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Hammer & Punch Set
I'm gearing up for when I acquire a lower and LPK. The tools I have right now will work but the end product would probably be bent and scratched up something fierce. What has worked for y'all that have built yer own? Thanks in advance.

Yes if you don't have punches already, I haven't built one but I used some when only changing a trigger guard.

Yes, a punch set will be very useful in both building and maintaining/upgrading your AR in the future

That is a very handy set. I have one and use it all the time. I just finished my first AR build and a set of Roll Pin Punches is invaluable. I ended up going to Home Depot and getting what they had but I would get Brownells set to start with next time.


thanks,
George

I built my lower without punches, following an online tutorial. That said, I'm certain it would have been a much easier process if I'd had the proper tools.

You need to call and see if they are "Roll Pin Punches". It doesn't say that they are so they are probably not.

The roll pin is a punch with a little nub at the end. The nub fits inside the pin with the actual pin being pushed by the "shoulder" on the shaft. That will keep the punch from slipping off the roll pin and scratching your firearm.

You can do build with plain old fashioned punches but it's much harder. Brass or not, you will slip and make a mark.

The Roll Pins tend to cost a bit more.

Here's a picture. Note the nub at the end.

Thanks for all the information y'all!

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.

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

I didn't

Beware of cheap Chinese made sets sold as "gunsmith" tools. Go down to Sears where you can get a quality Craftsman roll pin punch set for around twenty bucks. You can also buy individual punches at Sears if you don't want a whole set. The last time I did an AR build I think I used two different punches. So if you don't have a bunch of other potential uses for a set of punches just buy the ones you need and save some money.

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 vice block. http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=2501 ... VISE_BLOCK" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A good set of roll pin punches. http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=2648 ... IN_PUNCHES" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A good set of roll pin holders. http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=781/ ... IN_HOLDERS" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A bolt catch pin punch. This will help you avoid damaging the finish while installing the bolt catch pin. http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=2648 ... _PIN_PUNCH" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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

An AR combo wrench. http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/cid=0/k= ... r15_wrench" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A good brass/plastic hammer. http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=1258 ... ASS_HAMMER" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Some grease for lubing springs and detents. http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=2596 ... GUN_GREASE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

At the minimum I'd get the roll pin punches, the hammer, the combo wrench, and a vice block. I wouldn't buy the vice block from brownells since you can find them for less than $20 elsewhere.

pivot pin detent installation tool is the only special tool I consider a must-have.
It is easily made from a 1/4" bolt. Just cross-drill it so the detent pin will pass through the unthreaded shank, and cut off the treads.

I also use a set of parallel-jaw pliers to press the pins home. Much easier than the punches.
Alternately a small arbor press would do the same thing, at least for the trigger guard.

I just built my first lower and the only tools I used were a punch and a hammer, and some masking tape (to protect the finish just in case). So it's possible to do it with very little... proper tools should make it a little easier though.


Oh, I also used an allen wrench, but that was for an aftermarket part.

MadMonkey wrote:I just built my first lower and the only tools I used were a punch and a hammer, and some masking tape (to protect the finish just in case). So it's possible to do it with very little... proper tools should make it a little easier though.


Oh, I also used an allen wrench, but that was for an aftermarket part.

And maybe an armorer's wrench.

Carry-a-Kimber wrote:

MadMonkey wrote:I just built my first lower and the only tools I used were a punch and a hammer, and some masking tape (to protect the finish just in case). So it's possible to do it with very little... proper tools should make it a little easier though.


Oh, I also used an allen wrench, but that was for an aftermarket part.

And maybe an armorer's wrench.

GAH, I forgot about the stock wrench... I ordered one of those along with the LBK