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Posted: 6/20/2010 11:22:23 AM EDT
| I am going to replace the handguards on my dpms 308 sportical with a carbon fiber FF tube. I was wondering which type of vise block to use? The blocks that you set the upper into and pin in place seem like they would be the easiest. However it seems to me like one could possibly bend the lugs that the pins go through on the upper if you put too much torque on the barrel nut. Maybe I'm worrying too much but I would like some wisdom from you guys with much more experience than I have. Thanks in advance. |
| I mulled it over for a few days and read every post about it I could. I ended up buying the model 1 kit with the clamshell and the insert. It worked perfectly to remove an overtorqued barrel nut that didn't have any grease on it. Came off in a snap. I don't know how well the others would have worked but this one did it's job for sure. |
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I've used my Panther Claw (the kind with the pins) to install and remove a few barrels now. I removed one awhile ago that required so much force to remove I was sure the receiver would be toast when I was done. The receiver actually came through without any damage at all.
The only downside I've noticed is that some receivers seem to be a lot harder to pin into the block than others. I don't really know why that is. |
| I used the clamshell type from Brownells. I haven't tried the other but I feel that the receiver is better supported by the clamshell type. One thing to note is that you will have to make a minor modification to the clamshell type receiver block if you install a LaRue handguard. Easily done with a dremel though. |
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Clamshell is nice for milspec uppers, but one of these:
http://www.spikestactical.com/z/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=78_55&products_id=180 ...does it all, forged or billet. The one piece can slid onto the rail, and the other pins to the bottom allowing a sturdy clamp in a vice, but both pieces can also be used individually. After years using the clamshell, I thought that this was a great improvement. |
Good catch 458, I stand corrected as I forgot the 308 upper receiver is longer than the 5.56 with different pin placement.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=17094/Product/AR_15_AR_STYLE__308_UPPER_RECEIVER_BLOCK I am not sure if there is a clam shell type holder for the 308... Probably a better answer over in the 308 section. |
| I have the clamshell and it works great but it wont fit billet or low pro uppers. I read here last year where someone went to an armorers class and the instructor chucked the upper in a padded vice. So when I was building on a DPMS lo pro upper I routed a channel in a piece of 2x3 pine to fit the picatinny rail and a 1x3 pine with holes drilled for the lugs and chucked it in the vice. It worked great held tight left no marks on the upper. |
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