Build tools

[Voodoochild]

So what tools would I need to build my first AR. So far I have an armorer's tool and a stock wrench. I need to pick up one of the DPMS recevier claw's but what else would I need?

[MudBug]

AR15 Punch Set

[Snake RAH]

I have:

combo wrench (Bushmaster's, but the Olympic is better)
buttstock wrench (the three lug model)
torque wrench (from Sears...foot pounds)
Starrett punches (1/16" and 3/32" are most useful)
armorer's block (big green block of delrin)
front sight block (very handy for removing taper pins)
rear sight tool (for removal/installation of A2 sights)
pliers
small gunsmith screwdriver and hexhead set
2 small hammers (one is a nylon tipped one, the other a small ball peen)
Peace River upper receiver block (better than the BM one I got at first)
lower receiver magwell block
punch for gas tube roll pin
Lyman roll pin punches
Adco roll pin starters
barrel vise blocks (never use them...waste of money for me)
bottle of Kroil (a must)
a decent vise (Home Depot)
A1 sight adjustment tool (A1 front sights have 5 notches)
A2 sight adjustment tool (A2 front sights have 4 notches)
Forster headspace gauges (go, no go, field)
ruptured case extractor
USGI cleaning kit
lithium grease
Bushmaster delrin punch/pivot pin detent installation tool (rather handy, though Brownell's makes a better one)
firing pin protrusion guage (Brownell's or Bushmaster...doesn't matter)
bolt scraper
small magnet (for holding on to small roll pins and such)

I need to add a concave center punch when I find one. It helps on the taper pins of the front sight base.

You can get away with less, because several of the tools are specialized (A2 rear sight tool) and don't get used very often. The best way is to buy your own as you go.

Tools I didn't find useful or worth the price:

bolt disassembly tool (I can remove/install the ejector without it)
barrel vise blocks (they mark up the barrel)
USGI armorer's wrench (the small square one)

[AR-15A3]

Here are the tools I have to build my three carbines and one rifle.

armorers wrench (from Bravo Co.)
free float handguard wrench with three pins (used for my FF handguard)
action block with center support (from Bravo Co.)
upper holder - holds upper with 2 pins of takedown pin holes (ADCO)
AR-15 punch set (Bravo Co.)
gas tube pin punch (ADCO)
Front Sight Base cradle level + sling swivel rivet installation tool (ADCO)
high density plastic pivot/ takedown punch (ADCO)
AR handguard remover tool (not required if you have a helper)
pivot push pin installation tool (I also used a regular punch)
carbine buttstock wrench (old style one lug type)
brass hammer (from ADCO)
gun screwdriver set (Chapman Mfg. Co., Durham, Conn.)
go, no-go, field headspace gauges
Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS2) lubricant (for barrel nuts - from Bushmaster)
Tetra gun grease
Break-Free CLP lubricant


Tools from my tool box/ garage:

punch set
large pliers
medium pliers
small pliers
plastic/ rubber hammer
open end wrenches
screwdriver set
hex wrench long set
torque wrench - foot pounds
small and large strap wrench (Sears for FF handguard ring)
plastic-nylon widget (about 0.050" thick, 3/8 wide, 6" long)
large hammer (for FSB taper pins)
medium size bench vise
blue and red Loctite
masking/ electrical/ duct tape (to protect your receivers finish when installing pins)


Note: some of the tools listed here may not be required and some could be substituted with household items such as 2X4 wood, plywood, thick cloth, leather, plastic, rubber, metal materials, etc.

Tip: Have extra detent pins and you could use a clear plastic bag when you're installing your pivot takedown pin detent pin to prevent it from flying off.

[Robb Jensen]

So what tools would I need to build my first AR. So far I have an armorer's tool and a stock wrench. I need to pick up one of the DPMS recevier claw's but what else would I need?

Just give me your stuff you need assembled bro, I don't charge.

[Voodoochild]

yeah I will probably do just that Robb. But it would be nice to learn how to build one and take it apart if need be. which reminds me I need to get up there some time soon and figure out what Glock's I want. I am leaning towards a 19 for now and maybe a 26 around Christmas time.

[Razoreye]

Just give me your stuff you need assembled bro, I don't charge.

This guy is true to his word and rocks!! <shameless plug>


BTW, good thread. I need to get some of these tools.

[AR15barrels]

Just give me your stuff you need assembled bro, I don't charge.

From now on, I'll be sending you all my Stag barrels to remove the taper pins...

[Robb Jensen]

From now on, I'll be sending you all my Stag barrels to remove the taper pins...

Those pins on my Stag/CMT barrel were the Evil Mother Of All Taper Pins! Luckily you were able to save it. You are the AR15 barrel Master!

Oh thanks for the Colt pin tool too. It's made easy work on two other barrels for removing the pins. Next time we send some barrels to you I'm going to buy some of those indexing shims. We'll be sending you 3 middy RRA bbls for reprofiling very soon.

I'm going to SHOT on Jan 13th and 14th will you be there then? Maybe we can meet up, I'll buy you a beer.

[AR15barrels]

I'm going to SHOT on Jan 13th and 14th will you be there then? Maybe we can meet up, I'll buy you a beer.

I have not decided if I am going or not.
As time goes on, it's getting less and less likely.
There's always next year in Vegas...