Tighten barrel nut with no vise?

[TNMTBik3r]

Shot one of my ARs yesterday, sitting here cleaning it today and noticed that my handguard had some play in it. After looking closer, realized that the entire barrel nut was rotating slightly and it feels like the barrel may even have some play (may just be my imagination, feels like it wiggles but no visible movement).

 

This is a factory JSE upper that I have not noticed any issues with.

 

Unfortunately I don't have a vise. And neither does my neighbor. I bought a Wheeler Armorers kit last week so have the upper clamp block, proper wrench, and torque wrench. Just don't have a vise to mount this in and tighten it properly.

 

Would it be possible to tighten to spec without a vise? I don't think it would be but wanted to check with people who have built an upper before ( I have only built lowers). Best solution would be to just go buy a vise, but I don't really have a spot to mount it on my bench. Cannot wait to move and have more room to work on stuff.

Edited September 21, 2014 by jonathon1289

[mikegideon]

How did the barrel nut move with the gas tube in place? The gas tube runs through most barrel nuts.

[SingleStack]

If you have a hardware store close by they might let you use one (A vise) in their back room. I built a whole upper in the back room of a ACE hardware.

[TNMTBik3r]

The gas tube does run through so not moving much but is noticeable. Had this upper a few months now and there has not been any movement before. I noticed it as soon as I grabbed the rifle out of the safe today.

May pull the gas block/tube and try to tighten without a vice but don't have much confidence that will work to torque to spec.

[Rightwinger]

Someone you know has a vice.  Find them and bring dinner.

[Smith]

I've done it with by holding it between my knees as a vise using towels as pads and by standing on it and tightening it. Both of which I do not recommend unless you just have to have it done now. ;) Find a vice and do it right. 

[Garufa]

Before I bought a vise I just used c-clamps and clamped the upper receiver block down on the workbench.  That worked fine.

[TNMTBik3r]

Hmm, I do have some c-clamps. Should have considered that earlier.

If I can get the gas block off I may try using those clamps. My gas block is held on with hex screws and I just went through 30 wrenches and none fit. Need to find my other pouch of Allen wrenches and try them.

I'm going to wait a couple days and ask another neighbor when he gets home if he has a vice. If not will try the c-clamps.

Edited September 21, 2014 by jonathon1289

[Dolomite_supafly]

Not sure if you ever get to Knoxville but if you do I will fix it for you.

[TNMTBik3r]

Thanks Dolomite, but I do not get over that way. I will get this tightened down even if it means buying a vise, but I plan to try and use my c-clamps once I find the right allen wrench for the gas block.

Edited September 21, 2014 by jonathon1289

[gregintenn]

Know any equipment mechanics? A vice mounted to the back bumper is standard equipment on their trucks. Catch one parked and go to work (with permission, of course).

Edited September 22, 2014 by gregintenn

[dcloudy777]

I used a vise block and a 1996 Ford Thunderbird late one night before a range session I really needed that rifle for.  Worked like a charm.   :rock:

[cj0e]

I used a vise block and a 1996 Ford Thunderbird late one night before a range session I really needed that rifle for.  Worked like a charm.   :rock:

 

This needs a photograph. Caption: "There. I fixed it."

[tnguy]

I have a vice but I didn't have to tighten it down to get the barrel nut torqued properly (I have bolt holes in my bench for when needed but that's not often so I keep it out of the way and I was doing my gunsmithing in the living room).

[TNMTBik3r]

I found an Allen wrench and got the gas block off. The handguard and barrel but spun right off...now I cannot get the handguard separated so I can reinstall the nut and torque it....

Good news is building an upper now looks very simple if I just had a vise. :)

[mikegideon]

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-inch-swivel-vise-with-anvil-67039.html

[56FordGuy]

If you're willing to drive to Gallatin I've got a bunch of vises in my shop, and a few torque wrenches. :) Edited September 24, 2014 by 56FordGuy

[TNMTBik3r]

I was looking at Amazon and Harbor Freight for a vise. Not sure what I will go with yet. I have had several instances over the past couple of years where I could have used a vise but was able to get by without it. Should have bought one sooner.

 

Thanks for the offer FordGuy but this isn't critical so I will wait til I buy and mount a vise. I have another AR to shoot until then.

[KKing]

I was looking at Amazon and Harbor Freight for a vise. Not sure what I will go with yet. I have had several instances over the past couple of years where I could have used a vise but was able to get by without it. Should have bought one sooner.

Thanks for the offer FordGuy but this isn't critical so I will wait til I buy and mount a vise. I have another AR to shoot until then.

Dude, you shoulda text me. I just now saw this thread. You can come over to my dads business any day and use a vice, it's just off the square here. I don't have my table built at our new house or I'd say come on out here. Let me know Edited September 25, 2014 by KKing

[TNMTBik3r]

Dude, you shoulda text me. I just now saw this thread. You can come over to my dads business any day and use a vice, it's just off the square here. I don't have my table built at our new house or I'd say come on out here. Let me know

Thanks but this isn't that big of a deal so I wasn't wanting to bother anyone, was just looking for ideas.
Like I said I've had other uses for a vise just haven't bought one so now is a good time to buy.

[56FordGuy]

Do not buy a new vise unless you just want to donate money to China. 

 

The vast majority of modern vises are cast iron, which does not hold up well to the pressures and forces exerted on a vise; not to mention almost all of them are imported. Look used, as most older vises are made of cast steel which is a completely different animal and performs exceptionally well. Not to mention, you can get a much nicer USA built vise used for less than what a modern import equivalent would cost. Reed, Yost, Holland, Columbian and old Wilton are some great names to look for. Modern Wilton vises are cheap import garbage until you get into the $2-300 price range, but you can pick up a similarly sized Reed or Columbian for $100 or less most of the time. 

[tnguy]

I was looking at Amazon and Harbor Freight for a vise. Not sure what I will go with yet. I have had several instances over the past couple of years where I could have used a vise but was able to get by without it. Should have bought one sooner.

 

Thanks for the offer FordGuy but this isn't critical so I will wait til I buy and mount a vise. I have another AR to shoot until then.

 

I think I got mine from Big Lots. It's just a cheap-n-nasty but it does the job.

[wileecoyote]

If you buy a vice, make sure the jaws open wide enough to hold the upper receiver block jig with room to spare. I purchased 2 different ones from Harbor Freight that looked big enough but were just a tad too small. Third one I got off Craigslist and it was massive, worked great. I also bought a short hitch bar and mounting plate from Harbor Freight so I can mount the huge vice on my truck hitch when needed.

[gregintenn]

I just bought an old Wilton 5" bench vice on ebay for $80 with free shipping. Much higher quality than most anything available new today.

[gregintenn]

....I kept waiting for 56FordGuy to post one for sale in the classifieds here, but I finally ran out of patience. :D