I just created a youtube video covering this…
Can you guys think of anything to add/remove?
AR-15 upper build tools:
Instructional videos:
Threadlockers and grease:
Can you guys think of anything to add/remove?
AR-15 upper build tools:
- For torquing barrel nuts and muzzle devices:
- Midwest Industries Upper Receiver Rod (# MIURR) ($80) or Magpul Bev Block (# MAG536) ($30) (good for uppers too tight for MIURR)
- For general upper use (installing barrels into thermofit uppers, fwd assist, etc.):
- Wheeler Upper Vice Block (# 156888) ($32)
- For general lower & upper use (installing gas tube roll pin, securing the lower, etc.):
- Midwest Industries Lower Receiver Block (# MILRB) ($25)
- Barrel Nut Wrench:
- For barrel nuts that use a castle nut pattern use Armorer’s wrench
- For barrel nuts that use a proprietary pattern your handguard should come with a wrench
- Roll pin punches:
- Grace USA 7 Piece Steel Roll Spring Punch Set (# GRRS7) ($25)
- Grace USA 5 Piece Roll Spring (Pin) Holder Set (# JYGRRSH5) ($34)
- Hammers:
- Armorer’s wrench:
- Magpul Armorer’s Wrench (# MAG535) ($55) or Midwest Industries MI-ARAW Armorers Wrench (# MIARAW) ($55)
- Torque Wrench:
- Misc:
- Wheeler Fat Wrench In-lb Torque Wrench (# 553556) ($55) (for torquing screws for handguards, gas blocks, etc.)
- Sinclair AR-15 Bolt Vice (for removing ejector from bolt) (# 14950) ($25)
- Optional (for installing/removing barrels in thermofit uppers, heat upper threads on high for ~30-60 secs):
- 1”x12” Wooden Dial Rod ($10)
- 16oz Rubber Mallet ($12)
- Warrior 1500 W Heatgun ($20 at Harbor Freight)
- Brownells Upper Receiver Lapping Tool ($30)
- Loctite 620 (for bedding barrels ($18)
- Total cost: $251 (least expensive options and no optional tools) or $475 (most expensive options and all optional tools)
Instructional videos:
- JP Rifles on how to install barrels in thermofit uppers:
- SOTAR Upper Receiver Tools & Techniques:
- SOTAR on when/where to use assembly grease/aeroshell:
Threadlockers and grease:
- Aeroshell 64 (for preventing different metals from galvanizing together, used on castle nut threads, barrel nut threads, etc.)
- For gas block screws:
- Loctite 246 (high temp/oil resistant) or Rocksett
- For muzzle devices/suppressor mounts:
- Rocksett
- For grip screws, scope bases, etc.:
- Vibratite VC-3
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