Thank for the link. The list will be most useful do to the fact I can't watch videos on my current internet. I believe assembly will not be an issue once I have the right tools. I'm learning. But have some mechanical aptitude.

If you can't watch vids, here is a good tutorial with text and drawings for the lower receiver. http://www.ar15.com/content/guides/assembly/lower/

There is also a short list of tools and how to tell which spring is which. This helped me a lot the first time.

Cool. Hopefully being a machinest I will already have some of what I need

You will also need a 1/2" drive torque wrench and a wrench for the barrel nut. If you are going to use a free-float hand guard, some times the manufacturer includes a wrench for their barrel nut.

Some of the tools, such as, the Ejector Removal Tool, Hammer Drop Block and the Pivot Pin Installation Tool are not strictly necessary but make things easier.

Ok this seems it will be a long list.

Mike, if you're concerned with cost then you should know that you will be spending more money building an AR than you would be buying a complete one. It used to be the other way around but not anymore. I would just try and find something that comes as close as possible to meeting your requirements, then changing whatever it is that will make it exactly what you want.

I bought a complete upper assembly minus the bcg and rear sight, a complete lower assembly, a bcg, and a rear sight. All that gave me a complete rifle. I changed the six position stock to a fixed stock, changed the pg, and slightly upgraded the trigger, and now I have the exact rifle I want. I would've spent more money doing a complete build, but I would've spent less if I would've bought a complete rifle then changed the parts.

^^^ while I so want a good deal I want to also have experince. Maybe I need to start like you suggested. My ffl can get a spikes complet lower with m4 stick for $270

I think this is true and it isn't. Yes you can buy a base bottom barrel AR cheaper than you can build one but you can build a mid grade and up AR for much less than you can buy one and if you take your time and are careful you will only have to spend the money once because it will be the way you want it from the start. Not trying to call you out Spidy as I am sure you know this just putting it out there for anyone who doesn't know.

Well, I will agree with you if you're replacing major components like a barrel. If you're replacing a barrel or something similar in price then I would say you're nowhere near being close to exactly what you want. I'm talking furniture and other less costly components.

I built one just for the experience. I kept track of the parts cost and some day I will add it all up to see what it cost me. I do know it was fun and a great experience. And since I am a tool junkie. I also bought all the specialized tools for the next build. That did make the build easier but they were not completely necessary. I learned a lot that I would not have if I bought a complete rifle.