I HIGHLY recomend the Magpul BEV block. It locks into the barrel extension when installing the barrel nut, taking the torque load off of the upper receiver. My first vice block, and upper receiver/ barrel clamp blocks were home made, I chewed them out of 1" thick Tyvar with a circular saw, and a dremel. Im a mechanic by trade, so i didnt really need an armors wrench, i already had pin, and hook, type spanners. That worked well for my first build. After that i just got an armorers wrench so i wouldnt have to remember to bring work tools home. It wasnt until the third build that i splurged for roll pin starter punches. Theyre a convenience, but not a necessity. , A scribe, or straight pick can be handy. A set of t-handle allen wrenches is nice but a multi bit ratcheting screwdriver set works also. The float tubes I used came with a proprietary barrel nut, and barrel nut wrench. so that was one tool I didnt have to source. My bench block is a Wheeler i believe, its handy to hold components flat, and steady when installing pins.