So I received my Noveske stripped lower in and also the DD lpk that I ordered, I am going to order some tools very soon so I can finally have this thing built, I am planning on ordering a vise block an the roll pin starters and punches that I need, when I compiled all the things I needed it was going to be $42 in punches alone and that was only for 8 of them. So my question is, do I really need roll pin holders/starters? Or can I start the roll pins with the actual roll pin punch? I searched and searched but to no avail.
Need? Probably not, but it will make it MUCH easier. I did not have one, but I ended up making one because I was struggling to get the pins in. I say get one.
Roll pin punches are not necessary but I find them helpful. With standard punches you run a grater risk of deforming the pin or having the punch slip and scratch the receiver.
Need for the starting punches no, but would it make life easier yes.
I did it with a vice grip and a small hammer to get them in. Just move a lot slower if you are going to do them this way. Not really difficult a little more time consuming i would say.
Roll pin holders are not really necessary. If you do a lot of work, then they are good to have. If you are only doing a couple rifles then a needle nose, or vise grips work very very well.
In this video I show both methods starting around the 6:00 mark.
Thanks man, I watched the vid and I think I am going to just get a set of roll pin punches and standard punches and try it your way, by the way, say I were to get a holder. Brownells states that I need a # 1,2,3 and 4 roll pin holder/starter for assembling a lower. Do I need all 4?
The only roll pins on the lower will be for the bolt catch and trigger guard. The bolt catch is a #3 roll pin holder and the trigger guard roll pin holder is a #4.
In all honesty if it were me and I were only doing a couple of lowers, I wouldn’t purchase them even with my discount price.
i’ve pushed roll pins through a piece of paper, used tweezers, needle-nose pliers, etc… i don’t ever have any trouble with LPK roll pins, but gas tube pins often get my blood boiling. and buffer roll pins- for all their size, i still have trouble getting those started sometimes. the other really aggrivating one is forward assist assembly roll pins- i think i’ve destroyed more of those than any other kind. if there were an extremely inexpensive, GOOD roll-pin holder/starter available, i’d probably buy one.
I never used a roll pin holder for my lowers. I really only needed for the gas tube pin. And like said above, the pin for the foreward assist was a real bitch. Infact, I will never get a stripped upper because of that.
If I am getting my roll pin holder numbers correct, which I am pretty sure I am, yes these are the only 2 you need for the lower. Again for $25 for my price from Brownells for the 2 holders, I would probably pass, unless if I do this often. Which I do.
OK, I just checked my kit and yes it is the #3 for the bolt catch pin and the #4 for the trigger guard.
Out of curiosity, are you guys depressing the forward assist inward then driving in the roll pin all the way through?
Start the roll pin (slightly). Then depress the forward assist and take a punch and push it through the opposite side hole until it hits the roll pin that you just started, then release tension on the forward assist. This captures the forward assist and the spring tension from the forward assist will hold the punch in place. Then using a punch drive the pin all the way in which will walk out the punch from the other side. When done correctly the pin goes in pretty easily, just like any other roll pin. If done incorrectly and not depressing the forward assist, you will fight like hell with it and probably mushroom / ruin quite a few pins.
