I am in the process of installing a Hogue Free Float tube on my AR. I had hoped to use an armorer's tool to install but there is no room to get the wrench in place. The instructions that came with it say to use a strap wrench. Has anyone done this and were there any problems, pitfalls. etc. to using the strap wrench? I have been told by a knowledgable person that it isn't possible to generate enough torque to adequately tighten the barrel nut. I am also afraid I will damage the tube. Any hints, comments, suggestions from people who have actually done it would be welcome.
Hogue Free Float Tube Install
- Thread starter Rugerman
- Start date
I wonder about this too. Do you have a link to a business selling a strap wrench? How much? I hear the nut needs to be 80 pounds. Anyone?
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=226782
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=226782
A strap wrench can be picked up at Canadian Tire or Greg's or Princess auto. Stay away from the rubber ones, get a cloth one. The nut does not need to be 80ft lbs, man thats a lot!!!. I don't have my armourers mannual with me right now and the torques are different from the older guns to the new ones. The most difficult part of the whole operation is the removal of the front sight assembly, some of those pins are in there really hard!!!!!
Let me know if you have any problems.
Scott
Let me know if you have any problems.
Scott
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I concur with m39a2. I use a strp wrench myself with excellent results. Not torquing to 80 ft lbs either, that is alot! I'm not sure the aluminum would support that much torque.
If you are concerned, use a small amount of PURPLE loctite. It is removable and designed for small fasteners. It will not vibrate loose, but is easily removable with normal hand tools. I use it on the rear screw of my KAC RAS, and it will remove with a normal short allen wrench without any problem.
It is labelled Loctite for small fasteners, #222.
If you are concerned, use a small amount of PURPLE loctite. It is removable and designed for small fasteners. It will not vibrate loose, but is easily removable with normal hand tools. I use it on the rear screw of my KAC RAS, and it will remove with a normal short allen wrench without any problem.
It is labelled Loctite for small fasteners, #222.
I've installed the Hogue freefloat tube successfully by wrapping a strip of leather around the tube near the receiver and using a pair of waterpump plyers. I know it's crude, but it works. The leather protects the tube and provides a good grip for the plyers. This method also allows you to precisely control the alignment for the gas tube. Good luck with your project. 
I've installed the Hogue freefloat tube successfully by wrapping a strip of leather around the tube near the receiver and using a pair of waterpump plyers. I know it's crude, but it works. The leather protects the tube and provides a good grip for the plyers. This method also allows you to precisely control the alignment for the gas tube. Good luck with your project.
Actually, it's not considered a crude method, at least not by Hogue. They recommend it as an alternate method if you don't want to use a strap wrench. I was also contacted by someone who has built a number of AR's and he says only 35 ft/lbs of torque is required using the strap wrench.
Am going to the shop with the barrel, receiver block, strap wrench, etc. this afternoon so we'll see if I can crush that tube like I do oil filters . . .
Thanks for the advice.
