Unitize a m14 gas system

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Rdrash

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So I have a question, why not mig? I have 2 m305s and most everyone I know has 2 also so I was thinking of getting them all together and doing it in one day. Ive got a Millar 185 mig welder but no access to a tig. So why just tig, doesnt migs produce very little heat to?
Trevor
 
The Tig isn't just a Tig..... It's a "micro" Tig.

The mig will pretzel up the gas system even with a good jig.

A standard Tig set-up will also pretzel up a gas system on a jig.

I have 3 useless gas systems in the parts bin, due to a careless welder, with a Tig. I've tried doing my own with a mig...... And it's not useable either.

Casey at tac-ord (site sponsor) is hands down the best gas system unitizer in Canada.... Bar none! Worth every single penny IMHO.

If you doubt what I say, check out my profile page, check out my website, then respond.....
 
Well he!!. That's not what I wanted to hear at all, but it was worth a try. Thank you for setting me straight. It makes sence once you explain it.
Trevor
 
notsorichguy said:
The Tig isn't just a Tig..... It's a "micro" Tig.

The mig will pretzel up the gas system even with a good jig.

A standard Tig set-up will also pretzel up a gas system on a jig.

I have 3 useless gas systems in the parts bin, due to a careless welder, with a Tig. I've tried doing my own with a mig...... And it's not useable either.

Casey at tac-ord (site sponsor) is hands down the best gas system unitizer in Canada.... Bar none! Worth every single penny IMHO.

If you doubt what I say, check out my profile page, check out my website, then respond.....
Click to expand...

Could you please post pictures of those unserviceable gas system? I'm curious to know what is wrong exactly.
 
Beater said:
why not silver solder
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stevebc said:
Good question. Or even, JB weld.
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I personally have never used Silver Solder. The only reason I can think of that it wouldn't be good is the gas system gets quite warm.... Too hot to touch after a few larger strings in warm weather! Silver Solder iirc has a fairly low melting temp.

JB weld (for all intents and purposes) is an epoxy..... But it really isn't..... It's more of a glue IMHO.

Tig welding is the "Marine Corps" way of unitizing the gas system on a M-14.

The "US Army" way is to anneal the gas spindle and front band. Re-install the spindle into the gas cylinder, drill through the front band and into the gas cylinder and into the spindle. Thread the hole. epoxy in place and secure it with the screws.

The epoxy the US Army used is something I have never found the true identity of.... It pretty safe to assume that it isn't lock-tite, as even Red LT will soften when heated.... It must have been a glue that can take a fair bit of heat. The only thing on the market up here that I would consider using would probably be Devcon Titanium Putty. That stuff is spendy! For example, I use Devcon "Plastic Steel" for bedding. I usually buy it in 1 pound packages. It runs $80 per pound (or $120 at acklands). I priced out some Titanium Putty from my normal supplier..... $389 per pound..... $560 at Acklands.....

I just never went down that road as I believe that welding the gas system is "better".....
 
I'm new to the M14, and not flush with cash, and concerned about buggering up the welds as mentioned above, hence the slightly ridiculous suggestion about JB weld.

Notsorich, forgive me, but it's not "obvious" to me what is buggered about those welds. They aren't as pretty as Casey's, but they seem to be holding- is there a problem I'm just not seeing because I don't know what to look for?
 
stevebc said:
I'm new to the M14, and not flush with cash, and concerned about buggering up the welds as mentioned above, hence the slightly ridiculous suggestion about JB weld.

Notsorich, forgive me, but it's not "obvious" to me what is buggered about those welds. They aren't as pretty as Casey's, but they seem to be holding- is there a problem I'm just not seeing because I don't know what to look for?
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It's the amount of material and burn time in the weld.

I guess it really isn't obvious..... lol

The gas system will twist, ever so slightly when heated, even on a jig. This twist will cause the gas system to bind on the barrel. If it's "over twisted" the 2 rings won't line up on centre with the barrel.

There are some that are twisted, ever so slightly, that you can beat on. But the gas cylinder won't be parallel to the bore. This IMHO pretty much negates any accuracy or consistency advantages gained from unitizing the gas system.....

It's when the twist is so bad, that it won't slide in the barrel, the gas system is scrap!

If you still have questions, I'll try if I can come up with a better explanation when I'm not on the mobile app!
 
Dake21 said:
You make me wonder if mine was done right. The welder used a tig without a rod. My rifle shoots and functions good at least.
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No filler rod needed, in fact, I believe it's a much cleaner job with-out the filler! Near as I can tell that's how Casey does it.

The welds don't actually carry and "load" it just keeps things from moving around under recoil from shot to shot.
 
That wasn't me, I just had it done recently, and your are right, we will see how long it is gonna last.
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notsorichguy said:
I recall a thread a year or two back where a guy said he was going to try it..... Was that you?

I'm pretty confident that JB or any epoxy would stick the 2 pieces together. The only real question would be for how long?
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Not sure if it was the same thread, but I remember one. In the end the heat broke the weld but the guys said he run his gun hot, so I suppose it means he doesn't allow cool down between groups.
 
Mark, I'm also interested to see how long your JB weld lasts. Did you do anything special in terms of prep work before you applied the JB? I'm wondering whether it would be helpful to rough up the surfaces before applying. Your pics didn't work, unfortunately.

So JB weld works... but may not be a lasting solution. On the other hand, if it lets go, it could either be repaired again (which could get tiresome), or just removed slowly and carefully so that no sign is left. I have to admit, it's tempting.
 
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