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Posted: 7/14/2013 11:57:44 AM EDT
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Ok so just a note about Aero precision upper receivers and more importantly their customer service.
From the start, My Significant other decides she wants a custom ar. Not a problem! Nothing special just done how she wants. So we ordered a Aero precision stripped lower, a 16' heavy barrel, bcg and a lower parts kit. She wants it Magpul od green so we order the Magpul CTR and the Stark grip. Ordered the Aero precision stripped upper and the dura coat in magpul od green(which matched perfectly btw) and a Diamondhead 15" free float hang guard. I masked off the internals, greased(using white lithium grease) and taped the threads and sprayed the dura coat. Left it set for several days until I had time off. Here is where things went to hell! I unmasked and cleaned the threads of any grease, did a hand tight assembly and got the gas block aligned and tightened down, removed the barrel and re-greased the threads and torqued it to 35lbs, loosened and re-torqued to 40lb, I tried to loosen a third time and the upper came apart. Twisted apart! I've used this process a dozen plus times before and always been fine. I used a vice block I've used on every other AR I've built. I ended up having to cut the barrel nut to remove the threads from the barrel. Diamond head uses a proprietary barrel nut Now I can understand all the manufacturers can have issues with quality especially in the last few months when everyone is pushing parts out as fast as possible. I've used Aero uppers in the past and have been fine with them. So my G/F calls Aero and sends them pics of the parts and vice block used. This is what she was told when calling them "that's impossible OUR products do not do that. It Is impossible for an Aero product to fail like that" and hangs up on my GF! I can understand it could have been a one off with the upper, not that big of a deal. The attitude and response from Aero is Crap! You simply don't treat people like that even if your not going to do anything about the parts,,,,customer service is huge and Aero Precision's Customer service is TOTAL CRAP! I WILL NOT BE USING AERO EVER AND WILL LET EVERYONE POSSIBLE KNOW ABOUT THEIR ABSOLUTE CRAP CUSTOMER SERVICE! |
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Dang!
I just picked up a distributorship with them, and ordered a bunch of their uppers! I've built up 20 uppers and not had any problems with them yet... but this thread has caught my attention! I've build them up with KAC URX, Geissele SMR, and Centurion CMRs with them, both torqued to 40-60 foot pounds. If you wouldn't mind, please post up pics of the twisted apart upper. It generally takes an almost negligent amount of torque to break a upper (100+ easy) so I'm assuming this was a lemon. I'd like to see the failure points. |
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https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=686933251324087&set=pcb.686933587990720&type=1&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=686932387990840&set=pcb.686933587990720&type=1&theater Pic of the upper and the vice block I used. It snapped at the ejection port down to the pivot lug. |
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https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=686933251324087&set=pcb.686933587990720&type=1&theater https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=686932387990840&set=pcb.686933587990720&type=1&theater Pic of the upper and the vice block I used. It snapped at the ejection port down to the pivot lug. Aight, i've contacted Aero Precision on your behalf and they should get in contact with you. I can't see your pics hosted on FB since your security settings are set correctly for maximum privacy. If Aero doesn't swap you out, i'll work with ya to get you a replacement upper. |
| I should have added this to the original post, When the upper snapped ant twisted to begin with, it was from the ejection port to the pivot lug and along the underside of the rail. I continued to remove the barrel nut off after it initially broke and obviously broke the upper worse before cutting the nut off. |
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Ok I moved them to photobucket, here is the link,
[URL=http://s130.photobucket.com/user/sick69/media/IMG952013061895212640.jpg.html?filters[user]=31177504&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=1]http://s130.photobucket.com/user/sick69/media/IMG952013061895212640.jpg.html?filters[user]=31177504&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=1[/URL] [URL=http://s130.photobucket.com/user/sick69/media/IMG952013061895213910.jpg.html?filters[user]=31177504&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=0]http://s130.photobucket.com/user/sick69/media/IMG952013061895213910.jpg.html?filters[user]=31177504&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=0[/URL] |
I got the pictures. Part of the issue with using that style of action block by itself is it puts too much stress on the upper.
http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=6&f=49&t=355495 That being said, I will contact customer service tomorrow and have them send you out a replacement. 
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I got the pictures. Part of the issue with using that style of action block by itself is it puts too much stress on the upper. http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p275/sick69/IMG952013061895213910.jpg http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=6&f=49&t=355495 That being said, I will contact customer service tomorrow and have them send you out a replacement.
I would tend to agree. |
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I appreciate your efforts and will be grateful if it comes through. However based on the way my G/F was treated on the phone I am reluctant to believe anything will happen.
As far as the vice block, I will look into an addition to it or a different style. I'm always willing to try something that may work better. I'm truly not trying to be insulting or argumentative in the least just being honest about my thoughts on it. As I've stated before, anyone can have a lemon now and then for what ever reason. It would seem the C/S rep she talked to may be a one off aswell.... Guess I will see either way. Frank |
I had a Rock River upper warp during a barrel install using that kind of holding device for the upper. Now I use this:
I clamp it in the vise and it takes all the flex out of the upper during the barreling process. I bought it off amazon for relatively cheap. I have used Aero Precision products for years and never had a problem with any of their products. It sounds like somebody on here is working to get your problem fixed, but in all honesty, it seems more a case of operator headspace instead of a defective item. Uppers and lowers are made of aluminum not steel and should be treated accordingly. I have a pile of bused lowers I have accumulated over the years learning that hard lesson. |
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Get a clamshell upper block that encases the entire upper. They hold much more securely. I use mine frequently. There is the same one I have shown in this Midway thread...  |
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There is absolutely nothing wrong with this "style" of vise block, but most people tend to use them incorrectly. FYI, I just completed this build with both an Aero Upper and Lower and I love them! I had to install a barrel nut for a DD Lite Rail and took this baby to 55 ft-lbs. Sandwich it against a piece of plywood with liberal amounts of painters tape (to prevent scratching the rail) like this: If you need any more help, stop on over on the DIY forum and we'll set you straight!
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Get a clamshell upper block that encases the entire upper. They hold much more securely. I use mine frequently. There is the same one I have shown in this Midway thread... This. Eliminate potential problems first. (Not saying you didnt get a defective part...but these are MUCH better options for vice blocks) |
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Get a clamshell upper block that encases the entire upper. They hold much more securely. I use mine frequently. There is the same one I have shown in this Midway thread... This is a good setup and what I've used over a dozen times with no probs. ETA: good to hear that Aero is going to take care of it. I have used their stuff also and like it very much. |
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I understand and I appreciate you bringing it to my attention. 
I have been using a Geissele reaction rod for my personal builds since I snagged one in January and I've been very happy with it. I will second the Geissele Reaction Rod...great tool. Glad to see it getting worked out. Mark |
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I understand and I appreciate you bringing it to my attention.
I have been using a Geissele reaction rod for my personal builds since I snagged one in January and I've been very happy with it. A little off the OP., but won't that kind of fixture put all the torque and pressure on the index pin and side wall of the index pin slot in the upper to keep the upper from turning when torquing on the barrel nut? Don't get me wrong, I love their triggers but that seems like a lot of stress on such a small area. I also just bought 2 of their flat top uppers and they fit my Rock River and Bushmaster and Stag lowers perfectly, like they were cut right off the lowers themselves,nice and tight. The only problem I had was that they didn't come with the American flag eched into the top of them ( I kind of liked that) but the "t" marks are there. |
| My Aero upper assembled without issue. I used the Brownells vise block with a clamp I made from 6061 that goes on the 1913 rail. I sandwiched all this in my bench vise. The upper has gone through six torque cycles as I pulled a bonehead move and forgot the dust cover. My AP upper is GTG. |
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Neg, the pressure is on the barrel extension not the upper receiver itself. Works wonders.
Mark Quoted:
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I understand and I appreciate you bringing it to my attention.
I have been using a Geissele reaction rod for my personal builds since I snagged one in January and I've been very happy with it. A little off the OP., but won't that kind of fixture put all the torque and pressure on the index pin and side wall of the index pin slot in the upper to keep the upper from turning when torquing on the barrel nut? Don't get me wrong, I love their triggers but that seems like a lot of stress on such a small area. I also just bought 2 of their flat top uppers and they fit my Rock River and Bushmaster and Stag lowers perfectly, like they were cut right off the lowers themselves,nice and tight. The only problem I had was that they didn't come with the American flag eched into the top of them ( I kind of liked that) but the "t" marks are there. |
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your problem isn't the upper, it's the shitty way/use of the action block.
operator error. Heck I wouldn't even use that type anyways. the clamshell is much better; even better is the geissele reaction rod or brownells version of it. Worth it's wait in gold if you happen to put a lot of uppers together. Props to Aero for fixing the OP's mistake. |
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Neg, the pressure is on the barrel extension not the upper receiver itself. Works wonders. Mark Since the barrel nut screws onto the upper receiver, and the barrel extension is compression fit between the receiver and the nut, how can there not be any affect on the receiver. |
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Since the barrel nut screws onto the upper receiver, and the barrel extension is compression fit between the receiver and the nut, how can there not be any affect on the receiver. Quoted:
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Neg, the pressure is on the barrel extension not the upper receiver itself. Works wonders. Mark Since the barrel nut screws onto the upper receiver, and the barrel extension is compression fit between the receiver and the nut, how can there not be any affect on the receiver. It looks like the tool engages the bolt lugs in the extension from the inside and keeps the barrel from turning while the tool is clamped in the vice on the end .But the only thing keeping the upper from turning is the indexing pin in the slot in the upper. Am I missing something? |
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It looks like the tool engages the bolt lugs in the extension from the inside and keeps the barrel from turning while the tool is clamped in the vice on the end .But the only thing keeping the upper from turning is the indexing pin in the slot in the upper. Am I missing something? Quoted:
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Neg, the pressure is on the barrel extension not the upper receiver itself. Works wonders. Mark Since the barrel nut screws onto the upper receiver, and the barrel extension is compression fit between the receiver and the nut, how can there not be any affect on the receiver. It looks like the tool engages the bolt lugs in the extension from the inside and keeps the barrel from turning while the tool is clamped in the vice on the end .But the only thing keeping the upper from turning is the indexing pin in the slot in the upper. Am I missing something? Agreed. If you have a barrel nut that is stuck and you try to remove it, I would guess the index pin would break. This is a real problem for those that have a barrel nut that some idiot Loctited on and the current user doesn't know that. Now the tool is excellent for installing and removing flash hiders. Using it for that would put all the torque on the barrel and nothing on the receiver. |
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UPDATE<<<<
I did receive a replacement upper. Thank you Chad Larson for the Customer Service! Had this level of Customer Service been expressed to begin with things would have been different. I don't mean sending the replacement (that is very appreciated), I mean actually talking to me, investigating the situation and deciding from there even if you would have decided not to replace it. I have to thank you for putting in the effort to figure it out. From the posts I've seen on this thread, I do have some fault in this upper breaking. I do not understand how I've done several others with out issue until now. Maybe luck? Maybe parts? I will be looking into other options before assembling this upper. Anyway, Thanks Again Chad, Frank |
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UPDATE<<<< I did receive a replacement upper. Thank you Chad Larson for the Customer Service! Had this level of Customer Service been expressed to begin with things would have been different. I don't mean sending the replacement (that is very appreciated), I mean actually talking to me, investigating the situation and deciding from there even if you would have decided not to replace it. I have to thank you for putting in the effort to figure it out. From the posts I've seen on this thread, I do have some fault in this upper breaking. I do not understand how I've done several others with out issue until now. Maybe luck? Maybe parts? I will be looking into other options before assembling this upper. Anyway, Thanks Again Chad, Frank You're welcome and I'm glad we could help out!
It looks like if you had something to put on the top rail and put the upper sideways in the vice, you'd be good-to-go with your existing vice block. I think we might put up some tech-tips for assembling uppers and lowers on our vendor forum and on our website as well. That vice block set available on Amazon looks like a good deal too.
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Those two pin upper receiver blocks were never intended to be used for barreling operations, they were only designed for holding the upper in place on a vise while installing small parts like the port door, etc.
Unfortunately, a lot of home gunsmiths see the price of it compared to the price of a clamshell receiver block, and go with the cheaper one. |
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