I want to do my first AR Build...

and I want to go cheap. Cheap doesnt neccesarily mean bad. I plan on starting next month. I am going to do some of my own research of course, but I am also interested in what you all have to say. Reccomendations on uppers, lowers and other parts.

There are a lot of options and opinions. For the first one, I'd lean toward the economy side so that you can play around with it to figure out what you like plus you aren't afraid to take it out and use it.

Precision distance or short-med range?
Plinking or take it to the sandbox?

These videos are a great starting point.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=11004/learn/

Bushmaster Carbon 15 is inexpensive...

Rifle kit from Palmetto State Armory for $479 and a Surplus Arms lower from Aim for $59+transfer and you got a nice rifle for around $550.

Dont forget the tools! Budget in an upper block and a barrel wrench and some punches. Im building a 22 upper later when i get my SBR paperwork in.

I've built/help build around 6 ARs off of Del-Ton kits and haven't had any issues with any of them. Specifically, I've used their 20" Rifle kit on a rifle I built for my father, their 16" lightweight kit on my wife's rifle, their M4 kit on a rifle built for my father-in-law and have friends with several M4 kits. I've used a Calvary Arms polymer lower for my wife's lightweight build and used Anvil Arms receivers on others.

Tanker, have you gotten started on this? I'm interested in doing a similar project.

Yo tanker - check this out - http://www.boomershooter.com/forums/index.php?/topic/4970-loki-complete-upper-group-buy/ - you can get 20% off LOKI uppers - I know the owner of LOKI and he has no issue shipping them to me in MS - I can also help you build the lower. LOKI makes great quality uppers and rifles