Assembly/Disassembly: what tools do I need?

[Joe Van Wie]

I am only doing one kit and I am a college student with a very limited budget. What are the manditory tools needed to assemble this rifle? Where can I get the "special" FAL tools?

Links would be great.
Thanks!

[Jen]

1. Get Gunplumbers FAL workbook and send him the $5 or get his Video, both are worth the money.

2. Basic Tools:
<UL> Receiver Wrench for installing your Barrel Buttstock Tool (You can Improvise) Headspace Guages (Go/NoGo) Screw Driver Open Ended Box Wrench that Fits the Barrel Flats (I believe it's 27mm) To tighten up your Barrel A Good Vise big enough to hold the Receiver Wrench with the Receiver in it (To tighten on the Barrel) A File[/list]

Read thru the Gunplumbers workbook (http://www.arizonaresponsesystems.com), Determine what else you may need from there. Ask questions here, we've all been thru this before (Well, maybe not all of us, but quite a few of us!).

[Wadman]

Also scan through old posts in the gunsmithing section for tidbits on assembly. If you're assembling an STG barrel on an IMBEL receiver, many people including myself have had to take material off the barrel shoulder.

I improvised on tools by using a long T-handled 3/32" Allen wrench as a stock tool. If you need to take material off the barrel shoulder, you'll need access to a lathe or you'll need to improvise. This is also covered in past posts in the gunsmithing section.

[Benjamin]

If you are willing to forego the thrill of barreling the reciever yourself, you can assemble the FAL with just a set of screwdrivers, GP's video, a few punches and a hammer.

If you only intend to do one (yes, I know, it's addictive) it's cheaper and easier to farm the barreling/headspace work out to a competent smith. I lucked out, a buddy did it for $40 as a favor.

Just another avenue to FAL-dom

Ben

[biff]

all right im going try and build a couple fal's. from what i read the following is what i need.

1. vice
2. 27mm wrench
3. rec. wrench
4. go/nogo gauges
5. ARS assy. video (just for a guide)

questions are:
is the ARS video better than the binder of printed info he has?

what was the name of the Rec. wrench to get? i forget. one brand seems to be alot better then the rest.

did i forget anything??

thanks for any help

[Jen]

Well.. the video SHOWS you how to do it, the book just tells you.

You want the Elliot Enterprises Receiver Wrench. It's listed on the Vendors listing on the main page (http://www.fnfal.com/falfiles/)

You'll need something to help you remove the recoild spring.. if you just unscrew the nut holding it without any way to retain it, you will be in a world of pain.. Either a Buttstock Tool (These run about $15-20) will work, or you can improvise. There are instructions for a simple tool on the main site.

You'll need a screw driver for the various screws, preferably a hollow ground flat head.

[Abominog]

The ARS video has some neat "tricks" that I'd never thought of. If you have to get one or the other, get the video...while you're ordering it, pay Mark another $10, and download his shareware. The shareware is almost the same as the bound book.

[Wadman]

You may also want a set of pin gauges to work with the go,no-go gauges in determining headspace. The pin gauges will tell you the correct locking shoulder size you'll need. For the recoil spring tube plug, a long, thin screwdriver, .22 cal cleaning rod w/handle, or a T-handle hex wrench will work.

[biff]

when you say pin gauges couldnt i just use feeler gauges instead?? i have never even seen a headspace gauge so i dont really know exactly what your talking about.

i think the buttstock tool is only $15 from tapco. have heard that process can be a real pain in the ass with out it. thanks for the replies.