Army Chief
10 April 2010, 09:24
Now that component parts are more readily available (at least, in relative terms), and warmer weather has most of us headed back out into our workshops and garages, this is probably an appropriate time to talk about some of the tools of the trade where AR assembly is concerned: both those that are already in a typical mechanic's tool kit, and those which are considerably more specialized.
Many of the bench tools associated with basic AR assembly are, of course, fairly commonplace. These include things like properly-sized screwdrivers, pliers, allen/Torx wrenches, ball-peen hammers, and some basic punches. Some of the less common (but still easy-to-find) things that you need to have on hand include a breaker bar, a torque wrench, a proper bench vise, several types of roll pin holders and some snap-ring pliers.
Then, there are the specialized tools that are unique to the AR, some of which are absolutely essential, and others, merely nice-to-have. These include various jigs, specialty wrenches (for both barrels and stocks), associated multi-tools, vise blocks, special adapters, various gauges, staking tools, reamers and those proprietary tools that may be associated with certain aftermarket (nonstandard) barrels, rails and accessories. As the market has grown, so too have the number of options available, and one could literally spend thousands of dollars on outfitting a complete shop set.
We've already got a discussion thread (http://www.weaponevolution.com/forum/showthread.php?2070-HammerHead-Rifle-Tool&highlight=Hammerhead) underway on the excellent Hammerhead tool, and I'm curious what other tools, aids and devices our members consider "essential kit." Which tools have you found absolutely indispensable? Which have simply made life easier and proven worth the expense? Which do you consider superfluous or largely novelty items? Which manufacturers seem to offer the most usable tools? Where have you acquired your tools of choice? Which would you be quickest to recommend?
Granted, this is a deliberately broad topic, but why not take a look at your workbench, consider some of your past builds (and the hard lessons learned along the way), and share a few thoughts?
AC
Many of the bench tools associated with basic AR assembly are, of course, fairly commonplace. These include things like properly-sized screwdrivers, pliers, allen/Torx wrenches, ball-peen hammers, and some basic punches. Some of the less common (but still easy-to-find) things that you need to have on hand include a breaker bar, a torque wrench, a proper bench vise, several types of roll pin holders and some snap-ring pliers.
Then, there are the specialized tools that are unique to the AR, some of which are absolutely essential, and others, merely nice-to-have. These include various jigs, specialty wrenches (for both barrels and stocks), associated multi-tools, vise blocks, special adapters, various gauges, staking tools, reamers and those proprietary tools that may be associated with certain aftermarket (nonstandard) barrels, rails and accessories. As the market has grown, so too have the number of options available, and one could literally spend thousands of dollars on outfitting a complete shop set.
We've already got a discussion thread (http://www.weaponevolution.com/forum/showthread.php?2070-HammerHead-Rifle-Tool&highlight=Hammerhead) underway on the excellent Hammerhead tool, and I'm curious what other tools, aids and devices our members consider "essential kit." Which tools have you found absolutely indispensable? Which have simply made life easier and proven worth the expense? Which do you consider superfluous or largely novelty items? Which manufacturers seem to offer the most usable tools? Where have you acquired your tools of choice? Which would you be quickest to recommend?
Granted, this is a deliberately broad topic, but why not take a look at your workbench, consider some of your past builds (and the hard lessons learned along the way), and share a few thoughts?
AC