AR Sponsor
Posted: 9/27/2004 8:10:40 PM EDT
| i need a torque wrench for my need barrel...wheres the best/cheapest one i can buy online? prolly wont use it but once or twice. |
|
the threads are pretty coarse and the torque recommendation is 35 ft lbs. So just follow the directions posted on this site and you will be okay. As long as some moderate force is used, you will have enough torque. 35 ft lbs. isn't that much... A spark plus is around 15 ft lbs. And a lug nut at 85-100 for comparison. |
Nawww... you just have to get it snug.... then tighten until the next gas tube notch lines up. I suppose a torque wrench wouldnt hurt for your first build to understand about how much 25-35 ft-lbs is..... but I own a t-wrench, but have never used one on an AR. If you are really nervous... by all means do it. But I sure dont find it necessary. |
| Harbor Freight has one for $19.00 (click here). I have this one and it works fine. |
| Go to your local auto parts store that gives out loaner tools. Purchase some thing cheap such as a lug nut and tell them you would like to borrow one(usually requires a deposit). As long as you remember to bring back the wrench it'll only cost you the cost of the lug nut, consider it rent. |
good thinking for a 1x or very limited use. Harbor freight ones should serve you well. They're not as accurate as something used over at NASA, but for general purposes, it's "close enough". |
|
a lot less than a lug nut... What you are trying to avoid is the instance of where you a torque wrench to get to 35 ft lbs and you are nearly a whole hole off from getting it alighned and you end up 85 ft lbs plus to get it there. Like I said, the threads are course and once it starts to tighten up, the forces increases very fast in relation to nut movement. I am not sure how strong you are, but 35 ft lbs is achievable with arm strength alone and "not" applying body weight or bracing yourself against something with more force. |
So... with this method..... what do you do if the first hole isnt enough torque.... but the next one is going to take over the 80LBS? For instance... on several occasions I have seen when the first hole lines up with only 20lbs.... but to get to the next one, I have to get REALLY close if not over 80lbs.... In those cases, I just work it back on forth 5 or 6 times, to smooth out the threads just a bit, and this lets me line it up without overtorquing.... but it is still really tight in this stiuation. I just do it by feel now.... but since you are actually using the wrench, what do you do to remedy the situation? |
If its a new receiver I torque it to 40-45lbs three times loosening it between each time and then on the final torque if 35lbs isn't enough to align it and it will need more than 80lbs to align the next slot. You'll need either another reciever or a new barrel nut. |
You have them, but do you use them for AR barrel installations? |
I have them.... but I dont use them. Once you have torqued a few nuts you get the feel, and you understand how hard it is to screw up an AR barrel. One gas tube slot alignment will be obviously too loose, the next will be within range..... so whats the point? |
And... YES, I do use them.... With teh AR-15 it really isn't all that critical but when you do other projects it is more critical... I follow the following manual when I build... quarterbore.com/library/pdf_files/tm9-1005-319-23.pdf |
AR Sponsor