Gonna take the plunge..........

[fatbaldguy]

I found Anderson stripped lowers for $40.  PSA has a lower parts kit  fire control that I like for around $60, and I can get the 'enhanced' Mil-Spec fire control kit for around $70.  I can do that much in a month or so and not have the missus hagging at me too much.  What tools am I going to need to do a complete build from parts?  I'll be building from a stripped upper too.

[Big Frank]

The main thing you need for the upper is a barrel wrench. You can probably get by with tools you have for everything else if you have patience. Mil-spec grease for the barrel nut is moly but you don't have to buy it just for this project.

[alfsauve]

If you buy an upper already assembled you can skip on the barrel wrench.  That's how I did my first build.  And as it happens... look who has a complete upper on sale.  (Well you will still need a BCG and handle.)

At http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?groupid=7011&name=CBC+Industries+.223%2f5.56+KEYMOD+M4+Barreled+Upper

[jaybet]

I bought an upper from them and was completely satisfied.

[fatbaldguy]

Should have said, I'm looking to put a 20 inch barrel on it.  Those don't look particularly cheap though.

[Sponsor]

[Pathfinder]

In this case, Youtube IS your friend. Watch the videos at Brownell's or elsewhere on YT, the AR is chock full of little fiddly bits that like to launch themselves into the ether, never to be seen again!!!

This is especially true about assembling the forward pivot pin. There is a set of detent pin tools that saved my sanity when I finally got a pair.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/919925/wheeler-engineering-delta-series-pivot-pin-detent-and-roll-pin-installation-tool-ar-15-steel

[les snyder]

as commented a good barrel and castle nut wrench... one of the plastic "saddle" blocks that hold the upper securely... a good 3/16" punch, preferably a dedicated roll pin punch to install the roll pin on the bolt hold open without marring the side of the lower... a slave pin (5/32" I've used a wooden match stick) so you can align the disconnector in the trigger assembly... just push it out of the way with the pin when you install the trigger... borrow a torque wrench so you can tighten the barrel nut correctly... though you can probably get by with a "tight" nut if the holes line up for the gas tube... check the alignment of the gas tube in the upper so that it is parallel to the sides of the upper if you have a gas block that is set screwed on... lube the hell out of it before you shoot it