Armorer's Kit, what's needed?

[hdrolling]

Now that I have a couple complete AR's I want to start building. I have plenty of novice tools for cars trucks and I mostly work on Harley's.

Are the complete Armorer's Kits like the Wheeler Engineering packages all I need to assemble a lower and upper?

Are there better quality complete Armorer's Kit out there or is it better to build from scratch from different makers? I know most of this comes down to personal preference.

I'm trying to avoid buying a bunch of stuff I'll never need or use and get quality tools that will last being used over and over.

While searching the subject I've read quite a few posts from members here and on other forums damaging their weapons from not using the correct tool, trying to avoid that.

If you were just getting into building what tools would you get and by who?

What tools do you use the most, mag well vise, punches, Armorer's Wrench......

Any help on what to pick up and what to stay away from would be great, Thanks.

[556Cliff]

First off, don't watch any AR15 assembly videos on YouTube for anything other than a guide of what not to do.

Also, don't buy armorer's kits, most of the tools included in them are not very good.


The best barrel wrenches for standard barrel nuts are the ones from 2UniqueLLC, don't bother with anything else. > http://www.2uniquellc.com/_p/prd5/19...rel-nut-wrench - http://www.2uniquellc.com/_p/prd5/24...l-wrench-plate

A mag well vise block is handy for installing triggers.

For installing/removing receiver extensions I prefer to clamp the lower in the Vise with a set of these. > http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-to...s-prod923.aspx

Barrel blocks for installing/removing muzzle devises. > http://www.btibrands.com/product/uni...-barrel-clamp/

I currently use the Geissele Super Reaction Rod for installing barrels but I will be buying the 2UniqueLLC barreling jig when it is finally made available.

Most all of the punches needed are available from brownells but these ones specifically make installing and removing the bolt catch a breeze. > https://rguns.net/shop/r-guns-role-pin-punch/ - https://rguns.net/shop/r-guns-extended-role-pin-punch/ - http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-to...prod26484.aspx

I use this punch for installing taper pins. > http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-to...prod26485.aspx

I use this punch for staking end plates. > http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-to...prod26486.aspx

This punch is made for staking end plates though. > https://www.hkparts.net/shop/pc/HK-4...-HK-p16945.htm

These bench blocks are used for trigger guard and FSB work, don't get the Brownells FSB bench block because it sucks. > https://rguns.net/shop/r-guns-barrelreceiver-block-set/

Bolt vise. > http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-to...prod34719.aspx

The MOACKS Plain is the best for staking carrier key screws, I have three of them. > http://www.m-guns.com/tools.php

I use this Wheeler screwdriver set and it's been good so far. > http://www.btibrands.com/product/pro...ver-set-89-pc/

I consider this to be one of the best stock wrenches. > http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-to...prod27454.aspx

This is my Vise of choice, I love it. > http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/to...h-throat-depth

Torque tools. > https://store.snapon.com/US-Torque-I...e-P891699.aspx - https://store.snapon.com/US-Torque-I...e-P640949.aspx - http://www.toolsdelivered.com/CDI-40...cro-Adjustable


I think that's a good start and it avoids all of the junk tools that I have gone through over the years to get to this point.

[hdrolling]

TQ wrenches and a vice I'm good on, most of the other stuff you posted I'll have to research because I had no idea I would need that stuff. Good info, keep it coming.

[26 Inf]

This is what I have:

4 inch bench vise - Wilton @ Home Depot (after moving it on my bench several times I finally put it on a wooden mount I made from scrap pieces of 2x6 and 2x10 which I can clamp to the bench if needed)

5 inch floor mounted vise - harbor freight

Generic Mag well vise block (off Amazon)

Generic Upper receiver block (off Amazon)

Knock-off reaction rod (Botach)

DPMS armorers wrench

beam style foot pounds torque wrench

click style inch pounds torque wrench

Starret long shaft 3/32 1/8 5/32 pin punches (flat head –got them after first armorer course still going strong)

Grace roll pin punch set

Grace roll pin holder set (bought the Grace one’s after I bent/broke a couple from brownells)

Brownell’s Bolt catch pin punch

9/64 and 1/8 hex sockets (carrier key)

Homemade pivot pin tool

Harbor freight and Starrett automatic center punches (misplaced the Starrett for awhile)

Bondhus SAE and metric ball end hex driver sets

Regular ‘L’ ball end hex key sets in SAE and metric (harbor freight)

Wheeler deluxe gunsmith screw driver set (also have a Brownell’s set – the wheeler is better for the money IMO – you don’t need either for AR’s)

Long shaft large flatblade screw driver

Brass hammer/mallet

Small ball pein hammer (hardly use)

Medium ball pein hammer (use most)

8 oz body shop dead blow mallet (hardly use)

Plastic tipped hammer

Hockey puck with a hole drilled in it – or a fancy armorer’s block

flexible shaft dremel tool

aluma-black and cold blue

strap wrench (Ace hardware)

ETA - I have access to a MOACKS tool - otherwise I would buy one

You should note that I don't have anything to work on FSB's because I put rails and low profile gas blocks on all my builds. I'm to the point now that I don't have to buy another tool every time I put one together - LOL!

[scooter22]

Never really thought about it:

Is there a "correct" size bench vice ?


Official Kremlin Transmission

[556Cliff]

Never really thought about it:

Is there a "correct" size bench vice ?


Official Kremlin Transmission

I wouldn't go any less than four inch jaws, for ARs I don't think you really need any more than that.

[Rogue556]

If you plan on dimpling or pinning your own gas blocks, I'd also recommend the BRD Engineering dimpling jig and pinning jigs.

A heat gun is also nice to have. Some barrels tend to fit pretty snug in certain upper recievers and the heat gun allows you the clearance needed to install. (Also works for loctite on threads).

Also, a small can/tube of Aeroshell 33ms for the barrel nut threads, and a tube of Mobile grease #28 (It's the grease Geissele includes with their triggers, but works well in other areas as well like buffer tube threads, etc).

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

[556Cliff]

Also, a small can/tube of Aeroshell 33ms for the barrel nut threads, and a tube of Mobile grease #28 (It's the grease Geissele includes with their triggers, but works well in other areas as well like buffer tube threads, etc).

Why use Mobile grease #28 when the Areoshell 33ms (now Aeroshell 64) is the spec grease to use for assembly of the receiver extension?

Not that I think it matters really since Colt doesn't use either and I use TS-70 Moly Paste.

[Rogue556]

Why use Mobile grease #28 when the Areoshell 33ms (now Aeroshell 64) is the spec grease to use for assembly of the receiver extension?

Not that I think it matters really since Colt doesn't use either and I use TS-70 Moly Paste.

Oh there are plenty of alternatives (and like you said, it's not even necessarily required either way). It's just a little cheaper than the Aeroshell and since it doesn't come in smaller quantities, might as well use it. I personally use the Aeroshell for the barrel nut only and the Mobile grease for everything else, simply because I have more of it.

[Straight Shooter]

First off, don't watch any AR15 assembly videos on YouTube for anything other than a guide of what not to do.

Also, don't buy armorer's kits, most of the tools included in them are not very good.


The best barrel wrenches for standard barrel nuts are the ones from 2UniqueLLC, don't bother with anything else. > http://www.2uniquellc.com/_p/prd5/19...rel-nut-wrench - http://www.2uniquellc.com/_p/prd5/24...l-wrench-plate

A mag well vise block is handy for installing triggers.

For installing/removing receiver extensions I prefer to clamp the lower in the Vise with a set of these. > http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-to...s-prod923.aspx

Barrel blocks for installing/removing muzzle devises. > http://www.btibrands.com/product/uni...-barrel-clamp/

I currently use the Geissele Super Reaction Rod for installing barrels but I will be buying the 2UniqueLLC barreling jig when it is finally made available.

Most all of the punches needed are available from brownells but these ones specifically make installing and removing the bolt catch a breeze. > https://rguns.net/shop/r-guns-role-pin-punch/ - https://rguns.net/shop/r-guns-extended-role-pin-punch/ - http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-to...prod26484.aspx

I use this punch for installing taper pins. > http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-to...prod26485.aspx

I use this punch for staking end plates. > http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-to...prod26486.aspx

This punch is made for staking end plates though. > https://www.hkparts.net/shop/pc/HK-4...-HK-p16945.htm

These bench blocks are used for trigger guard and FSB work, don't get the Brownells FSB bench block because it sucks. > https://rguns.net/shop/r-guns-barrelreceiver-block-set/

Bolt vise. > http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-to...prod34719.aspx

The MOACKS Plain is the best for staking carrier key screws, I have three of them. > http://www.m-guns.com/tools.php

I use this Wheeler screwdriver set and it's been good so far. > http://www.btibrands.com/product/pro...ver-set-89-pc/

I consider this to be one of the best stock wrenches. > http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-to...prod27454.aspx

This is my Vise of choice, I love it. > http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/to...h-throat-depth

Torque tools. > https://store.snapon.com/US-Torque-I...e-P891699.aspx - https://store.snapon.com/US-Torque-I...e-P640949.aspx - http://www.toolsdelivered.com/CDI-40...cro-Adjustable


I think that's a good start and it avoids all of the junk tools that I have gone through over the years to get to this point.

Now THATS how to answer a question! Damn good of yall to take time to do that...you & 26Inf too.