[sniper69]

Well, I got my AMD-63 parts kit in today and it is beautiful. I can't wait to put this gun together. I also ordered to blanks from ACE today in the group buy section..what a deal! Anyway, I'm getting excited about the build and want to go ahead and pick up some of the necessary tools. This is my first build, so you guys will have to forgive me for the more basic questions. First off, for measuring, what kind of calipers would you recommend? The electronic or dial? Any specific recommendations for a decent pair that won't kill my pocketbook? Also, I need all the necessary drill bits and files. What type of drill bits will I need? One the Ace Arms website, they sell the cobalt bits. Should I look for ones like this or are there alternatives? Last, I do have a dremel, but i figure for some of the curved corners such as the magwell, I will need some files. What do you guys suggest for this as well?

Edit: Forgot to ask about a wrench for tapping? Any suggestions on this would be great.

I have to agree that the digital calipers are the way to go, although I have to admit I have a dial caliper that is marked in metric. For a digital caliper Harbor freight has some for around 18-22 dollars. Although if you want name brand I always liked the mitutoyo and the starrett brands. But they are more money to get (like around $100 +). For drill bits I bought a set similar to what harbor freight sells. They work great, but are harder than hell to get out of a hole if you break one off. For files I recommend an assortment of different shapes and size. Also get a file handle or two, they fit over the pointed handle of a file and keep your hands safer. As for tapping, I have a tap handle like those sold at home depot, lowes, sears, HF, etc. Not to expensive (under $10) and it works good. Just make sure that you keep it straight.

 

[sniper69]

Does anyone know if Brownells has any of the tools that we've been talking about that are decent? I have my C&R on file with them and get a pretty hefty discount on many things Are they worth a shot? Last, are these the drill bits you guys were talking about: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=1611 Or you guys talking about the $79 cobalt ones?

yep those are the drill bits. As for brownells they do have the name brand calipers (do a search with keyword calipers). Brownells also sells headspace gauges. As for the other stuff - I'm not sure (I'm sure they sell files etc, but don't know from personal experience).

 

[sniper69]

"you guys are not going to like my calipers,,, I have to look carefully and read the slide. kind of old fashoned but they work"



what kind of calipers have slides?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=7914 ones like at the link. They are the same design as a digital or dial caliper setup just you read them like it is a sliding scale, for lack of better way of putting it. The slide calipers I had to use one time were made by starrett (it made me appreciate the digital all the more, and I never forgot my toolbox key after that, lol).

 

[sniper69]

SNIPER69
I think the days of guys knowing how to read I slideing scale are allmost over, gone the way of the slide rule to do complicated math. Good luck finding anyone that even knows how to read it. now they just look at the digital read out. not that I am saying that is bad but how to read I slideing scale is allmost a lost art now..
P.S. I realy think my set are just a bit nicer than the HF plastic set, but that is the design, they are as accurate as you are carefull in reading them

I'm sure the set you have, hotbarrel, is nicer than the HF set. It is probably one of the nice metal sets. I was just using the HF link as an example to show what they look like. I feel a lot of things seem to be a lost art. But then again, even though I love technology, I feel it is important to know how to do things in case of a lack of technology. It is amazing how many people can't measure without a digital readout (I worked with some guys that couldn't even read a dial caliper). But that is another story...