Torque Wrench

T

terBC

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Super GunNutz
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I'm putting together a lower receiver for the first time and I've had a read through this guide here:

ar15.com/forums/t_3_4/226782_Assemble_your_own_LOWER__UPPER__FREE_FLOAT__TRIGGER__GAS_BLOCK___Step_by_step_instructions_.html

From reading through it it says you don't need a torque wrench or any special tools. I already have a tapco intrafuse AR wrench that I picked up for cheap but it doesn't have the 1/2" slot for a torque wrench to go into. Is it worth it to pick up something like this instead that has the slot for the torque wrench http://www.firearmsoutletcanada.com/wheeler-delta-series-ar-combo-tool.html#.V1S0CvkrJaQ and canadian tire happens to have torque wrenchs on sale for 49.99 this week.

I'm just wondering if they're really needed for the lower receive build, I don't mind spending the money on tools if they're actually needed or I could put that money towards something else like more ammo and stuff as this will probably be the only AR i'm going to build so the tools will get used once.

Thanks
 
I wouldn't bother with a torque wrench for castle nut. For the upper, YES it's a good idea. But even with a proper torque wrench, I've never used it on a lower build. You should be able to stake the castle nut to prevent it from loosening up, IF YOU WANT, but the 'tightness' of the buffer tube isn't critical whereas the barrel nut is.
 
Awesome thanks so it sounds like then tapco.com/products/ar/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=110 should be good enough for the castle nut. I haven't decided what I'm doing for an upper yet so if don't get a complete upper, I'll pick up a torque wrench for it they see to go on sale at Canadian Tire pretty regularly so that means I don't have to rush out and buy it this week.
 
I bought a wheeler torque wrench and bit set just for mounting scopes, and I have never regretted it. It's a very useful tool that you can get a lot of use out of. As far as I can see, every gun nut needs one just as much as a bore sighter and a shooting rest. They'really just plain handy to have around. I don't know about that specific torque wrench, but if it's decent quality, its a screamin deal.
 
PatchRat said:
I bought a wheeler torque wrench and bit set just for mounting scopes, and I have never regretted it. It's a very useful tool that you can get a lot of use out of. As far as I can see, every gun nut needs one just as much as a bore sighter and a shooting rest. They'really just plain handy to have around. I don't know about that specific torque wrench, but if it's decent quality, its a screamin deal.
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That's a good point I've been looking at picking up one of those wheeler fat wrenches when they go on sale, would one of those also work with building an upper receiver or are the bits too small? I've always thought as a FAT Wrench useful for scopes and smaller things but I could be wrong.
 
The Wheeler fat wrench is a screwdriver style torque wrench, the MasterCraft one you're looking at is a ratchet style. I believe the wheeler is in inch/pounds, and the MasterCraft is foot/pounds. Ratchet style for uppers, screwdriver style for optics. Both are used with assembly/disassembly of firearms and firearms accessories.
 
You don't really need a torque wrench for the barrel nut. Hand tighten until you meet resistance, and then tighten with the wrench so the next gas tube hole in the nut is aligned with the upper. You can tighten and loosen a couple of times to ensure the barrel is seated, but that is really it.
 
Any excuse to buy a new tool, I say go for it! I just bought that $50 canadian tire mastercraft torque wrench to replace a cheaper one I got from princess auto and it's actually very good quality and dead accurate. It's not an absolute necessity for the ar but if you could meet the standards for a low cost, why not? And it's also just super useful to have around and a necessity if you work on your cars like I do

Plus, it's also a stipulation on your man card
 
Yes, an excuse to buy new tool, I bought one from Canadian tire when it goes on sale, great for swiping barrel on AR and changing winter tire for friends. As for mounting scope, you can't beat the price from wheeler engineer fat wrench. My next purchase would be borka tool, great for backpacking.
 
Jason23 said:
Any excuse to buy a new tool, I say go for it! I just bought that $50 canadian tire mastercraft torque wrench to replace a cheaper one I got from princess auto and it's actually very good quality and dead accurate. It's not an absolute necessity for the ar but if you could meet the standards for a low cost, why not? And it's also just super useful to have around and a necessity if you work on your cars like I do

Plus, it's also a stipulation on your man card
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Is the mastercraft one that much better than the Princess Auto one? I saw that Princess Auto has them on sale for 19.99 and the Mastercraft ones are 49.99 on sale
 
terBC said:
Is the mastercraft one that much better than the Princess Auto one? I saw that Princess Auto has them on sale for 19.99 and the Mastercraft ones are 49.99 on sale
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Substantially better, you'll notice it right away. I would say it's worth pretty close to to its regular price of $100 so when it's 50% off, it's a no brainer
 
I have the Mastercraft and it is ok for the $ but in reality, it is not a great torque wrench. There are many better options but they will cost you substantially more that $49.
 
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