** Your NEA102 build **
- Thread starter vancouverbc
- Start date
You need one that physically attaches to the receiver so that you don't damage it. I used a wheeler vise block, it worked perfectly. Pin holes lined up and everything.
I am still confused, there seem to be a few different blocks and methods of holding the upper and lowers. Not sure which ones I would need. If you have links to the particular ones it would be appreciated. I has the dumb today I guess.
This ^^^
You want to engage the barrel extension so when you tighten the barrel nut you don't put stress on the upper. Many people get away with using the wrong tool but some aren't so lucky.
There are vise blocks for uppers, and that is what I have. Works great.
http://www.bullseyelondon.com/wheeler-engineering-delta-series-upper-receiver-action-block-picatinny-rail-vise-block-ar-15-ar-10-lr-308-156888.html
I agree, if you don't have anything go for the reaction rod right off the bat, it makes more sense.
I'm not, its very sturdy. I have disassembled and reassembled 2 rifles with it without any hint of a problem. Don't knock it till you've tried it
I do agree like I said above though, that a reaction rod makes more sense.
The vise may be very strong.
But. Apply torque that is transferred to the threads on the upper receiver. Think about how this force is transferred through the upper receiver to the vise. The upper receiver is not being supported where force is being applied.
But. Apply torque that is transferred to the threads on the upper receiver. Think about how this force is transferred through the upper receiver to the vise. The upper receiver is not being supported where force is being applied.
I'm not talking about a vise... Yes the torque, somewhere between 30 and 80ftlbs is not going to hurt the upper if it is placed correctly in the vise block. The upper receiver is attached to the vise block very securely, and there is not much distance between the attachment points and the center of the barrel (although I know a reaction rod would be in the center of the barrel and thus should theoretically be better). If you haven't used one before which it sounds like you have not, why critisize it? It makes no sense. They have been being used for decades without issues (if people are using it properly).
Anyways this is a pointless argument.
Let us know how the swap goes ljones!
I don't have a swap planned just yet. Want to change the butt stock. Got a GL-CORE in FDE and cheek riser for it in FDE as well. Swap the grip to a Magpul MOE+ , and install a Trigger tech 5.5 duty trigger in it and add an optic and bipod mount and shoot it as is for a while before making any other changes. But while I have the time and money secure what I need to maintain and work on it. I don't know enough about the platform to mess with it right now, but as I learn more and more people swap things on theirs and see what works I can consider making changes.
Not really pointless, one way is correct and the other way has proven to have potential to damage a upper.
I would say most but probably not all instances of that happening were user error. If you want to torque your barrel nut without a torque wrench and/or at very high torque, with this type of setup you would be asking for damage to occur. I torque my barrel nuts at 35ftlbs because I see no reason to go higher, and it minimizes the risk of damaging the upper. I have not once been worried about damaging anything when using this setup, it holds everything very securely and the vise block takes almost all of the stress. Really in the end it just comes down to opinions. I know several gunsmiths that use vise blocks and swear by them, and I would take their opinion over anyone else's.
I agree, if you don't have anything go for the reaction rod right off the bat, it makes more sense.
I'm not, its very sturdy. I have disassembled and reassembled 2 rifles with it without any hint of a problem. Don't knock it till you've tried it
He's a gunsmith, he knows what he's doing. Check around, a few stories of guys breaking uppers using those style. I'd much rather use barrel blocks over that option.
