Make your own free float?

[Paper Boy]

I was wondering if anyone had milled their own free float tube for their AR? I was debating giving it a shot on the drill press to make a super basic aluminum one. I just dont have the tooling to thread it.

That or maybe make a carbon fiber or fiberglass one for a light weight build.

[Lostsheep]

I think you need an engine lathe but let us know how it turns out (no pun intended).

[Paper Boy]

I think you need an engine lathe but let us know how it turns out (no pun intended).

Well I was thinking of using aluminum tube not bar stock since I am not worried about rails, so I think I could do it without the lathe....

[Lostsheep]

Well I was thinking of using aluminum tube not bar stock since I am not worried about rails, so I think I could do it without the lathe....

um,... I was talking about using tube also. The engine lathe is the only cost effective way I can think of to cut a thread that big. I don't know how much a 2" or larger tap costs, but I suspect it's more than the cost of a free float tube. Anytime I cut threads that big, I use the lathe or the NC with a thread cutter.

[Paper Boy]

um,... I was talking about using tube also. The engine lathe is the only cost effective way I can think of to cut a thread that big. .

yaaaaa I had a brain fart was not thinking straight your right that would be the best way to do the threading. I thought you meant use the lathe to hollow out bar stock and cut a design into the tube for some grip so it was not smooth metal.... its been a long day

My idea after sifting through parts in the garage is to forget the threading and get a free float barrel nut and an aluminum tube that fits snug over it. Then I could drill and tap three small holes into the free float nut near the end of it and instead of threading the free float tube on I could have it come off by removing the three set screws.

Figure I could put the screws in where the red dots are and the aluminum tube can go back as far as I want.

[Lostsheep]

I like it.

You will need to be careful or the set screws will damage the threads.

[Paper Boy]

I like it.

You will need to be careful or the set screws will damage the threads.

Ya I figure just be really careful and it may just work... Now to see if I can scare up some scrap aluminum tube and then get the rest of the parts for the build together. Will update with pics when ever I manage to get it done.

[motorwerks]

Yeah I would use a locking nut instead of set screws.

[Mud]

If you were up North, I would do the threading for you. Maybe a Calgunner down South will have a Lathe and some time to cut the threads for you. Good Luck.
Where did you find the Barrel nut and how much?

[Paper Boy]

If you were up North, I would do the threading for you. Maybe a Calgunner down South will have a Lathe and some time to cut the threads for you. Good Luck.
Where did you find the Barrel nut and how much?

http://www.atigunstocks.com/p-253-ar-15-free-float-barrel-nut.aspx

15 bucks. Midway has some and yankee hill makes them to.

[Paper Boy]

Yeah I would use a locking nut instead of set screws.

Ya I will probably end up standing at the hardware store trying to figure out exactly what to use, I was trying to just use whats in the garage already.

[CRTguns]

I've made several, carnon and aluminum... the carbon tubes can be purchased economically by themselves, you'll need to fab up a barrel nut- or if you can make your own carbon tube, you can use the nut section from say, a yankee kill, or hogue FF tube.

For the price of the hogue aluminum tube though- approx $60- save your time and headaches and buy the dern thing.

[Paper Boy]

For the price of the hogue aluminum tube though- approx $60- save your time and headaches and buy the dern thing.

Ya but there is no fun in that I always need a project to unwind with at the end of the day after work. I dont do well just sitting down and this is a cheaper one than most

[que45]

All you need is to find a local machine shop to thread your 2" tube to match the barrel nut