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Posted: 3/14/2013 1:05:38 PM EDT
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Quick question for folks, what's the diameter of the gas tube alignment tool? at that stage of the build. Don't want to keep ordering tools I'll only use once.
Thanks. |
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Quoted:
I just use the gas tube. Little difference. Just let it hang when finalizing the nut index. Stop when it's parallel to the barrel. No big whoop. Unless you go just a little too far and have to back off a teeny bit...... And the nut slips...... And guillotines your gas tube. Ask me how I know... |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I just use the gas tube. Little difference. Just let it hang when finalizing the nut index. Stop when it's parallel to the barrel. No big whoop. Unless you go just a little too far and have to back off a teeny bit...... And the nut slips...... And guillotines your gas tube. Ask me how I know... Tsk tsk. There should be no galling of the nut if you used proper lubrication. But I could see that happening. Pull the tube out before backing off, I suppose. Alignment probably should be an increasing torque maneuver when I think about it. I also use a long breaker bar on the final alignment. Leverage is a good thing. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I just use the gas tube. Little difference. Just let it hang when finalizing the nut index. Stop when it's parallel to the barrel. No big whoop. Unless you go just a little too far and have to back off a teeny bit...... And the nut slips...... And guillotines your gas tube. Ask me how I know... 
That's sounds like something I would do...not laughing at you, laughing with you. |
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You can cut the end off a fubar'd gas tube. Look through the other end of the receiver and if you can see the gas tube hole on the FSB, you got it.
I let one of the regulars borrow mine, an actual alignment tool.. Perhaps they could mail it to you and you can use it. |
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Quoted:
I like this idea... a long drill bit would likely serve the purpose. Personally I just take it out and apply a little more pressure (agreed - breaker bar is nice) and check again. Sometimes it takes a time or two, but never fubar'd a gas tube (knock on wood!)  drill rod is not a drill bit. |
| Diameter of my new tube is .164" near sight/gas block and .1765 (at point where it enters the bolt key). I have a longer tube I could use but feel bad about "wasting" a perfectly good tube by cutting it down. Doing that is still probably less expensive than ordering the tool, shipping, etc. Using the Kuleck-McKee book for instructions. |
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The first build can be a little worrisome. I used Kuleck-McKee's book for my first build (didn't know about this sight), didn't know the internet had everything you need. Of course, Youtube probably didn't exist.
In any case, that book is not the greatest. It's OK but there's much better information here. I made my own gas nut alignment tube out of some stainless rod that I sanded down. What a waste of time. Of course, now, a torque wrench is a waste of time. I do highly recommend pre-torqueing/pre-stretching the barrel nut a couple three times before final alignment. And try not to use a grease with any graphite in it (although that's only for very long term life). Every build I've done after the first one, I've used the gas tube hanging out along the barrel extended as far as it'll stay in the hole. Never an issue. |
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