Tool Purchase Suggestions

Hey all,

I'm getting ready to start purchasing everything else i need for my 110 build.

I'm looking at buying a Savage barrel nut wrench (which is obviously very needed).

However, the action wrench/barrel vise is still up in the air as to which i really need.

I could use an action wrench to secure the action while taking the barrel nut off.

However, can i use a barrel vise to secure the barrel, and take the barrel nut off that way?

With that being said,

would this:
http://www.amazon.com/Wheeler-672286...ds=barrel+vise

work with a bench vise to secure the barrel?

Clamping the barrel is one way of doing it. SparkyLB made his own barrel vise out of some oak, steel, and his sturdy bench.

Breaking the nut off the first time is usually the hardest. Someone else might chime in to say whether or not vise jaws would work. I suspect it will hinge on what kind of vise you have and possibly how tapered the barrel is. I use solid aluminum jaws when doing AR barrel changes, and they tend to slip at the upper torque ranges. On a recent build I ended up tightening my Harbor Freight vise so hard that it broke.

For Savage barrel changes I use an action wrench. It's a bit more cumbersome, but I've not had any problems.

The bluing salts or whatever does a number to bind the nut. spray for pb blaster type stuff and let it sit for a day or 2.

I just use an action wrench and nut wrench and a heavy hammer on the nut wrench. If it is a smooth nut, I used a large pipe wrench and just sacrifice the smooth nut, then replace with a slotted nut.

When using the action wrench, be sure to tighten the screws down snug and keep the lug in the slot for it. Break it loose, then loosen the bolts in the action wrench so you aren't squeezing the action more than necessary while spinning out the barrel. Some are tougher than others, especially newer ones with the salts Rex was talking about, but they all come off.

Sometimes the barrel will not spin out freely, so I turn the nut till it bottoms out on the barrel then continue turning the nut till the barrel breaks free from the threads, too. Then it can become a challenge to remove the nut from the barrel... that's when I clean up the barrel threads with wire brush and Kroil and let it sit a day or 2. Sometimes I wrap a piece of padded rubber shelf liner around the barrel, hold tight in one hand while I smack the nut wrench with a heavy hammer to get it moving.

Personally I like the below barrel vise and have had no issues removing the barrel nut. Just torque all four nuts evenly, then pop the wrench once or twice, and the nut breaks loose. I have never damaged a barrel.

http://www.sinclairintl.com/gun-part...prod58959.aspx

There is others out there, but the ones with 4 bolts I feel grip the barrel better.

JMO, Dennis

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dennis

Personally I like the below barrel vise and have had no issues removing the barrel nut. Just torque all four nuts evenly, then pop the wrench once or twice, and the nut breaks loose. I have never damaged a barrel.

http://www.sinclairintl.com/gun-part...prod58959.aspx

There is others out there, but the ones with 4 bolts I feel grip the barrel better.

JMO, Dennis

---

You use this with the barrel nut wrench and bust the nut loose?

I bought a Viper barrel vice. I can't wait to try it out!

That Viper Vice looks like a good way to go.

That and this new style nut wrench: http://myaccuratebarrel.com/NEW-DESI...tion_p_34.html

Dennis, why didn't you suggest the new-fangled nut wrench?

I have the action wrench and barrel nut wrench that Jim at NSS currently sells. Don't know the brands or anything, and I don't remember the cost, but they work great. Highly recommended.