way, and have had great success with it. |
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Quoted:
Anytime I can use a penny's worth of tape to keep from buying an eight dollar punch, I'll do so. Most folks are building one or two guns, and end up with a bunch of tools that they seldom need. I learned this trick from a USAF armorer, as a field expedient to keep from having to buy a one time use punch for a build. There's also using a pair of taped / padded vice grips as a method. I've built many this way, and have had great success with it. I agree. |
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Built my first lower Saturday night... for the two roll pins I had to deal with, tape and a roll pin punch were all I used
I posted a question about these also, you can buy them at Brownells - would need two sizes for the bolt catch release and the trigger guard pins Mine came out fine, used blue tape for the base and 100 mph / duct tape over that, no scratches and it was easy to start and tap home - and I have big hands Building my 20" tomorrow when I get back from Del-ton...expect the same |
Here is how I did it. 10 times in a row and no problems:
That is a standard Craftsman punch. The roll pin is taped to the end of the punch. I tried the Vice-Grip method. I didn't like it as much as the punch. It is hard to get enough tape in place to prevent scratches and still keep it in place to do the work. |
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Another good idea! I just finished my first build and without this forum and all the tips and tricks I could see where it would (could) be a real PITA. My build was as smooth as silk because of all the advice offered here and much appreciated. The one
using the clevis pin for the install of the pivot pin was great, a 25 cent tool...gotta love it. Thanks for everything offered on here and taking the time to share Regards Midlength 
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I was really stressed out over the trigger-guard roll pin, having seen several posts about people breaking off the lower ear. I tried the vise-grip method, and it didn't work too well for me. I then used a small c-clamp, with a penny between the clamp and the pin, and pressed the pin in very slowly. Worked great.
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