Tools needed to build a lower? YGTBFKM

dennishoddy · Oct 29, 2016

Burk Cornelius said:
Depending on how tight the pin fits, it helps also to bevel the end a little with a file before you try to insert it. (Also lube helps)

Bullshit. A 3lb sledge doesn't need any fancy tools or beveling. You pound those pins in!

jtischauser · Oct 29, 2016

I bought 20 or so BoomerShooter lowers way back when we got those done. I bought several Of these tools to make building all those lowers easier and it is. I have a trigger guard install block and its super easy/fast and with the roll pin holding punch it's so much easier. Roll pin punches, a Brownells flat pinch for installing the bolt catch pin is worth the $. I also really like the front take down pin detect install tool. No more pins and springs flying across the room. If you build enough of anything having time saving tools that make the finished product better are worth the $ imho. If anybody local wants to try any before they buy let me know if be happy to show you how they work for a small fee of a sixer or two.

dennishoddy · Oct 30, 2016

The simplest of tools are the one you build. I actually prefer pressing in pins vs pounding them in with a hammer, but everybody has their own way to do things. Its amazing how well a $2 C clamp from Walmart with a little redneck engineering works to press pins in.

jtischauser · Oct 30, 2016

dennishoddy said:
The simplest of tools are the one you build. I actually prefer pressing in pins vs pounding them in with a hammer, but everybody has their own way to do things. Its amazing how well a $2 C clamp from Walmart with a little redneck engineering works to press pins in.

I agree but I lack patience so buying a specialty tool that I know works keeps me from smashing all my elephant dung with a sledge hammer. Lol!

Jackary · Oct 30, 2016

Jesse Tischauser said:
I bought 20 or so BoomerShooter lowers way back when we got those done. I bought several Of these tools to make building all those lowers easier and it is. I have a trigger guard install block and its super easy/fast and with the roll pin holding punch it's so much easier. Roll pin punches, a Brownells flat pinch for installing the bolt catch pin is worth the $. I also really like the front take down pin detect install tool. No more pins and springs flying across the room. If you build enough of anything having time saving tools that make the finished product better are worth the $ imho. If anybody local wants to try any before they buy let me know if be happy to show you how they work for a small fee of a sixer or two.

I bought a set of the roll pin holders and punches and they make it a breeze. The front detent tool is also worth the money.

FortyMikeMike · Oct 30, 2016

dennishoddy said:
The simplest of tools are the one you build. I actually prefer pressing in pins vs pounding them in with a hammer, but everybody has their own way to do things. Its amazing how well a $2 C clamp from Walmart with a little redneck engineering works to press pins in.

This is my preferred method as well. Small piece of wood on the screw side helps steady it.

dennishoddy · Oct 30, 2016

For the record, I got raked over the coals on another forum about my preference to press pins in instead of using a hammer and punch. Yeah, there has been a zillion AR's built with that method, but there has also been a zillion lowers wasted by breaking the trigger guard pin without rear support using sledge and punch. Good thing lowers are cheap right now. Might not be in the future.

poopgiggle · Oct 30, 2016

dennishoddy said:
For the record, I got raked over the coals on another forum about my preference to press pins in instead of using a hammer and punch.

rule 1 of the Internet: everyone is dumb
rule 2 of the Internet: the dumb people will yell at you for no reason