AR Build Issue: Roll Pin Punches, Starters/Holders & Flat Punches QUALITY ISSUE

[FRB]

I have found all three sets are needed for AR Builds. Let's talk what punches are good better best in quality.

I have a set of Wheeler Pin/Holder Starters and they holding up fine. Bought off Amazon the "TuffMan Tools Roll Pin Punch Set" - JUNK!!! they bend so easy!



What Roll Pin punches have you used that are holding up and of good quality?

 

[cgrutt]

I have Craftsman, Snap-on and Dasco punches and have bent or broken all of them at one time or another. Believe they're hardened in such a way as to bend before shattering. Starrett and Facom supposedly have good reputations but haven't used either one personally. Also believe old PROTO was good before they were bought out by Stanley.

ETA also have some Meyhew punches (believe Meyhew also makes/made Craftsman, at least the old USA made ones) and I have an old PROTO 5/16 alignment punch.

 

[Mosinitis]

Grace punches are excellent for gunsmithing. I have all three sets plus holder/starters for small pins.

 

[FRB]

Any one try this set:

https://www.amazon.com/Grace-USA-Gunsmithing-Gunsmith-Accessories/dp/B007WADKN0/

 

[FRB]

Grace punches are excellent for gunsmithing. I have all three sets (starter, regular and long reach) plus holder/starters for small pins.

Looks like we posted at the same time, is this what you are mentioning:

Grace USA: Punch Sets

Grace USA Punch Sets are made with utmost precision - machine turned and designed for critical work where non-marring and non-sparking are of importance. They are carefully made to fit many pins or used to gently move steel objects.

www.amazon.com

 

[Mosinitis]

Any one try this set:

https://www.amazon.com/Grace-USA-Gunsmithing-Gunsmith-Accessories/dp/B007WADKN0/

Yes, that's what I meant. I misspelled the name. There are three types. I need to look at them to describe each type.

 

[Mosinitis]

These are the three sets
One set is short to take the impact when needed, one set is with nipples for roll pins and one set is flat face.

 

[Mosinitis]

I bought all three sets separately and even bought the pictured rubber holder.
I would pass on rubber holder if I had to do it again.

 

[Mosinitis]

One thing to watch out for is ROLLED UP PINS (don't know the proper name, but that's what they are). They look similar to roll pins, but there is a big difference. They are thinner metal rolled up into many turns, unlike the regular roll pin, which is just one turn and hollow in the center.
If you use a punch with a nipple to drive them out they start to cone and jam themselves in the hole. On these you need to use a flat face punch of exact diameter. I hate these pins, they are used in some gas blocks to hold the gas tube.

 

[Saltwater60]

I bought wire gear and they seem just fine. I haven’t used the shit out of them but I stripped two entire pistols and put them back together with them.

 

[C3D]

Grace or Snap-on, the only acceptable choices. Wheeler tools can be really junky.

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

My RealAvid set holding up well. Specific punches for the platform.

 

[FRB]

I ordered the Grace set, skipped the rubber holder.... thanks all. I think the short ones will be beneficial especially.

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

Serious question. Do people really have alot of difficulty building an AR? I've built lowers using a crescent wrench and ball point pen. What's with all these jigs and things to help with springs and pins?

 

[meketrefe]

Those amazon ones they look like they are "fallopious" type

 

[FRB]

Serious question. Do people really have alot of difficulty building an AR? I've built lowers using a crescent wrench and ball point pen. What's with all these jigs and things to help with springs and pins?

Lowers are rather simple indeed. A gas block roll pin is what bent the one above. Hard to drive one of those straight, with the nature of the shape of a gas block.

Then again some people just enjoy jigs and collecting tools. To each his own.

 

[FRB]

Those amazon ones they look like they are "fallopious" type

What are you saying? They look like a Catholic priest?

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

Lowers are rather simple indeed. A gas block roll pin is what bent the one above. Hard to drive one of those straight, with the nature of the shape of a gas block.

Then again some people just enjoy jigs and collecting tools. To each his own.

I see. Was the pin maybe too large/the holes too small? I've never used a roll pin punch on a roll pin. Ever.

 

[cgrutt]

Yeah that last gas block was a PITA but I got her out lol...

 

[FRB]

I see. Was the pin maybe too large/the holes too small? I've never used a roll pin punch on a roll pin. Ever.

Hah, lost the pin that came with the block, used one I got from unbranded.ar.... maybe it was not right, but I did just find the one I lost... figures. I looked everyplace and it shows up right in the middle of my work bench!

 

[kev74]

As @Mosinitis said above, start with a short punch, work up to longer punches as needed. That top one in the first pic is crazy long for anything on an AR.

I keep a cheapie set of harbor freight punches on my work bench that I've been using for over 10 years - and not just on guns. They're still serviceable. If they're not cutting it, I go to a Stanley set. When I really don't want to make a problem worse, I've got a really nice set (maybe Proto?) That I'll pull out.

If you break a bunch, grind the broken tip flat. It makes an awesome starter punch.

 

[FRB]

As @Mosinitis said above, start with a short punch, work up to longer punches as needed. That top one in the first pic is crazy long for anything on an AR.

I keep a cheapie set of harbor freight punches on my work bench that I've been using for over 10 years - and not just on guns. They're still serviceable. If they're not cutting it, I go to a Stanley set. When I really don't want to make a problem worse, I've got a really nice set (maybe Proto?) That I'll pull out.

If you break a bunch, grind the broken tip flat. It makes an awesome starter punch.

Thanks.... Lesson learned for sure. Long punches are weak! I have a short set on order.

 

[Saltwater60]

Serious question. Do people really have alot of difficulty building an AR? I've built lowers using a crescent wrench and ball point pen. What's with all these jigs and things to help with springs and pins?

I never had the tools until I was done building them. I’ve built three with a pair of channel locks, and a small screw driver and a wrench.
I bought the pin set for my pistol complete strips to send them out to be refinished. Never used them on my ar yet.

 

[Mosinitis]

Building an AR from new parts is simple. Driving out pins that where in there for some time can be a problem. Somewhat similar to repairing an old car. Better tools means less drama.

 

[Will556]

Serious question. Do people really have alot of difficulty building an AR? I've built lowers using a crescent wrench and ball point pen. What's with all these jigs and things to help with springs and pins?

It makes life and building a LOT easier having all the right specific tools. It can be done other ways with the wrong tools but it’ll be a more difficult and has higher chance of little things happening like scratching the anodizing/Cerakote on parts when assembling. Also having all the proper tools allows for assembling properly and making sure each portion is done to at least the minimum standard. People trying to hold a buffer tube between their legs and trying to wrench down on a castle nut aren’t even going to get close to 38-42ft lb’s.

 

[Will556]

One thing to watch out for is ROLLED UP PINS (don't know the proper name, but that's what they are). They look similar to roll pins, but there is a big difference. They are thinner metal rolled up into many turns, unlike the regular roll pin, which is just one turn and hollow in the center.
If you use a punch with a nipple to drive them out they start to cone and jam themselves in the hole. On these you need to use a flat face punch of exact diameter. I hate these pins, they are used in some gas blocks to hold the gas tube.

They are coiled spring pins. They’re actually nice as long as you can work with them. They are much stronger than a standard slotted spring pin and are able to be reused. You’re not really supposed to reuse the standard slotted spring pin.

 

[FRB]

They are coiled spring pins. They’re actually nice as long as you can work with them. They are much stronger than a standard slotted spring pin and are able to be reused. You’re not really supposed to reuse the standard slotted spring pin.

This bad bear:




vs:

 

[Robin]

I can name that tune in one note!
Robin