Point me to an AR tool list

[Tom-NJ2AS 31]

I have searched but on my phone nothing really comes up. Was looking at a wheeler ar professional tool kit but I don't want to buy tools I may not need. I have not bought my first part for my build yet. It will be the Nj2AS lower if we get the go ahead on it. So does anyone have a good place that has a list of tools needed with which brands are best?

 

Thanks

 

 

 

 

 

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[mrg455 6]

http://www.brownells.com/UserDocs/Miscellaneous/ARCLform.pdf

 

scroll to the end of the list.

[NYMetsFan86 9]

http://www.brownells.com/UserDocs/Miscellaneous/ARCLform.pdf

 

scroll to the end of the list.

 

My favorite PDF for planning builds

[Tom-NJ2AS 31]

I'll check it out. Do they sell all the tools as a kit?

 

 

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[Vlad G 345]

Why buy it as a kit, instead of picking the tools you need when you need them instead of bundled stuff you might never use?

[Tom-NJ2AS 31]

I thought that was a list of every tool I would need to build one

 

 

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[Handyman 5,682]

+1 Brownells. They are not cheap, but you should find everything you need there.

[chris327 30]

Why buy it as a kit, instead of picking the tools you need when you need them instead of bundled stuff you might never use?

I made that mistake of buying everything on brownells.list. I had several things still in the package when I was done. If your in north jersey you can borrow what u need.

[djg0770 481]

If your in north jersey you can borrow what u need.

 

He's in TR. (Central) but he can probably still borrow what he needs regardless.

 

Maybe someone will give you a bare minimum quantity of tools, followed by a "it would be nice to have", followed further by a "and if you have Bill Gates' money" list.

[Tom-NJ2AS 31]

He's in TR. (Central) but he can probably still borrow what he needs regardless.

 

Maybe someone will give you a bare minimum quantity of tools, followed by a "it would be nice to have", followed further by a "and if you have Bill Gates' money" list.

 

you are right. I don't mind buying tools I know I will use. I think the minimum and nice to have list would be good for me. Haha

 

 

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[vladtepes 1,060]

I bought an ar15 armorer's wrench.. everything else I did with common house hold tools.. 

[Tom-NJ2AS 31]

I bought an ar15 armorer's wrench.. everything else I did with common house hold tools..

I'll have to print out and look at the list. I may have a lot of them already.

 

 

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[JackDaWack 2,895]

I bought an ar15 armorer's wrench.. everything else I did with common house hold tools.. 

If you have no tools the bare minimum would be the armorers wrench, vice, upper vice block and a cheap set of punches. The vice and block are really only for one thing and thats the barrel. I built my AR with nothing more then those tools.

[djg0770 481]

If you have no tools the bare minimum would be the armorers wrench, vice, upper vice block and a cheap set of punches. The vice and block are really only for one thing and thats the barrel. I built my AR with nothing more then those tools.

 

So if you bought a complete upper you wouldn't need the viSe and block?

[JackDaWack 2,895]

So if you bought a complete upper you wouldn't need the viSe and block?

Correct. The upper vise block gives you the leverage you need to torque the barrel nut on/off, also helps with a muzzle device but that's a moot point in NJ. Everything else basically pops on or screws together. It's really a must for barrel attachment and absolutely necessary for removal. You can also get away with not using a lower block pretty easily although it may be easier to assembly with one since the castle nut requires little torque, but i have never used one and never found it difficult.

[vladtepes 1,060]

if you are not doing the upper you can build the gun in your lap... 

[chris327 30]

I made the mistake of ordering a lower vise block. It's still in the package. The upper block I used for installing the foward assist as well as the barrel. Thats all its really needed for. And my lowers I.did in my lap.

[Tom-NJ2AS 31]

What would be joe advantage of not doing my own upper. If any

 

 

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[chris327 30]

I think alot of people think its more difficult or dont want to buy the tools. Your going to need a barrel wrench and torque wrench vise and block.

[Tom-NJ2AS 31]

Roger that. Thanks

 

 

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[chris327 30]

Dont let that scare you though. I liked building an upper. Its actually easier than a lower imo.

[Tom-NJ2AS 31]

Oh it won't. The more challenging to me the better!

 

 

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[302w 83]

You need a punch set as well. I also cheated and used a barrel wrench with a torque wrench and left it at that to assemble my upper. 

 

Its been awhile but I may have used vise grips to install my bolt catch.

[chris327 30]

You need a punch set as well. I also cheated and used a barrel wrench with a torque wrench and left it at that to assemble my upper. 

 

Its been awhile but I may have used vise grips to install my bolt catch.

there is a tool from brownells to make the bolt catch easier to install. i had it but didnt realize on my first build and didnt use it. The next lower i built i used and it made it simple.

[n4p226r 105]

i've done a few lowers myself.  both mine and with friends.  there is a few differences between what i think i NEED vs what i'd like to have doing more.  

 

 

for the lower.  i generally think the following tools are what i would have.  

 

1.  i used a razor blade and an allen wrench for the front pivot pin install

2.  use a correct size punch for the trigger guard

3.  use a correct size punch for the bolt catch lever pin (i prefer to start this with a roll pin starter punch)

4.  for the castle nut you need a wrench.  i also have a torque wrench and a magazine well block and a vice to put it all in as its way easier than torquing it down in your lap

5.  stake the castle nut with the $10 home depot automatic punch tool.  

6.  long screwdriver for grip screw.  need some leverage on that sucker sometimes, especially if there is any loctite on the screw

7.  brass hammer

 

 

i haven't built an upper yet but it seems you'd need a punch for the forward assist, vice,  upper vice block or geissele rod, torque wrench, barrel nut grease, and a barrel nut wrench for whatever type of barrel nut you are using.  something to weld on a brake.  and some way to pin the gas block.  

[JackDaWack 2,895]

Painters tape goes a long way while installing the bolt catch.

[n4p226r 105]

i actually found i like a thin piece of cardboard on both sides.  the pin punches with the rounded top are nice too.  and the longer the thin part of the punch the better

 

 

 

PS.  if a mod reads this, i think i accidentally reported it instead of hitting the quote button.  

[High Exposure 5,661]

Here is the recommended tool list handed out at Colt Armorer School:

 

 

The part numbers listed correspond to Brownell's.

 

It's a great list if you at working on a lot of guns, or planning on building more than a couple. You can do most work on an AR with minimal tools, but the ones listed above make life much easier.