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Thread: Tooling up

  1. #11
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    Default Re: Tooling up

    Pivot pin install - easy peasy. Forget about all the damned clevis pin tools and allen keys - a razor knife removes all the headaches from this (formerly) maddening installation step.

    I called to check my ZIP CODE!....DY-NO-MITE!!!

  2. #12
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    Default Re: Tooling up

    Here's a pretty good TOTAL assembly video.

    There used to be a great one showing how to assemble using no specialized tools, but back when Youtube started banning gun content, it was removed.

    I called to check my ZIP CODE!....DY-NO-MITE!!!

  3. #13
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    Default Re: Tooling up

    The only "special" tool you will need is going to depend on your hand guard - you may or may not need a barrel nut wrench - many companies include them with the hand guard if it's a proprietary nut.

    You need a torque wrench to tighten the barrel nut.

    A vise (about 4" should be sufficient) is needed to hold the upper while tightening the barrel nut.

    A vice block that wraps around the upper and clamps in the vise is about $15.

    Everything else - and I mean everything else I did using common tools. I happened to have tiny flat head screwdrivers that matched the diameter of roll pins and used those as punches. I guess if I didn't have the screwdrivers, I may have gotten punches.

    Hell, I don't even have a work bench, so I bought a scrap length of 2x8 lumber, bolted (lag screws actually) the vise to it, and drove the car onto the board to hold it solidly in place while I torqued the barrel nut down.

    Honestly, if I knew that I was going to build so many of these things, I would have gotten a few "special tools" years ago just to simplify things, but there's really not much you can't do using things you probably already have on hand.
    I called to check my ZIP CODE!....DY-NO-MITE!!!

  4. #14
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    Default Re: Tooling up

    Quote Originally Posted by Gunsnwater View Post
    Channel locks? To build a lower.
    They are heaven sent for putting in the bolt stop roll pin

  5. #15
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    Default Re: Tooling up

    Quote Originally Posted by Emptymag View Post
    Punches are overrated.

    Yep, that's how I do pins as well.

  6. #16
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    Default Re: Tooling up

    After reading the orginal post, and the subforum this is posted in,
    OP may be interested in casting/forging/cutting his own uppers and lowers.

    As in Tolling Up the lathe or mill...

    OP. It really depends on how much work you want to put in to it.
    If not looking for anything highend, maybe just wanna help fill up the safe, id grab a couple 80% lowers while you still can and a couple different combatarmory.com upper kits.

  7. #17
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    Default Re: Tooling up

    Quote Originally Posted by Emptymag View Post
    Here's a pretty good TOTAL assembly video.

    There used to be a great one showing how to assemble using no specialized tools, but back when Youtube started banning gun content, it was removed.
    I have been trying to find that video forever! Thought it was my dumb ass that just couldn't search properly. There are hundreds of build videos and they took that one off, WTF? It probably had the most views
    "It seems that the Constitution is more or less guidelines than actual rules"
    My feedback: http://forum.pafoa.org/showthread.php?t=305685

  8. #18
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    Default Re: Tooling up

    I did my first lower on my desk with hand tools and some cheap punches (they bent a lot).

    I later got this tool-set. Having a smaller and brass, steel, nylon, rubber hammer helps as well as a pin starter and better punches.
    https://www.amazon.com//dp/B07NK1F5QT

    Having a vice and a mag block is very nice to have. The Magpul BEV Block will also allow you to mount both the lower and upper in the vice. There are cheaper mag blocks out there but the fact that the BEV Block lets you mount both and upper and lower makes it a tremendous value.
    https://www.magpul.com/products/bev-block-ar15-m4

    However lots of people swear by the Geissele Reaction Rod for building an upper. If you go this route for the upper you can go cheaper for the mag well block. Although the BEV Block has some advantages over the Reaction Rod as well.
    https://geissele.com/556-223-caliber-reaction-rod.html

    Bev Block vs Reaction Rod
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WN8auNCtZSk

    I would also get a AR armors wrench if you plan on doing any upper work. I go the MagPul one because I got it on sale with the BEV Block as a package deal.
    https://www.magpul.com/products/magp...wrench-ar15-m4
    "No, it's just a machine. I'm the weapon." - Jack Harper in Oblivion

  9. #19
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    Default Re: Tooling up

    Quote Originally Posted by Emptymag View Post
    Punches are overrated.

    Glad I found this video it just save me, I try to avoid Braking parts, Press tool is better than a hammer

  10. #20
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    Default Re: Tooling up

    Quote Originally Posted by aradralami View Post
    Glad I found this video it just save me, I try to avoid Braking parts, Press tool is better than a hammer
    I suggest putting electrical tape on the surrounding areas in case the pliers slip. I also wrap a little around each jaw of the pliers.

    Be careful to apply pressure "straight" together so nothing twists/slips.
    I called to check my ZIP CODE!....DY-NO-MITE!!!

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