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Posted: 8/24/2011 5:58:10 PM EDT
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Yesterday, I upgraded my home built AR-15's handguard, from the previous clamp-on Magpul MOEs, to a Yankee Hill "customizable" free float tube, rifle length. Customizable in Yankee-speak means I can leave the tube smooth, sans any rails, at least for now. My objective is enhanced accuracy, but I miss the feeling of Magpul's textured plastic on my support hand.
I do like the skinny 2" tube, as the MOEs were a little too fat, but somehow, the bare aluminum tube needs a covering on its rear section. Something that provides texture and a friendly feel for my bare support hand, while insulating against any heat or cold convecting from the aluminum. I've seen some people wrap their aluminum HGs in nylon parachute cord, but that seems too thick. My biker friend wraps his exhaust pipes in a kind of fabric tape that insulates against heat transfer to their legs. The ideal solution would be a flat, non-adhesive-backed, heat resistant, strip of material I can wrap around the tube and secure the end with some double-backed tape. Something about 1.5 inches wide and 2 feet long would do the trick. I thought about an Ace bandage cut to fit, but I'm afraid it would melt all over the HG the first time it got hot. Any suggestions? thx - CW |
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Try paracord before you dismiss the idea - it's cheap and well proven:
How to paracord wrap your FF tube: 1) Obtain paracord of your chosen color. I recommend "real" 550 parachute cord, with white strands inside a colored outer sheath, rather than the braided stuff you get at WalMart. 2) Cut the paracord to length. For a plain-vanilla FF tube, you will need about 4 feet of paracord for every inch of tube you want to cover. Once cut, heat-seal the ends to prevent fraying. 3) Cut another length of paracord to approximately 18" long, fold in half, and then tie a knot with the loose ends to create a loop about 9" long. 4) Soak the longer length of paracord (from step 2) in water until its saturated, then shake off the excess water. 5) Starting with one cut end of the wet paracord near the middle of the FF tube, lay the paracord lengthwise along the tube towards the end you want to start wrapping. Now start wrapping the paracord around the tube, keeping things as tight as you can and working your way towards the opposite end. The wrapping will cover the first several inches you had initially layed lengthwise, thus preventing it from unravelling. 6) When you get within about 5" of the end, lay the 9" long loop of paracord lengthwise on the FF tube (knot towards the center of the FF tube), then continue wrapping the paracord so as to cover this loop. This loop needs to protrude about 2" at each end. 7) When you get to the end of the FF tube, insert the loose end of paracord through the protruding loop, and then pull on the opposite end of the loop so that the loose end of paracord is pulled under the wrapping. 8) Cut off any remaining loose ends of paracord, and heat seal. Once the paracord dries, it will tighten down nicely and prevent the wrapping from unravelling. The paracord wrapping on the rifles shown below was done several years ago, and has withstood hard 3-gun use with impunity. It still looks as good as it did the day I put it on. Of all the FF tubes I have ever handled, my paracord wrapping is by far the coolest to hold. I encourage you to try it and see what you are missing. 
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I finally completed my handguard wrap, thanks for the advice. I have a rifle length handguard from Yankee Hill, their "customizable" model, meaning a smooth round vented FF tube that you can add rails when and where you want them. It installed easily and is rock solid. For now, I'll leave it unadorned except for the wrap.
I only covered the rear half of the handguard, since that's where my hand usually contacts the tube and who knows I may want to mount something on the front end someday. Also, the front end of the wrap is at a convenient spot to grab and pull back for tension, when you need it. I didn't use paracord, because at 1/8", its too thick, IMO. Instead I used Perlon cord, the kind mountain climbers use, except I picked the very smallest 2mm size. It took some extensive searching to find a source. I visited my local REI and Marmot Mountain retail stores, but nothing that small. Then I found OnRope1.com, and ordered 100 feet of PMI brand 2mm accessory cord at 10 cents per foot. I picked the stiff black variety, which is perfect for my black rifle. It took about 50 ft to wrap half of my handguard, but OnRope has a $10 order minimum. I used Blagga's method of securing the ends of the cord. I soaked the cord in hot water beforehand. Not sure that helped anything because Perlon is designed to resist water absorption. In any event, it came out perfect, nice and tight. The OD of the tube is increased from 2" to 2.140", not very much. The feel is fairly hard with lots of friction, just what I wanted. Highly recommended for those who want a smooth aluminum FF tube, but don't like the feel of bare aluminum and want to keep it as slim as possible. - CW 
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