My hokey buffer tube vise block

[bb223]

Hey guys,

I don't have a way to solidly hold my lower in a vice to tighten the castle nut on my KAK pistol buffer tube. I have the receiver extension holder from Botach for regular M4 extensions but it doesn't seem like it will hold my KAK tube because there is no rib on the bottom and it's just a round tube.

I made up two of these blocks with a 1 3/16 hole drilled through them then cut in half.

It seems to hold it pretty solidly and I am probably being ridiculous, but should I have any concern about the buffer tube being crushed if I lock it down with these blocks in a vise?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v467/Hydrashock/Mobile%20Uploads/E1289969-B329-4F2B-B4D9-3A86DB84F60B_zpsuwwmmis5.jpg

I don't really think it's something I should be too worried about but I figured asking here couldn't hurt.

Thanks!

[MegademiC]

Line it with some rubber, make sure radius is similar to type and your good. You shouldn't get close to breaking the static friction tightening a castle nut.

Edit, take the blade off and run the 2x4 lengthwise so you can quadruple your friction/surface area.

[bb223]

I have a second block I'm going to take the blade off to use.

The fact that the hole is smaller than the diameter of the tube seems to give it a pretty good grip and I think two would work awesome for holding it.

I was just mainly worried about possibly crushing the tube. I try to use proper tools and jigs but in the case of this pistol tube, I had to improvise and am slightly apprehensive about it.

[straitR]

RE's are extruded aluminum, so yes, it wouldn't be too terribly difficult to crush or deform one by clamping it in a vice with make-shift blocks.

My suggestion would be to buy the proper tools, in this case, a lower vice block. If you must make something, then create a wooden magwell vice block instead of something to clamp the RE tube. I've read of people using 1"x3", 2"x4", and even an old mag filled with epoxy.

Here is one example... http://diy-defense.blogspot.com/2015/02/diy-lower-receiver-action-block-vise.html

[GH41]

My version.. This one is teak and on a base for clamping to my bench. I have another for the vise without the base.
http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/t414/ghchhisc/AR%20stand_zps2gunn2pj.jpg

[bb223]

RE's are extruded aluminum, so yes, it wouldn't be too terribly difficult to crush or deform one by clamping it in a vice with make-shift blocks.

My suggestion would be to buy the proper tools, in this case, a lower vice block. If you must make something, then create a wooden magwell vice block instead of something to clamp the RE tube. I've read of people using 1"x3", 2"x4", and even an old mag filled with epoxy.

Here is one example... http://diy-defense.blogspot.com/2015/02/diy-lower-receiver-action-block-vise.html

I can whip one of those up no problem.

Only reason I don't have one is because I always thought mag blocks were not the right thing to use when installing the RE.

Am I incorrect?

[Eric D.]

A mag well block will work for installation. YMMV if you you're removing a RE with aggressive endplate staking.
This is the most recent tool I've acquired that I've starting using though: https://rguns.net/shop/r-guns-barrelreceiver-block-set/

[MegademiC]

You won't get close to crush the tube if you use a lot of surface area. Clamp the length of the tube, or close, and use rubber liner. You don't need much force.

Or make a mag block.

[EzGoingKev]

https://geissele.com/reaction-block-ar15-m4-mil-spec-buffer-tube-only.html

[Iraqgunz]

Have you ever seen a properly made receiver extension get crushed in a vise before?


RE's are extruded aluminum, so yes, it wouldn't be too terribly difficult to crush or deform one by clamping it in a vice with make-shift blocks.

My suggestion would be to buy the proper tools, in this case, a lower vice block. If you must make something, then create a wooden magwell vice block instead of something to clamp the RE tube. I've read of people using 1"x3", 2"x4", and even an old mag filled with epoxy.

Here is one example... http://diy-defense.blogspot.com/2015/02/diy-lower-receiver-action-block-vise.html

[GH41]

https://geissele.com/reaction-block-ar15-m4-mil-spec-buffer-tube-only.html

That won't do anything for the OP.

[bb223]

https://geissele.com/reaction-block-ar15-m4-mil-spec-buffer-tube-only.html

I have the Botach rip off of that, works great on milspec M4-type REs.

No go on my pistol tube.

[EzGoingKev]

What is the OD of the tube?

[straitR]

Have you ever seen a properly made receiver extension get crushed in a vise before?

No, I have not, because I would never try to secure thin walled aluminum tubing into a vice with the intent of torquing on it.

Your question implies the KAK RE is properly made and that clamping it into a vice with enough force to put 40lbs on castle nut is ok. Is this your recommendation? What do you teach in your AR15 armorer course?

[P2000]

I hold the flat part of the RE in a vice when installing castle nuts, with support on the magwell to prevent rotation in the vice. Never had an issue. I don't crank on the vice either.

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