Armorers Tools

[LUCKYDAWG13]

im going to be building in AR this winter i assembled a lower with just a few tools
but want to build the upper now. what do i need for tools was looking at this kit
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shooting/Gun-Maintenance/Gun-Smithing%7C/pc/104792580/c/104814180/sc/104370480/Wheelerreg-Delta-Series-AR-Armorers-Essentials-Kit/1530083.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fgun-smithing%2F_%2FN-1102327%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104370480%3FWTz_l%3DUnknown%253Bcat10 4814180&WTz_l=Unknown%3Bcat104814180%3Bcat104370480 is this kit any good

[Epd230]

You really only need the barrel wrench ($29.99).

You might want the receiver block ($29.99) to do it right without scratching your nice new parts.

By the time you buy both of them parts at Cabelas, your price is not too far off from the kit you referenced. If your budget allows, that kit would be the best value, but if you want to go on the cheap, just the wrench.

Of course, IMHO only!

[TCLouis]

I have one so it is just a nosy question.

BUT

If one does not have a torque wrench how tight is tight on the barrel nut?

[akajun]

Hand tight, then index to the next hole

[wonderwolf]

+1 on a GOOD action wrench (Yes there are bad ones out there....the pins for the barrel nut are not lined up correctly and have to be ground down to fit...most of them end up in slipping off the nut when used with a torque and dinging and $1 words can result)

The action block is nearly a must for the upper (for use in a vise), you can find them reasonably well priced. A few of the specialty punches are handy but not needed if you are assembling your own lower (the roll pin for the bolt release tends to be the trickiest). You shouldn't really need anything more than those few tools, if you are assembling something with a M4 stock a castle nut wrench is very handy to have as you'll want to make sure to snug it down and stake it into place as they can walk out.

Those kits (like the one you linked to) are not bad but they seem to have a lot of stuff you'll never use. I don't like the clam shell type blocks I much prefer the pin on types but either will get the job done.

[LUCKYDAWG13]

ok thanks

[abunaitoo]

Good price for all you get.
You might not use all of it, but it's good to have if you ever need it.

[cheese1566]

I have one so it is just a nosy question.

BUT

If one does not have a torque wrench how tight is tight on the barrel nut?

one should have a torque wrench! Torque three times to the listed foot pounds. This mingles the threads and parts together for a good mating. Then torque on the third time to the listed torque, then advance to the next gas tube hole. Never go backwards to line up and don't forget your anti-seize compound.

minimal tools would be a clamshell style vise support, torque wrench, action wrench. Someone on the forum use to sell a action wrench that was water or laser cut and worked great.