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7/22/2011 3:30:35 PM EDT
do i have to put the upper in a vice to install the barrel assembly or can i do it here at my desk?  i have the ar15 universal wrench.
7/22/2011 3:40:56 PM EDT
[#1]
I think its best to support the upper in a vice block for barrel installs.  Thats the only way I will do it.
7/22/2011 3:41:24 PM EDT
[#2]
Putting the upper in a vice block and in a vice is best
7/22/2011 3:51:09 PM EDT
[#3]
You will have a hard if not impossible time not putting the upper in a vice supported with a vice block.
7/22/2011 4:03:49 PM EDT
[#4]
No, you need a vice & upper block to properly install a barrel. Don't bubba it. Buy the correct tools.
7/22/2011 4:17:42 PM EDT
[#5]
Go ahead and take a chance of cracking the receiver. You next posts about "how to fix" the buggered up upper should be entertaining

Seriously, take the time to do it right and ensure a good result. Don't get in a hurry, thats when mistakes happen.
7/22/2011 5:21:35 PM EDT
[#6]
As posted above, get the right tools Especially since they are so inexpensive.

Model 1 Armorer's Action Block
7/22/2011 8:01:33 PM EDT
[#7]
I have the Model 1 action block, it works great!
7/23/2011 3:55:43 AM EDT
[#8]
Quoted:
I have the Model 1 action block, it works great!


I have one too and I have never had an issue with an upper build.  Certain things are must haves when building uppers.  If you don't, you will mess up parts and spend more in the long run.  Do you have any friends that have the tools you can borrow?  If not, I suggest posting in the hometown forum and see if any ARFORM members live near you may be willing to help.
7/23/2011 11:14:43 AM EDT
[#9]
thanks guys im taking your advise i do not wanna screw up my first build. i ordered a vice block. lol but it is going to look funny when i bring my rifle to work to use the vice
7/23/2011 11:18:24 AM EDT
[#10]
Quoted:
thanks guys im taking your advise i do not wanna screw up my first build. i ordered a vice block. lol but it is going to look funny when i bring my rifle to work to use the vice


Buy a cheap vice too.  I got mine at Lowe's for around $20.
7/23/2011 5:45:31 PM EDT
[#11]
its safer but youcan use a standard vise with rubber pads... if your going to do any building id invest in the right tools.....
7/23/2011 6:56:56 PM EDT
[#12]
I think the best way is to use a barrel extention tool with a torque wrench, then put your barrel nut wrench in the vice.
Proper torque is 30fp than line up the next closest hole.
This way there is no torque on the upper, it's all on the extention and barrel nut
Brownells sells these,(around $35 )  I modifided mine so I could use it on the AR10 extentions also
(part  #080-000-637AD)
7/23/2011 7:06:59 PM EDT
[#13]
Quoted:
I think the best way is to use a barrel extention wrench with a tork wrench, then put your barrel nut wrench in the vice.
Proper tork is 35fp than line up the next closest hole.
This way there is no tork on the upper, it's all on the extention and barrel nut
Brownells sells these,(around $30 )  I modifided mine so I could use it on the AR10 extentions also


Say what?
7/23/2011 7:30:32 PM EDT
[#14]
Quoted:
I think the best way is to use a barrel extention wrench with a tork wrench, then put your barrel nut wrench in the vice.
Proper tork is 35fp than line up the next closest hole.
This way there is no tork on the upper, it's all on the extention and barrel nut
Brownells sells these,(around $30 )  I modifided mine so I could use it on the AR10 extentions also


Huh?
7/24/2011 7:59:20 PM EDT
[#15]
Quoted:
I think the best way is to use a barrel extention wrench with a tork wrench, then put your barrel nut wrench in the vice.
Proper tork is 35fp than line up the next closest hole.
This way there is no tork on the upper, it's all on the extention and barrel nut
Brownells sells these,(around $30 )  I modifided mine so I could use it on the AR10 extentions also

What ?

Torque range is 30-80 ft lbs start looking for alignment as you approach 30.



7/25/2011 11:30:34 AM EDT
[#16]
Checked the info when I got home today, and Direct-Drive is correct with the torque info 30fp and not to exceed 80fp
Brownells part  #080-000-637AD $35
7/25/2011 2:31:12 PM EDT
[#17]
Quoted:
I think the best way is to use a barrel extention tool with a torque wrench, then put your barrel nut wrench in the vice.


That is the first time I had heard of this method, and it sounds interesting.  Just out of curiosity, what is the torque spec on a barrel extension?  I know there is the index pin, but it wasn't meant to counter any torque.  And it seems that the index pin will be dragging the receiver with it as it turns.  Again, not what it was designed to do.

Do you arrange this vertically or horizontally.  Horizontally seems like it would be lots of fun keeping the upper assembly pushed against the barrel nut while torquing down on the extension wrench up to 80 ft/lbs.  And vertically seems like it would make it a bit harder to get the alignment right.

There are more than one way to skin a deer, but I will stick with my way...
7/25/2011 2:59:24 PM EDT
[#18]
Quoted:
Quoted:
I think the best way is to use a barrel extention tool with a torque wrench, then put your barrel nut wrench in the vice.


That is the first time I had heard of this method, and it sounds interesting.  Just out of curiosity, what is the torque spec on a barrel extension.


The spec is 150ft lbs, but let me tell you from experience they are not all torqued to that spec.
7/26/2011 6:24:29 AM EDT
[#19]
Do you think it  makes any difference what end of the barrel you are applying torque from?
If you use a barrel vice your still putting same torque on the alinement pin.
I've never been able to get 150fp on a barrel extention, ( cant hold the barrel from turning past about 100fp) so I use red locktight also
7/26/2011 8:46:20 AM EDT
[#20]
Quoted:
Do you think it  makes any difference what end of the barrel you are applying torque from?
If you use a barrel vice your still putting same torque on the alinement pin.
I've never been able to get 150fp on a barrel extention, ( cant hold the barrel from turning past about 100fp) so I use red locktight also


For barrel mounting and barrel nut installs I started using a setup where I use two vices (one perm mounted to my bench and another heavy duty suction type) I align the barrel and upper and clamp them both down in the vices then I torque my barrel nut to the proper spec while aligning the hole with an old cut down gas tube.

For flash hider installs and removals I clamp the barrel only because I unscrewed a barrel extension once only having the upper clamped down and I know I didn't put 150ft lbs on it when it happened either that's why I say they aren't all torqued to that spec and using a barrel extension wrench to hold the barrel wouldn't be a good idea.
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