Semi build started today with Lower completed.

[HA556]

So, completed my Anderson lower build today. Just ordered the upper from PSA that's why it is only a semi-build. Did all the work at my desk with tools on hand. No vise or blocks. Just a lot of painters tape to ensure no marking up the receiver. I also put in a RA 140 Super Sporter trigger in this one.

Read More

 

[Member 3687]

Good start what setup you doing for for the upper. 16 in, 20 in 14.5 tell us more.

 

[HA556]

Here is the upper I ordered from PSA.

PSA 16" 5.56 NATO 1/7 Midlength-Length Nitride 13.5" Lightweight Keymod Upper - No BCG or CH - 516445149

 

[Diamondback]

See that? That's a utility room as photo backdrop. So everybody BACK OFF about me doing my gunsmithing on the john!

 

[HA556]

Sorry for that! My desk and work bench are in the utility room unfortunately for me.

 

[Diamondback]

Not a knock, bro--we use the workspace we can get, right? "Improvise, Adapt, Overcome." *fist bump*

 

[HA556]

Yep, that's why I have no vise to work on my lowers or uppers.

 

[Diamondback]

Won't help with uppers, but for lowers you might look into the Wheeler AR Armorer's Vise. Small and light enough to be portable, heavy enough to do assembly work with no bench required--I used mine to knock my lower together on a hotel-room desk. (I cheated, since I had no tools at all just started at the fully loaded Armorer Ultra Kit... a package capable of more than I'll probably ever be, marred only by the absence of screwdrivers and Allen wrenches for installing pistol grips--though I'm considering adding a carrier-key staker and a gas-block dimple tool as "Nice To Haves".)

 

[Flopsweat]

See that? That's a utility room as photo backdrop. So everybody BACK OFF about me doing my gunsmithing on the john!

Nobody said you built your rifle in the john. They said it looked like you built it in the john.

 

[Diamondback]

With this damned gut flu sending me running every hour or so, I may actually HAVE to start smithing on the loo if it keeps up...

Besides, you have to admit that as long as you keep the drain plugged bathtub walls make a great "flying parts trap."

 

[Stomper]

See that? That's a utility room as photo backdrop. So everybody BACK OFF about me doing my gunsmithing on the john!

We're not knocking using the John, it's you not fessing up to the REAL reason all your stuff is FDE!!

 

[Diamondback]

We're not knocking using the John, it's you not fessing up to the REAL reason all your stuff is FDE!!

LOL, no FDE here at all... stainless, blued, Parkerized or anodized only. (Well, aside from some green Duracoat/Cerakote/paint if the build for the girlfriend's use when visiting goes forward...) I'll leave the fancy vanity-colors artsy-fartsy crap to Yuppie Gunnies.

 

[Flopsweat]

LOL, no FDE here at all... stainless, blued, Parkerized or anodized only. (Well, aside from some green Duracoat/Cerakote/paint if the build for the girlfriend's use when visiting goes forward...) I'll leave the fancy vanity-colors artsy-fartsy crap to Yuppie Gunnies.

Anodized... Is that code for something?

 

[Diamondback]

Anodized... Is that code for something?

No, that's finishing for cheap aluminum since Stoner didn't use God's Chosen Metal of 4340 Ordnance Steel as The Lord and His Prophet John Moses Browning *intended* guns to be made of.

God, y'all got crappy senses of humor... (Then again, the same has been said of me too--Grandpa was none too thrilled when as a wee one I booby-trapped his commode with Pop-its...)

 

[Flopsweat]

No, that's finishing for cheap aluminum since Stoner didn't use God's Chosen Metal of 4340 Ordnance Steel as The Lord and His Prophet John Moses Browning *intended* guns to be made of.

God, y'all got crappy senses of humor... (Then again, the same has been said of me too--Grandpa was none too thrilled when as a wee one I booby-trapped his commode with Pop-its...)

LOL, God's Chosen Metal. You get two more unofficial likes.

 

[Member 3687]

Here is the upper I ordered from PSA.

PSA 16" 5.56 NATO 1/7 Midlength-Length Nitride 13.5" Lightweight Keymod Upper - No BCG or CH - 516445149

So do you already have a Bolt Carrier Group picked out or are you like me and that is next payday's project. Palmetto's premium BCG group seems to work great in a couple of my projects. I measured it compared to several other companies (That cost a lot more) and the tolerances seem to be the same.

Side note: I have seen guys mount a magnet to a medium vice to mount it to things like washer and dryers just make sure you put a rag between them so no scratches (especially if you're married) and they also make a couple vacuum/suction cup style if you decide to keep building them but a solid bench mounted works best.

I have never used a vice to build a lower a heavy towel and a kitchen table works great but uppers I go the shop as you need a solid vice for the barrel nut. In fact I did a lower in the back of my van for a buddy using a cinder block and a 2x6 for a bench. As stated you before you "Improvise, Adapt, Overcome.".


Good look with it let us know when you done and how you like it.

 

[mjbskwim]

Won't help with uppers, but for lowers you might look into the Wheeler AR Armorer's Vise. Small and light enough to be portable, heavy enough to do assembly work with no bench required--I used mine to knock my lower together on a hotel-room desk. (I cheated, since I had no tools at all just started at the fully loaded Armorer Ultra Kit... a package capable of more than I'll probably ever be, marred only by the absence of screwdrivers and Allen wrenches for installing pistol grips--though I'm considering adding a carrier-key staker and a gas-block dimple tool as "Nice To Haves".)

Why won't the vise help with an upper?
I have a block to hold the receiver in a vise.

 

[HA556]

So do you already have a Bolt Carrier Group picked out or are you like me and that is next payday's project. Palmetto's premium BCG group seems to work great in a couple of my projects. I measured it compared to several other companies (That cost a lot more) and the tolerances seem to be the same.

Side note: I have seen guys mount a magnet to a medium vice to mount it to things like washer and dryers just make sure you put a rag between them so no scratches (especially if you're married) and they also make a couple vacuum/suction cup style if you decide to keep building them but a solid bench mounted works best.

I have never used a vice to build a lower a heavy towel and a kitchen table works great but uppers I go the shop as you need a solid vice for the barrel nut. In fact I did a lower in the back of my van for a buddy using a cinder block and a 2x6 for a bench. As stated you before you "Improvise, Adapt, Overcome.".


Good look with it let us know when you done and how you like it.

Yep, BCG is next paydays treat! Not sure at this point what I'm going to put in but, I am thinking of one of those Nickel Boron BCG's. I'm holding off on any kind of vise right now as the wife and I are hoping to sell our current house this summer and move to something single level. One of the must haves is a work space for me!

 

[11Charlie]

Man cave for building guy stuff is a must

Thats what my wife says. I just think she wants me out of her space

 

[Diamondback]

Why won't the vise help with an upper?
I have a block to hold the receiver in a vise.

Because the Wheeler Armorer Vise isn't a clamp-type vise at all. It's the big center piece at the rear here:

That's the kit I have... as I said, it's probably more capable than I'll ever be.