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Some tools are very specialized . . . but punches are universal and belong in every tool kit.

Hurry up and get a set before someone decides to take away your man card.



Oh, and I recommend you look at this video if you're building your first AR: http://www.lifelibertyetc.com/Home/Rang ... ippedLower" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Vecco wrote:If you want to save $23.00 on tools, you might want to reconsider building a AR. If you build the upper, you will need about $200+ in tools. You can buy the upper built if that’s what you want, you can buy the lower built if that’s what you want. Or you can just go buy the gun. If you want to build and really maintain your GUNS, a punch kit is needed. On a good note, you can use it on all you guns.

PS this is a cheap kit, most good punch kits start around $69.00 or so. That said I have that one and it has worked fine for the last few years.

What tools would that be? i used a $20 armorer wrench and basic hand tools to build uppers and lowers.

rm9792 wrote:

Vecco wrote:If you want to save $23.00 on tools, you might want to reconsider building a AR. If you build the upper, you will need about $200+ in tools. You can buy the upper built if that’s what you want, you can buy the lower built if that’s what you want. Or you can just go buy the gun. If you want to build and really maintain your GUNS, a punch kit is needed. On a good note, you can use it on all you guns.

PS this is a cheap kit, most good punch kits start around $69.00 or so. That said I have that one and it has worked fine for the last few years.

What tools would that be? i used a $20 armorer wrench and basic hand tools to build uppers and lowers.

What did you torq your barrel to # and how did you hold it? Did you build a quad rail or hand guards? How did you set/test your head space? Really there is no need for me to tell you what is the right way and the common way, that’s all over the net. But I am curious as to how YOU did it. You don’t always have the tools you need, so new information is always nice to have.

if you don't have a screwdriver sometimes you just got to tighten vise grips on to a screwdriver bit and go to town!

dcphoto wrote:There are several tools that will make assembling an AR-15 lower easier. Although none are required, they will save you time and are a good investment if you plan on building more than 1 AR.

A pivot pin detent installation tool. http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=2648 ... ATION_TOOL" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The pivot pin install tool is a must. That detent and spring will shoot out with the force of a BB gun even with the tool if you're not careful. Plus, unless it sticks in your eye because you weren't wearing safety glasses, you'll never find it. Yes, getting the tools takes a bite out of the wallet but will make your hobby much more enjoyable.

On another note, I found myself needing to completely disassemble my Beretta Cougar to clean out a bunch of sand. I was carrying on my mountain bike and unfortunately mis-judged a drop, landed too hard on the front wheel and took a spill. I landed on my right side which caused my pistol to dig into the dirt/sand. Well, that sand must have grown legs cause it got everywhere and locked my pistol up like a rusty door. Trigger, hammer, slide… all locked and not moving. I could force it but NOT…

Anyway, I went online and found an armorer’s manual and I was very happy I had all my assortment of punches and hammers. Having all the correct tools made my repair job much easier. When the manual says “use a 1.5mm punch” and do such and such, it was nice to reach over and say, “Here it is” instead of “Oh man, I’m stuck.”

Save your pennies and get the tools. You’re not saving any money anyway by building your own rifle but you will enjoy building it much more and it will go very quickly.

MadMonkey wrote:

TDDude wrote: Brass or not, you will slip and make a mark.

I didn't

Call me after your 3rd or 4th rifle build. If you can still say that, you’ve missed your calling; you should have been a surgeon.

BTW, Cougar is back up.

TDDude wrote:Call me after your 3rd or 4th rifle build. If you can still say that, you’ve missed your calling; you should have been a surgeon.

Well, I just ordered another stripped lower, so we'll see if I need to stay in the security field

TDDude wrote:

dcphoto wrote:There are several tools that will make assembling an AR-15 lower easier. Although none are required, they will save you time and are a good investment if you plan on building more than 1 AR.

A pivot pin detent installation tool. http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=2648 ... ATION_TOOL" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The pivot pin install tool is a must. That detent and spring will shoot out with the force of a BB gun even with the tool if you're not careful.

The pivot pin installation tool isn't essential. Sure it makes things easier, but you can also use a blunted razor blade to hold the detent while you install the pin. It's a little bit more difficult with the razor, and nearly impossible without a vice block, but it can be done.

Vecco wrote:

rm9792 wrote:

Vecco wrote:If you want to save $23.00 on tools, you might want to reconsider building a AR. If you build the upper, you will need about $200+ in tools. You can buy the upper built if that’s what you want, you can buy the lower built if that’s what you want. Or you can just go buy the gun. If you want to build and really maintain your GUNS, a punch kit is needed. On a good note, you can use it on all you guns.

PS this is a cheap kit, most good punch kits start around $69.00 or so. That said I have that one and it has worked fine for the last few years.

What tools would that be? i used a $20 armorer wrench and basic hand tools to build uppers and lowers.

What did you torq your barrel to # and how did you hold it? Did you build a quad rail or hand guards? How did you set/test your head space? Really there is no need for me to tell you what is the right way and the common way, that’s all over the net. But I am curious as to how YOU did it. You don’t always have the tools you need, so new information is always nice to have.

Barrel was torqued to "pretty tight". Built them in the Army this way so must work fine. Didnt set headspace, never done that on an AR. I usually use either free float hand guards or FF quad rails. I like to use railed gas blocks, no fixed front sights. I do have the armorers blocks as well to clamp it in a vise so as not to mar the finish. I already had punches for other work so didnt figure that in the cost. I am always up for new info though!

After you build a few, you learn what to avoid in the way of scratches or nicks putting the bolt release pin in and the trigger guard pin in. The right punches surely do make a difference and putting some duct tape on the right and left side of the bolt release when you hammer in the bolt release pin will save you from scratching it up. You can start with a larger punch but when you get close to the pin entrance, go with a smaller punch, since that is where a nick or scratch can occur. Look at the factory complete lowers and you will see no scratches or nicks. On a sloppy homemade job, you usually will see some. If you don't care about workmanship, bang away.

That's a nice set. I just recently built a lower and bought the upper the way I wanted it from Frontier Armory already built out and it worked out well. The punch set made things a lot easier to put things together and essential if you ask me. This set with the nice hammer is going to be great.

Good luck with your build and you'll have a ton of fun plinking with it at the range.

Use blue painters tape, no residue and peels off easier than duct tape.

What I use for a pivot pin detent tool is a 1/4 inch clevis pin about 3 inches long, the length is not important as long as you can get a good hold on it. Buy good roll pin punches, I use Snap-ON, they aren't cheap, nor are they cheaply made, they are the proper size for the pins.
I have not installed a barrel to an upper but that should not be a problem with the proper tools, most barrels come with the barrel extension so they are head spaced at the factory.

Punch Set
I ended up picking up a set similar to this today at Home Depot. The set I grabbed has 6 punches in it but from the same manufacturer. If they don't work I'm only out $14. I'm going to use the blue painters tape to protect the lower from scratches and such. To combat the issue of the punch slipping off the pin I'm going to use a small piece of paniters tape to attach the pin to the end of the punch.
Pieces for the build should start showing up at the house today. LPK, Stock, Stock Wrench & Mag shipping from Joe Bob Outfitters.
Thanks again for all the advice fellas!

A plastic or nylon punch set would eliminate all the problems with marring the pins and finish. I have searched all over the web, and cannot find them, but I see some punch "sets" that include a few plastic punches. However no sizes are given. Has anyone seen a complete plastic or nylon punch set in the traditional sizes (i.e. 3/32" 1/8", 3/16" etc.)?

HankB wrote:Some tools are very specialized . . . but punches are universal and belong in every tool kit.

Hurry up and get a set before someone decides to take away your man card.



Oh, and I recommend you look at this video if you're building your first AR: http://www.lifelibertyetc.com/Home/Rang ... ippedLower" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

that's a great video, thanks for sharing. that makes it look a lot easier when combined with the directions on ar15.com