TXscout
April 25, 2009, 23:49
I got a wild hair, and made a forearm spanner wrench out of a 1"x5" steel pipe nipple for $3.00.
First, I cut the threads off of one end of the pipe nipple.
Then I sanded/tapered the threads down on the other end, so the OD would fit inside the recess of the forearm.
I did this by putting painter's tape around a 3/4" socket (built it up so it would fit very snugly inside the ID of the pipe nipple), and attached the socket to my drill. I grabbed several different grits of sandpaper, from 50-200grit, a pair of gloves, and went to town. I simply wrapped the sandpaper around the pipe, held constant pressure, and let the drill do most of the work for removing material from the threads, and creating a slight taper.
Disclaimer: While using a WECSOG, "power driven, socket-hand-lathe/grinder", gloves are a must because it generates a good bit of heat (understatement--read: extreme ;)) If it starts getting too hot to work with, dunk it in some water.
Then I cut out the basic wrench template with a Dremel cut off wheel, based on the measurements of the forearm spanner nut.
After that, I filed and squared the edges with a hand file--it fits perfectly. I put it back on the "socket-lathe" and cleaned it up a bit with some 220 grit, and radiused all the sharp edges.
Finally, I drilled a hole all the way through both sides of the pipe so you could use a screwdriver as a t-handle, for a more positive grip.
Saved me about $30 bucks, and now I can break the gun all the way down for cleaning/maintenance. I could never get the nut tight enough using needle-nose pliers. This will work for Mossbergs too, I believe.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn35/tyler_txn/DSC_0081Large.jpg
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn35/tyler_txn/DSC_0085.jpg
First, I cut the threads off of one end of the pipe nipple.
Then I sanded/tapered the threads down on the other end, so the OD would fit inside the recess of the forearm.
I did this by putting painter's tape around a 3/4" socket (built it up so it would fit very snugly inside the ID of the pipe nipple), and attached the socket to my drill. I grabbed several different grits of sandpaper, from 50-200grit, a pair of gloves, and went to town. I simply wrapped the sandpaper around the pipe, held constant pressure, and let the drill do most of the work for removing material from the threads, and creating a slight taper.
Disclaimer: While using a WECSOG, "power driven, socket-hand-lathe/grinder", gloves are a must because it generates a good bit of heat (understatement--read: extreme ;)) If it starts getting too hot to work with, dunk it in some water.
Then I cut out the basic wrench template with a Dremel cut off wheel, based on the measurements of the forearm spanner nut.
After that, I filed and squared the edges with a hand file--it fits perfectly. I put it back on the "socket-lathe" and cleaned it up a bit with some 220 grit, and radiused all the sharp edges.
Finally, I drilled a hole all the way through both sides of the pipe so you could use a screwdriver as a t-handle, for a more positive grip.
Saved me about $30 bucks, and now I can break the gun all the way down for cleaning/maintenance. I could never get the nut tight enough using needle-nose pliers. This will work for Mossbergs too, I believe.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn35/tyler_txn/DSC_0081Large.jpg
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn35/tyler_txn/DSC_0085.jpg