Hey folks,
In the process of putting together my lpk and I just wanted to make sure I got the right sizes.
3/32 for the bolt catch pin?
and
1/8 for the trigger guard pin?
thanks in advance
I don’t use a punch for the bolt catch pin… I press it in using modified pliers or a padded (with rubberized tape) C-clamp.
Drives the pin in slick as you please and no danger of marring the receiver.
Same with the Trigger guard. Padded (w/ electrical tape) C-clamp.
Thats a good idea. I’ve been searching all night on the forums for alternative ways of driving the bolt catch pin in. Went to Sears today and spent $20 on a 6pc roll pin punch set just to get the 1/8 roll pin punch out of it. All the other punches are pretty much useless to me. They don’t sell the roll pin punches individually at any of the local stores. 
and the 3/32 roll pin punch seems to be only sold online and it cost $15 for the special bolt catch roll pin punch! argg.
+1 on The_Hammer_Man’s technique. Just be sure that the surface of the pliers or clamp or whatever you are using is fully covered. Otherwise, you will scratch the finish and the matte black paint will make an appearance.
The technique mentioned above works great, I use it also. You may still want to use a pin punch to center the roll pin, and you’ll need one if you ever want to remove it. Ace Hardware sells individual pin punches for 6 to 8 dollars depending on the size.
I bought a roll pin punch specially designed for the bolt catch pin. The flat side allows it to easily clear the mag well edges and drive the pin in without scarfing it up. They’re like $15. Definitely simplifies the process, especially useful if you or your buddys are ever going to assemble more lowers.
Another useful tool for me has been a pivot pin detent installation tool. Over the years, I don’t know how many detents I’ve launched. This thing turns it into a 10 second first-time-every-time process.
I use both the tools HMAC mentioned and they work great, built 4 or 5 lowers with them.
Were both of those tools obtained on brownells?
For the BHO, I use a roll pin starter and then the Brownell’s tool shown above - I’ll never go back to any other way.
For the front pivot detent I use something similar to the tool shown above but simpler - a clevis pin. It came as a part of an inexpensive nylon assembly block kit from a guy on TOS, another handy purchase. His block can be used to set TG rollpins and also to easily depress the mag catch button during installation with no marring.
A few cheap tools can go a long way to making a lower build quickly. As an example, I built up a totally stripped lower today in about 20 minutes with no marring using my tools - a far cry from the old days.
I just use a hammer. The finish is gonna get jacked up anyway if you use your rifle any. For the detents, single sided razor blade works perfect, never launched one yet.