Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 13

Thread: Noveske Switchblock Info Sharing and Modification

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    TX
    Posts
    66
    Feedback Score
    0

    Noveske Switchblock Info Sharing and Modification

    Neat product but not a lot of information online or parts available from Noveske.

    Prior to purchasing, Noveske did say that that normal port was wide open and the gas regulation was based off the barrel port size. They did not disclose the size of the S port.

    I figured that Noveske was a good manufacturer and I had good experiences with them in the past so I ponied up $200 for the 10.5” Carbine 5.56 SB. I also ordered a pin gauge set.

    The plan was to use the SB on a 10.5” barrel (cut down 14.5/16’ carbine gas with 0.063-.070” gas port).

    Upon receiving the SB and the pin gauge set, I went ahead and measured the S port to be 0.063". From reports I read about here, it seemed on the large side for a dedicated suppressed port.

    I needed a 1/16” Starter punch (not a 1/16” regular punch) to take it apart. Their patent contains clear diagrams.

    With the barrel I was planning to use, this SB was essentially only a barrel port/off switch. Decided to give modifying it a try since I was past the point of returning it. Basic idea was to do a BRT style port insert into the drum of the SB.







    Still need to get it put back together then finish collecting parts/assemble the upper before I can test it. I expect to have to open up the new threaded S port some. May also open the old S port/new Normal port a bit. Ideally a BRT FSB port will fit. The 0.042" vented 8-32x1/8 screws are below flush with the drum..

    Obviously, the markings on the SB body are now opposite of their actual function. Taping both ports or just the S port would retain correct markings. I went with the larger port because it was low risk. If it didn’t work out, it would not function any differently than how it came from the factory. If you have a properly ported barrel, taping just the S port may be the way to go.

    Also shown is a non-Noveske sourced straight gas tube.

    If doing it again, I would order a 16” Carbine 5.56 model to get the smallest port.

    Requests/Suggestions for Noveske to improve an already good product:

    Publish port sizes or answer when asked.

    Sell the gas tubes separately. You used to and they can be obtained from other vendors. Selling the tubes would allow users to take the SB from one barrel set up to another.

    Offer just the drums for sale: Could start by offering the current drums you make and let the users pick what the want. Even better would be to do an occasional run of custom drums or standard port size pairs, similar to the Govnah plates (ex: 0.070/.049, 0.073/.052). This would also fix the problem of an oversized barrel port or save people the hassle of having a long barrel cut down to set the size of the normal mode port. Another option would be to sell a drum with just pilot holes for users to open up as they desire, similar to the JP large frame version.

    Since the SB is already exposed/not tucked under a hand guard, swapping drums/tuning could be an easy thing to do. Just remove the pin, swap drums, re-install pin.
    Last edited by Bob Sacamano; 09-05-17 at 22:08.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Oregon
    Posts
    4,630
    Feedback Score
    2 (100%)
    Good luck with your not SB gas tube...

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    TX
    Posts
    66
    Feedback Score
    0
    Good eye, I see it now. Easy to change/specify on another one. It was more proof of availability vs need.
    Last edited by Bob Sacamano; 09-05-17 at 20:33.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Location
    Lowcountry, SC.
    Posts
    6,175
    Feedback Score
    30 (100%)
    Thanks for the measurements. I very much like your idea of Noveske offering other size drums. That would make it worth the money, perhaps.

    I've noticed in lists of barrel port sizes that thicker gas block journals (.650" vs .750") use larger diameter ports in the same brand barrel. Which makes sense because length of a tube has an effect on resistance to flow. Perhaps a 0.063" port on a gas block that is tall enough to need a straight gas tube flows like a smaller sized port.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Posts
    2,409
    Feedback Score
    5 (100%)
    Neat to see one apart and how it works. Very simple. Are those standard bolt gas rings it uses for a seal?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    TX
    Posts
    66
    Feedback Score
    0
    It is very well designed/elegant. Yes, I believe standard gas rings.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Oregon
    Posts
    4,630
    Feedback Score
    2 (100%)
    Yes it uses standard AR bolt gas rings.

    And the roll pin is the same dia as a regular AR, 5/64 if you are ordering a punch. I've actually found it easier to source 2mm punches. 2mm is only a few tenths different than 5/64.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Posts
    1,871
    Feedback Score
    25 (100%)
    Cool idea! Nice ground work. I love the concept of the Switch Block but favor using rails it is not compatible with. So I stick with inserts.
    I'll be updating my DIY gas-port regulating, gas-block insert thread as soon as I get the gumption to wade through all the photobucket pictures to another host.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    TX
    Posts
    66
    Feedback Score
    0
    Thank you. Your thread is what gave me the idea and turned me onto BRT ports. I did not find it before photobucket crapped out so I look forward to reading it again when the pictures are back.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Posts
    31
    Feedback Score
    15 (100%)
    Great thread and wonderful pics. Thanks OP!

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •