Reddit reviews Wheeler Engineering Hammer and Punch Set with Brass, Steel, Plastic Punches, Brass/Polymer Hammer and Storage Case for Gunsmithing Maintenance

This might be excessive, but I wanted to be thorough so you can see what all is out there. I am having trouble thinking of anything that the following tools can't do, in terms of AR building and maintenance. This is basically my setup at home, though some.of the brands and whatnot are different.

I am operating under the assumption that you already have some basic hand tools in addition to the torque wrench.

The only things you absolutely need are roll pin punches and an armorer's wrench and some basic hand tools like Allen wrenches, screwdrivers, needlenose pliers and so on. The rest just expedite the process and help solve weird issues that may come up.


Wheeler Engineering Roll Pin Starter Punch Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B3NWBVI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_QJZDAb1ZFBQ80

Wheeler Roll Pin Punch Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EE6GHVW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_4JZDAbV5YGA8M

Wheeler Hammer and Punch Set In Plastic Case https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004SY07HU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_FNZDAb1Y74EF0

Geissele Automatics 10-169 AR15/M4 Reaction Rod https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EY6WFAI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_hOZDAbD3JHBAE

Aeroshell 33ms / MIL-G-21164D / MIL-SPEC Barrel Nut Thread Grease + 1/2oz can https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BJ3HE0K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_4OZDAbQGRYJJ2

TEKTON Long Arm Ball End Hex Key Wrench Set, Inch/Metric, 26-Piece | 25282 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I5THF4W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_PPZDAbQ05H680

TEKTON Long Arm Star Key Wrench Set, T10-T50, 9-Piece | 25291 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I5THF9M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_cQZDAbRX59VNW

IRWIN Tools Multi-Purpose Bench Vise, 5-Inch (4935505) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009TOCZEC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_1QZDAbT8R47J0

Yost UP-360 Universal 6 Inch Prism Style Jaw Cover https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EVQH42U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_aRZDAbRHAV73E

Real Avid Gun Tool Pro - for Modern Sporting Rifles https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IMHX5KA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_bUZDAbEB87JFB

Wheeler Firearms Accurizing Torque Wrench https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012AXR4S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_xWZDAb1SRYD6D

Wheeler Professional Gunsmithing Screwdriver Set (43-Piece) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HTN4EWG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_HXZDAbQX5BEWF

TacWater USA AR15/M4/M16 Tools Multi-Purpose Tool Set (W) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079H5WWZ3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_GYZDAbRGY3CNH

Takedown Pivot PIN Tool set 223 556 6.8 SPC 300 AAC https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017OUSJFQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_V.ZDAbSHZPEG5

Magpul Bev Block https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1015877615/magpul-bev-block-ar-15-action-block

30 bucks on amazon, and you can bitch to them and get a new set when you inevitably bend a punch or mar the nylon strike surface.

https://amazon.com/dp/B004SY07HU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_PZmwCb9WVZQ28

Same with the roll pin punch set. I've bent my smallest roll pin punch (gas block) a few times and the manufacturer just sent me a new one. I think it was less than $10.

IMO, the few bucks you're saving isn't worth buying used tools that you literally beat on with no warranty.

Also u need a price for WTB, please modify your post :)

This one here

(Make sure to use Amazon Smile and donate to your favorite charity. More than a few pro-2A ones to choose from.)

I have these:

https://www.amazon.com/Wheeler-89-Piece-Deluxe-Gunsmithing-Screwdriver/dp/B001C63M7O/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1525651391&sr=8-4&keywords=wheeler+gunsmith+tools

and

https://www.amazon.com/Wheeler-Hammer-Punch-Plastic-Case/dp/B004SY07HU/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1525651391&sr=8-5&keywords=wheeler+gunsmith+tools

When it comes to getting screw bits (if you're piecing together a set) it's important to make sure you get hollow grind bits as not to damage the screw heads.

I found your charging handle for almost $10 cheaper. You could cut the cost of the charging handle significantly by getting a one-handed one. I used the exact same lower build kit for my first AR. The lower build kit does not come with any tools. You're going to need some tools, such as a Castle Nut Wrench and a punch set

This is kind of optional, but you're going to need a spacer if you want to use iron sights (or else the iron sights will be blocked by the red dot sight. The spacer also helps a great deal is making it more comfortable, so your head isn't awkwardly tilted, obviously this will depend on your eye height.

Don't get discouraged if this seems confusing, if all else fails, watch an ar15 building tutorial and everything will be much clearer. Here's another tutorial. Good luck.

For my first few lowers I used this combo of things I grabbed from amazon...

• Armorer's wrench - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005LVMSD0
  
• Punch/hammer set by wheeler - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004SY07HU
  
• ar Pivot pin/roll pin install tool - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FSVWHHU
  
  I also used a pair of pliers and masking tape.. I built 4 lowers with that setup.. the pivot pin/roll pin install tool wasn't "needed" but it did make it so I didn't have to worry about the spring/detent flying across the room.
  
  I have since grabbed a vice block for upper and lower but I didn't need it for the lower.. Upper work you do need the vice block.. I also grabbed a much better set of punches as I bent a few of those punches from that wheeler kit on my first time trying to swap a FSB to low pro gas block.
  

For sure, just take your time and you'll eventually develop a method for assembly of each part.

The hardest by far is installing the mag catch roll pin. Using a lot of electrical tape and a ChannelLock Tongue and Groove pliers, you can usually press it in carefully.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Channellock-12-in-Tongue-and-Groove-Pliers-440/100002119

I recently bought a set of roll pin punches and along with a small hammer, has made starting and finishing that part much easier.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1019303727/ar-stoner-ar-15-roll-pin-punch-set-7-piece-steel

https://www.amazon.com/Wheeler-Hammer-Punch-Plastic-Case/dp/B004SY07HU/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1538439501&sr=8-10&keywords=gunsmith+hammer+set

Adding onto what others have said. (Just a disclaimer I've only built 5 ARs so far so I dont know if some of the cheapo stuff is as durable as the fancy stuff that others are recommending.)

I really like this armourer's wrench since the 1/2" drive is so close to the castle and barrel nut adapter. Makes getting the correct torque easier IMO. Usually you only need the castle nut and flash hider adapters for AR builds since most aftermarket handgaurds come with proprietary barrel nut wrenches.

A decent set of roll pin punches will help you install both the upper and lower. I like this cause it also comes with a nylon (i think its nylon) end to keep from messing up your upper/lower finish.

Also, this is worth its weight in gold. It helps you install things like the roll pin that goes in the gas tube, bolt catch, trigger gaurd, and forward assist without the need of those fancy $50 tools.

And lastly I would definitely get a magpul Bev block and a bench vise. I got a cheapo one from amazon and its worked fine.

Full kit is about $150 and if you take it to a gunsmith they'll probably charge you about a hundred bucks.

You can save money if you do the work yourself. Buy an [Apex Armorer's Block] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K5ULZ9U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_LcuRzb3Y9Z9K6) and a [punch kit] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004SY07HU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_XduRzbYY6Z749), then YouTube.

Check your local sporting goods store or a smaller hardware store, like Harbor Freight. I know my local Academy sports sells some beginner's gunsmithing tool sets. I bought a Wheeler set (similar to this one), either from PSA or Amazon. comes with several punches, including brass ones, and a little brass/nylon hammer.

I use the Wheeler Set. I would also suggest the Starter Punch from CGW for the more stubborn pins. If you don't have a bench block I would get one of those too. A universal bench block will work fine but I would get the CZ Bench Block to make things a bit easier.

For polishing, some 600 grit, 1000 grit and 2000 grit sandpaper and some diamond stones from brownells would work just fine. Just follow the guides carefully and don't take too much metal off of the crucial areas.