BigAl 10 Posted January 23, 2017 Is there a kit that can be purchased of tools that are needed to build an AR? If not, what is needed, other than a vise? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vicious 138 Posted January 23, 2017 I don't know about a kit, but you need a torque wrench, 2 pin punches, an armorer's wrench, brass/ polymer hammer, and an upper vice block. I have the Magpul upper vice thing and armorer's wrench and they are awesome. Hand guards that don't use the standard barrel nut will probably require a different wrench, but you still need the torque wrench. Most will come with the proprietary wrench. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T Bill 649 Posted January 23, 2017 If you get an armor's wrench and a vice block, then the rest can be accomplished with standard tools. Hammer, pliers, punch, drift, screwdriver, tweezers, utility knife, allen key set. Think that's about it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
louu 399 Posted January 23, 2017 Yup, just like vicious says nothing special at all except for the wrench and the block. I use these two. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/123930/pri-barrel-nut-wrench-ar-15 https://www.midwayusa.com/product/210021/wheeler-engineering-delta-series-upper-receiver-vise-block-clamp-ar-15 and don't forget the 90 degree rule as seen here 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnnyB 4,289 Posted January 23, 2017 Cabela's has a nice all inclusive kit and it's on sale. http://www.cabelas.com/product/WHEELER-AR-ARMORERS-KIT/2344370.uts?searchPath=%2Fbrowse.cmd%3FcategoryId%3D734095080%26CQ_search%3Dar%2Barmorers%26CQ_st%3Db Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
louu 399 Posted January 23, 2017 Sorry tbill I guess we posted at the same time. Also don't forget to grease up the threads before installing the barrel nut. Hipsters use areoshell but any ordinary axle grease or even anti seize will work Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Schrödinger's cat 87 Posted January 24, 2017 As mentioned for a lower no tools are needed. I put together a lower in about 20 minutes the other night. I used electrical tape, channel locks, needle nose pliers, an armorers wrench and a long hex bit. I had mine on a socket wrench but you can use a screwdriver with a extension. Some screws for the pistol grip actually come with a philips screw. A vise and vise block will make it easier but it's not necessary. I will admit to making an amatuers scratch on my lower even with tape on my plier. I was trying to get the bolt release pin in just a little further and the pliers slipped. That has not happened to me before though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vicious 138 Posted January 24, 2017 As mentioned for a lower no tools are needed. I put together a lower in about 20 minutes the other night. I used electrical tape, channel locks, needle nose pliers, an armorers wrench and a long hex bit. I had mine on a socket wrench but you can use a screwdriver with a extension. Some screws for the pistol grip actually come with a philips screw. A vise and vise block will make it easier but it's not necessary. I will admit to making an amatuers scratch on my lower even with tape on my plier. I was trying to get the bolt release pin in just a little further and the pliers slipped. That has not happened to me before though. I feel like adjustable pliers are the only way to put the pins in the mag catch and trigger guard without boogering the lower up. I use electrical tape around the end of my pliers. It helps to steady the pins without mushrooming them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Indianajonze 379 Posted January 24, 2017 i've been slowly building by ar tools over time. started with a nice 4.5" vise, then added roll pin punches, pin punches, hammer, mallet, geissele reaction block and reaction rod, grease, etc. it's been pretty fun gathering it all actually. some stuff i paid a ton for (geissele), other stuff was dirt cheap (harbor freight is your friend) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
High Exposure 5,635 Posted January 24, 2017 This is the tool list that Colt recommends at their AR Armorer course: By no means is it necessary to get every item here. I used an old Leatherman Multitool, a paper clip, channel locks, and a red gun not too long ago to put together a lower for a coworker. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slab Sides 20 Posted January 24, 2017 3pc armorers set, punch set, long allen key, front sight tool. Everything else just regular handtools. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigAl 10 Posted January 24, 2017 Thanks for all the recommendations, gents! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigAl 10 Posted January 25, 2017 Do you guys think this is overkill? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TACD77C?psc=1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Purple Patrick 638 Posted January 25, 2017 I have a similar kit by wheeler but it's only one screwdriver with like 50 different buts with maybe 10 punches and a hammer. I'd look for that one this signature exceeds the 15 character capacity count Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blksheep 466 Posted January 25, 2017 I work on em almost everyday. I use like 2 tools most times. Punch and a flathead screw driver. I have whole armorer kits with a hitch mounted vice for my truck and a reaction rod/upper vice block. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
High Exposure 5,635 Posted January 26, 2017 I work on em almost everyday. I use like 2 tools most times. Punch and a flathead screw driver. I have whole armorer kits with a hitch mounted vice for my truck and a reaction rod/upper vice block. I went out and bought a reaction rod right after the last time I saw you. Used it for a few guns now. Works great! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Schrödinger's cat 87 Posted January 26, 2017 I really want a reaction rod and BEV block. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blksheep 466 Posted January 26, 2017 I went out and bought a reaction rod right after the last time I saw you. Used it for a few guns now. Works great! Lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
n4p226r 105 Posted January 26, 2017 ive built a few guns. here is what i found i like to have. 1. starter punch set https://www.amazon.com/Grace-USA-Gunsmithing-Gunsmith-Accessories/dp/B00O6HHCOA/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1485442985&sr=1-2&keywords=grace+roll+pin+holder 2. second set of punches that have the little nipple on the end. https://www.amazon.com/Grace-USA-Gunsmithing-Gunsmith-Accessories/dp/B007WADKN0/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1485443015&sr=1-2&keywords=grace+roll+pin+punch 3. for the front pivot pin detent i use one of these in a size that works well http://www.globalspec.com/ImageRepository/LearnMore/20124/imageseb822a836d134927a8f3700a39625206.png 4. a torque wrench 5. a armorers tool 6. brass hammer 7. mag block 8. vice 9. reaction rod 10. center punch spring loaded http://www.homedepot.com/p/General-Tools-Hardened-Steel-Center-Punch-89/202025674 11. aeroshell 33ms 12. screwdriver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slab Sides 20 Posted January 26, 2017 Do you guys think this is overkill? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TACD77C?psc=1 I like to buy tools as I need them, not so much big sets like that. I might only use 2-3 of those tools. You can find the 3pc armorers set on Ebay for ~$40, punch set under $10, front sight tool under $10. I have a small dedicated tool box for guns, whenever I need a specific tool it gets tossed in the box. Don't forget to buy an AR cleaning kit or at least the brush if you have other kits. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shooter28 153 Posted January 26, 2017 Funny. I was looking at the Cabelas catalog last night and came across these http://www.cabelas.com/product/shooting/gun-maintenance/gun-smithing|/pc/104792580/c/104814180/sc/104370480/wheeler-reg-delta-series-ar-armorer-s-professional-kit/2196563.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fgun-smithing%2F_%2FN-1102327%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104370480 or http://www.cabelas.com/product/shooting/gun-maintenance/gun-smithing|/pc/104792580/c/104814180/sc/104370480/wheeler-reg-delta-series-ar-armorer-s-essentials-kit/1530083.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fgun-smithing%2F_%2FN-1102327%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104370480 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
raz-0 1,256 Posted January 26, 2017 You'd be surprised how few tools you can get away with you'll need a barrel nut wrench appropriate for the barrel nut you wind up with, which can depend on the forearm chosen. You will also need something to hold the upper while tightening said nut. That tool will likely require some sort of vice. Beyond that it becomes increasingly fungible. You can make do with surprisingly few "real" ar tools. This is currently my upper holding device of choice: http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/rifle-tools/barrel-tools/ar-15-m16-barrel-extension-torque-tool-sku080000637-27452-53686.aspx?sku=080000637 This is my current "gunsmithing" vice (I have a set of barrel vice "v-block" jaws to go with it) https://www.amazon.com/Shop-Fox-D3125-Parrot-Vise/dp/B0000DD4ZU Roll pin starter punches are nice this set are increadibly cheap and nicely made https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QO2XGRW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Roll pin punches are nice too (amazon has plenty) Amazon really has a solid collection of tools for this these days. If you go that route, set up amazon smile and pick the second amendment foundation or one of the other RKBA groups available for it and do your order via smile to get them a donation with no cost to you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
louu 399 Posted December 9, 2017 Anyone have a reaction rod I can borrow in south jersey for a minute. I got a new upper and it has a hump on the side so my regular vise block won't work. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MichaelDiggs 29 Posted December 10, 2017 I have a very bad compulsive disorder with buying tools. I literally have a mechanics garage with just about every tool you can think of besides a wheel balancer for tires. I don't have a pit, but I was thinking about it. Here are just some pictures of the tools that were hanging around in the kitchen no less. I also took a couple shots of the rifle bags I use. They are both fantastic. I use the gray one for now, but will switch to the black one as well. The black one can hold 2 AR's and has hidden pockets for 2 pistols. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1563621 388 Posted December 10, 2017 2 hours ago, MichaelDiggs said: I have a very bad compulsive disorder with buying tools. I literally have a mechanics garage with just about every tool you can think of besides a wheel balancer for tires. I don't have a pit, but I was thinking about it. Here are just some pictures of the tools that were hanging around in the kitchen no less. I also took a couple shots of the rifle bags I use. They are both fantastic. I use the gray one for now, but will switch to the black one as well. The black one can hold 2 AR's and has hidden pockets for 2 pistols. nice setup! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
silverado427 10,552 Posted December 11, 2017 On 1/23/2017 at 6:30 PM, Vicious said: I don't know about a kit, but you need a torque wrench, 2 pin punches, an armorer's wrench, brass/ polymer hammer, and an upper vice block. I have the Magpul upper vice thing and armorer's wrench and they are awesome. Hand guards that don't use the standard barrel nut will probably require a different wrench, but you still need the torque wrench. Most will come with the proprietary wrench. You forgot a vice to put the upper vice block clamp in. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vicious 138 Posted December 12, 2017 1 hour ago, silverado427 said: You forgot a vice to put the upper vice block clamp in. Lol, yes. Yes I did. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites