The Armorers Toolbox Best Tools for Working on Your AR

[@Wasur1959]

Even five years later, A helpful and informative video. Thank you for your time and experience posting this.

[@sandymitchell8182]

My Dad always said....You can tell a lot by a mans tools and they way he keeps them, I still have his toolbox with all his tools in there, I sure miss him

[@worddunlap]

I fired many people that insisted they could 'feel' proper torque. With lives on the line and millions in equipment I thought their 'feelings' were just not good enough. Great video and explanation. Some will be butt-hurt. GOOD.

[@bryanbeane7328]

Exactly! Like to try them feel head bolts on engines that are torque to yield bolts on everything these days….specs are there for a reason.

[@armstrong2052]

Long as the torque wrench stays calibrated. Trust but verify.

[@wheelstandr]

I just told my wife we had everything we needed an hour ago. Then this video came up. Great video 👍🏻

[@danielselke2568]

Not sure if you realize this but if you align the torque wrench with the tool you will over-torque all of your points. Assuming your torque wrench is 16 inches from the center of the 1/2 socket to the center of the handle, if you align your wrench to your tool you effectively add an extra 2 inches of length to the center of the castle nut (18 inches). If you set your torque wrench to, say, 50 ft-lbs, you will actually torque the nut to 56.25 ft-lbs or 6.25 ft-lbs over-torqued. If you align your wrench 90 degrees from the imaginary line between the socket receiver and the center of the castle nut, you effectively cancel out the 2 inch distance and your 50 ft-lb setting will be accurate.

[@markwhite6782]

I was wondering the same thing however, since 35 ft lbs is the minimum torque required ( don't quote me on this but I understand the approprite torque to be from 35 to 80 ft lbs ) I think it would be safe to assume you are in the required range. In addition to this and I don't believe this was covered was when the barrel nut has been removed some have a very hard time pulling the barrel out of the upper receiver. They bang on index pins use a vice and pull etc. About 20 years ago when Bushmaster was king of the civilian market I sent them an idea to remedy this but got no response back. Later I read in one of their published materials how one of their gunsmiths figured this out (I didn't know I was one of their gunsmiths Ha Ha). Having a background in chemistry and metallurgy I knew the steel barrel would expand and contract differently than the aluminum receiver so I threw it into an ultralow deep freeze

[@robh2907]

Making my life easier with the right tools. Been creating my own make shift tools for years...thank you!!

[@JCunningham21]

for those saying the reaction rod is not used for assembly. The manual has you clamp the barrel. So all the torque is applied to the pin still. As for using the Torque wrench. The torque ratings are set with the GI tool strait with the wrench and its shown that way in the manual. three times to 30ftlbs then align not exceeding 80ftlbs. The extra length it factored in.

[@rustybordelon1]

Another well done and informative video. A couple of these I was not aware of. Instead of the orange plastic tool to align the gas port. I have been using the spaghetti trick instead works the same way.

[@ianspitzmiller7157]

Ive been putting together my own tool kits since I started working on my own weapons. I use fishing lure boxes to house everything. I have a better tool kit with better quality tools by piecing it together individually. It also cheaper as well.

[@NYPATRIOTBX]

I work for NYC transit, we use molykote on the seals that go on the cylinder sleeves in a Detroit Diesel, it makes perfect sense that the stuff used in an auto motive application would work on a firearm. High heat and moving parts.

[@mochikun3038]

I am loving the content

[@CarlPapa88]

What wrench is that @10:56? Don't recognize it from Brownells website. Look like a simple, basic, but sturdy wrench.

[@johnvigil9762]

Great video as always. Thank you sharing your knowledge and wisdom. I consider watching your videos a privilege.

[@walatsway7092]

It’s great to have a very knowledgeable person to show and inform those of us who really need it. Thanks for your time.

[@wayartio]

Kudo's Chris! This is one of your best! Good to see a true craftsman sharing his knowledge with us little people. Thanks a million!

[@r.mercado9737]

Outstanding presentation! I am looking forward to more!

[@smjohn4640]

I'm a lefty doing my first AR-15 build and I have a few parts left to buy so I'm researching the tools I need to put it all together. But after looking at a this and a few videos to find the tools I need, I'm beginning to get stressed out😩😩😫😫. I went ALL out taking my time to buy quality parts, but all these tool to assemble the gun have me wishing I just stuck to my handguns. Wish you were in PA, I would just drop the parts off when I have them all.

[@markallen1413]

Great show

[@RRaider]

When you install a barrel nut with a reaction rod you are placing all of the stress on the index pin on the barrel. The nut screws onto the receiver, not the barrel. The only thing a reaction rod is good for is installing or removing the flash hider/muzzle brake.

[@Gmar69]

Awesome info Chris, thank you!

[@davidgreener423]

Hi, did not see the list of tools great video.

[@AlanDike]

There is now some competitors to the reaction rod that has that gas port alignment rod much like your tool

[@ChristopherGoggans]

I think the ones you're referencing are the 2uniquellc rod and the Wilson one as well. The 2unique is steel, and the Wilson is all aluminum.

[@shawng7902]

I've got about every tool except for the clip handle. Little high $. I have the extractor vice and gas key tool coming. Had one come loose. Wish that extension block wasnt $200. That's crazy. The rod you made that you cant get I have 2 of them. Wheeler makes 1 and midway makes the best.

[@johnenglish4652]

Great video, thanks for the information and the links - found them on full30, I think it was.

[@slr7628]

The new geissele reaction rod is better than the one you showed because yea the reaction rod take pressure off the receiver but in exchange it just puts it all on the index pin.geissele updated it with tabs

[@spiagent]

What a great video, thank you!

[@okiinu]

Perfect! Thank you!

[@scotttucker5331]

Good day, I don't know if you had spoke of it and I missed it, but I currently have a couple builds and I'm trying to figure out what is the best way to put the trigger guard on as far as using a block or that small press?

[@SmallArmsSolutions]

scott Tucker you can get a specific block from Brownells just for installing the trigger guard. Best tool I have found to protect wings from breaking

[@johnryan1386]

Molykote DX is also used a lot in watchmaking, been using it for nearly 15 years 👍🏻

[@aljohnston453]

We use it on Sikorsky and Airbus Helicopters as well 👍

[@robertfarrow4256]

Thank you so much.

[@JEstevez3511]

What type of Molykote (moly grease) are you using? Looking around and can not find any information on which specific product you are using.

[@walatsway7092]

Hi Chris! I have a colt carbine with a DPMS upper why is this ? Please let me know!Thank you😊

[@p.l.b.3061]

Where is the link to the parts list/tool list to Brownells?

[@lioncelica5170]

What exactly was Colt over torquing until they bought machines to do it automatically?

[@5jjt]

Many say a torque attachment device needs to be 90° to the torque wrench. Any thoughts?

[@michaelstein1158]

The full 30link does not work anymore. is there an updated list!

[@sayjimbo]

Hold-on…gotta stop drooling over Chris’ tool….

[@MJDGator]

Thoughts on using the torque wrench at 90 degrees/perpendicular to the armorers wrench? From what I have read when used in line/parallel to each other you are not getting an accurate torque reading. When used at 90 degrees the adapter (in this case the armorers wrench) is taken out of the torque equation. I think I have also heard that when they came up with the torque specs in the AR they accounted for using the torque wrench in-line with the armorers wrench.

[@LilJim2031]

I've never built an AR (Australia) but in the car world if we are using an adaptor like the one used in the video we always use it at an angle (however many degrees) as to not get false torque readings from accidentally having hands over torque wrench + adaptor.

[@shawng7902]

In the auto world and 90% of AR videos they always say to hold it at 90° otherwise you are creating a torque modifier. Probably fine either way when you get such a big range on barrel but torque.

[@mkao7.627]

II like the Real Avid Master Tool Kit but there is a few little things that one can buy that you might need later .

[@isansimpson2056]

Reaction rods actually place most of the stress on the barrel indexing pin portion of the upper receiver...unfortunately. I bought one too thinking it took the upper completely out but it definitely does not.

[@BlackDotPatrick]

I think you are correct for barrel nuts. But for flash hider it does not put any stress on upper receiver or index pin. People get this confused often I think.

[@ryanvalencia1027]

Is there an updated way to peep a parts list? Patreon perhaps? The full30 link doesn't appear anymore

[@isansimpson2056]

Oh also 2unique makes a “barrel spud” (reaction rod) that has gas tube alignment deal exactly like the tool you made for yourself. Great minds think alike.

[@mooredelira]

there is no parts list anywhere!!!

[@bjolly8924]

That's exactly what I'm saying.🙄 I think this video is crap.

[@5jjt]

What happens if one torques a carrier key above 58" lbs, say to, 80" lbs? 58" lbs is only a little above 4.5lbs.

[@markwhelan1652]

Improper use of torque wrench. You are exceeding torque recommendations when you lengthen the arm.

[@AMM118Honda]

Hello - link to tools is not working - sends you to some video site

[@SmallArmsSolutions]

It’s an older video. Perhaps the links are no longer valid. Should be able to see everything on Brownells.

[@robertdelamare4129]

Ware can I bye an armor’s manual

[@SmallArmsSolutions]

Amazon

[@elbryan9]

I've seen a number of videos here on KZbin where they claim that the torque wrench has to be placed at a 90 degree angle to the adapter rather than inline as is demonstrated in this video. Is there any truth to that or do they just not know what they're talking about?

[@SmallArmsSolutions]

elbryan9 no sir, the torque wrench is used the way I show you.

[@elbryan9]

I thought so. That always seemed like such a strange claim.

[@DavArroyo7242]

You are correct, when using a torque wrench with an offset adapter such a crows foot or any other offset tool the proper procedure is to place the torque wrench at a 90 degree angle, this will provide the correct torque value to the bolt or screw. If you use the torque wrench the way shown in the video then the following equation/formula must be used in order to provide a correct torque value. E- Effective length of extension - measured along the centerline of the torque wrench. L Lever length of the wrench - center of grip to center of drive. T(W) - Torque set on the wrench. T(E)- Torque applied by the extension to the fastener. T(W) = T(E)* L/L+E, T(E) = T(W)* (L+E)/LThis information is provide with most decent torque wrenches and it's the standard military use of certified/calibrated torque wrenches. Furthermore a torque wrench should never be used to break torque/loosen a nut or bolt, a breaker bar is the proper tool to loosen any bolt or nut. Granted, on an AR type barrel nut the proper use is not a life or death situation due the wide (30 to 80 ft/lbs) torque allowance for the barrel nut. But the loosening and re-torqueing of the barrel nut is essential in order to "seasoning" of the threads as per the TMs.

[@blwngt1598]

If ever in doubt, consult the tool manufacturers. That being said, a quick Google search will tell you that if it is used as shown you will be increasing the length of the "lever" as well as no longer getting the torque reading from the center of the wrench head/socket as intended and thus the torque reading will no longer be correct due to the change in parameters. As stated above, there is a formula used to account for that parameter change. Turning the barrel nut wrench 90 degrees helps negate that change and will give you a more accurate reading. Again, I urge you to Google it and look it up. Now as for using the torque wrench to loosen the nut, it honestly depends on your specific torque wrench. So again, consult the manufacturers. The majority of mine are capable of and designed for doing both, standard and reverse threads. When in doubt, look it up.

[@slr7628]

The way showed in the video is wrong.90 degrees ensures proper torque when using adapter.when the guy in the vid torques down anything with the wrench inline like he showed he is actually applying more torque than what his wrench is set for.its leverage.the same reason he likes a longer breaker bar is the same reason his way of torquing a barrel nut is wrong.

[@r.mercado9737]

The first tool box mentioned is no longer sold by Brownells...Semper Fi

[@prairiepatriot2162]

The same people who think they can sense torque by feel are probably the same ones who think they can tell the psi in a tire by its look.

[@glockparaastra]

Is the Magpul BEV Block sufficient for changing muzzle brakes? Great channel! I've learnt most about AR's on this channel.

[@1unkn0wn]

Yes, it is metal reinforced.

[@PoptartFps]

Reaction rod can shear locator pin.

[@ramoncampa9334]

Check into real avid ar tools evcellent desing reasonable price

[@johnaustin6673]

with the armorers wrench attached to the torque wrench like that, you over torque

[@thebluestig2654]

Removing just the C Clip from the ejection port rod is NEVER enough to get that rod loose without removing the handguard unless you have an extremely narrow handguard that allows the rod to slip past.

[@Satchmoeddie]

Why not just use a Utica, Matco, or Sturtevant torque wrench or screwdriver? Yes, Sturtevant torque driver are close to $300 for a screwdriver, and $250 for the wrench, and $350 for the dial wrench. Matco's torque tools were made by Bonney or Utica for a while. My half inch torque wrenches are usually Proto for the click style, and my favorite dial wrench is Mossberg. The drive square come out so you can reverse it, and have the dial point up or down, left or right, forwards or backwards. I know Dow Corning & Dupont Molycoat very well. SCREW Aeroshell 33! That is 737 basic chassis grease. Aeroshell is overpriced shit. Even the airlines no longer use it, and the Aeroshell 64 is the butt end of Shell av grease. It's the worst grease used in Aviation. Valvoline Palladium is better grease. Nickel antiseize is a fabulous product that will stay good up to 2500 F. Your barrel will fail before that antisieze fails.

[@raylandraybels9462]

MI URR>Geissele Reaction Rod

[@mikejudge942]

Algorithm

[@Tadicuslegion78]

And this is part of the reason I don’t want an AR15 because it seems like they’re more trouble than they’re worth

[@ontargetthomunclesam3926]

Tadicuslegion78 I've been a Gunsmith for forty years and I don't have any thing nice to say about ANY AR15 they are alot like the Dodge truck over priced JUNK buy a Ruger M30 or the smaller 14 great Rifles

[@muddyhotdog4103]

These are just for people that are really into guns, shoot them a lot, and build lots of them.. I build and work on AK's too, you should see my tools for building those lol. It's not just AR's.

[@muddyhotdog4103]

@@ontargetthomunclesam3926 Ya I like mini's, they're fun. You know you can get a decent Ar for under the price of a mini now right? This isn't the 60s anymore either, they're more reliable and accurate too.

[@rbi1776]

The tool you built, would you consider sending me the spec so I can have my brother-in-law law CNC one for me?

[@stupendous269]

GN assembly paste =🤌