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5/29/2015 1:18:41 PM EDT
I'm getting ready to start my complete build. I've done lowers but never an upper.

What do I need to have that I don't have listed?

Loctite?

Here's what I have:
Little crow gun works roll pin pusher
Little crow gun works bolt catch tool
AR armours tool
Pivot pin install tool
Aeroshell grease

Thanks guys
5/29/2015 2:24:34 PM EDT
[#1]
Quoted:
I'm getting ready to start my complete build. I've done lowers but never an upper.

What do I need to have that I don't have listed?

Loctite?

Here's what I have:
Little crow gun works roll pin pusher
Little crow gun works bolt catch tool
AR armours tool
Pivot pin install tool
Aeroshell grease

Thanks guys
View Quote


Just built my first AR and all i used was a 1/16 punch, hammer, and a pair of pliers and it went perfectly fine.  You don't need anything extravagant.
5/29/2015 2:31:20 PM EDT
[#2]
Quote History
Quoted:


Just built my first AR and all i used was a 1/16 punch, hammer, and a pair of pliers and it went perfectly fine.  You don't need anything extravagant.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
I'm getting ready to start my complete build. I've done lowers but never an upper.

What do I need to have that I don't have listed?

Loctite?

Here's what I have:
Little crow gun works roll pin pusher
Little crow gun works bolt catch tool
AR armours tool
Pivot pin install tool
Aeroshell grease

Thanks guys


Just built my first AR and all i used was a 1/16 punch, hammer, and a pair of pliers and it went perfectly fine.  You don't need anything extravagant.



What about loctite for the gas block?
5/29/2015 5:04:39 PM EDT
[#3]
Bueller Bueller
5/29/2015 5:35:09 PM EDT
[#4]
Don't use loctite on the gas block.  Do this...

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NufnAnjxQlE[/youtube]

Loctite might help, but this might help better.

Even better would be to get a micropin or pinblock gas block and pin the block on.  

But, it's best to put it together and make sure it runs right before you pin a gas block because you may find that you need an adjustable gas block.
5/29/2015 5:38:29 PM EDT
[#5]
Loctite ? WTF ?

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=11004/GunTechdetail/How-to-Build-An-AR-15-Video

To this add the following...

Use the approved moly grease on the barrel threads
Use barrel blocks when working on a muzzle device.
5/29/2015 5:49:45 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote History
Quoted:
Loctite ? WTF ?

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=11004/GunTechdetail/How-to-Build-An-AR-15-Video

To this add the following...

Use the approved moly grease on the barrel threads
Use barrel blocks when working on a muzzle device.
View Quote



I wasn't sure about the set screws. After checking with the mfg I will not be using loctite.

I forgot to put that I have a vise block and reaction rod for the muzzle device.
5/31/2015 12:13:56 AM EDT
[#7]
I built my upper. "My first build and first AR ever" with a vise and two wood scraps I used to clamp upper into vise for free float barrel nut. Got the free loaner torque wrench from Auto Z Store.
Allen wrench for the two set screws in my gas block.


Took my leather belt off and wrapped around barrel to keep from scratching it when I clamped the barrel down in the vise  to put my flash hider on.

So upper

1. Vice and block of your choosing

2. Torque Wrench

3. Something to secure barrel for muzzle device install.




The lower I built on my lap on the living room floor with 1 hammer, 1 punch and Allen wrench for moe grip screw.
5/31/2015 9:13:16 AM EDT
[#8]
LocTite is for scope ring screws.  Gas blocks that have set screw attachments don't benefit from thread locker, since they will get hot enough to soften almost all thread lockers.  You can stake the set screws with a punch and that will do just fine.

"Proper" roll pin starters and punches are almost the only "special" tools you'll need for building ARs.  You do need a good, solid vise, with at least 4" wide jaws.  You'll need a barrel vise jaw set, both for installing barrels on upper receivers and for installing muzzle devices on barrels - you hold the barrel near the chamber to install it on the upper, and you hold it near the muzzle to install muzzle devices.  (Yes, you can get away with other techniques that hold the upper itself when installing barrels, but it's both better and easier to use a vise that holds the barrel.)

You'll need access to a torque wrench to install barrel nuts, and the appropriate wrench for the nut you're using - standard or the "special" nuts that go with various special rail systems.  I use Harbor Freight click-style torque wrenches.  I check calibration before use, and unload the adjustments before I put them away, so these inexpensive wrenches have just kept on clicking for me - accurately too.

Really the most important tool you'll need is a copy of the most current version of the military Technical Manual, TM 9-1005-319-23&P.  It has clear, well illustrated instructions for building, disassembling, and repairing the AR platform, and it's written very simply.  It's hard to go wrong by following the steps in this book, but you need to read the whole procedure before you start, so you know where you're going and how you're getting there.  I used this book when I built my first AR in 1984, and I use it (with appropriate adaptations for non-standard gun parts) every time I build a rifle or upper.
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