Totally Dejected Right Now....

[goodlookin1]

So I attempted to do something I thought was well within my means and skill. I tried to pin and weld my muzzle brake on a 14.5" barrel. Easy, right?

Not when you're an IDIOT. So I go through the steps and do it perfectly.....timed the brake, drilled a little into the barrel, put on the gas block (lo pro clamp style), put on the crush washer, spin the brake on and time it up with where I drilled the barrel, pounded in the blind pin, ground down a small divot where it was to be welded, welded the pin, ground down the excess weld and voila! A near perfect pin and weld job......or so I thought

To my horror, I proceeded to put on my new SAR rail and oops, silly me.....I forgot to put on the barrel nut before pinning and welding. Kicking myself for wasting a few hours already, I proceeded to drill out the pin. After all, this is the 2ND EFFING TIME i've had to do this now (I forgot the gas block in my excitement earlier this week, but I hadn't welded it yet). Last time, I simply drilled out the blind pin and it was easy.

But not this time.

Maybe it's the pin material, but it looked EXACTLY the same as the pin that came with the comp. I got it at ACE Hardware. My brand new titanium drill set CANNOT drill it out. I've burned up the tip on 3 bits now! I am at al loss as to what to do.

Is there a special bit for drilling through hard metal? Do I need to jump up to Cobalt or Carbide bits?

I'm beginning to think that God is telling me I shouldnt be messing with this stuff.....I feel like such a loser: I cant even drill out a stupid blind pin!!!

Any insight as to what I should do would be MUCH appreciated.

Thanks.

[Cali-V]

When you welded the pin you also harden it, and the surrounding area...
Research annealing...

Or if you have a solid drill press and vice, you can chuck up a properly sized end mill... maybe....

[SJgunguy24]

Don't drill it, grind it down until you see the round outline of the pin. Then you try to unscrew it. Sometimes they pop, sometimes you need to go a bit deeper but that's the way to do it and minimize the damage.
If you didn't use an endmill it may just pop any how. Round bottom hole with square end pins are usually easy to pop.

[goodlookin1]

Don't drill it, grind it down until you see the round outline of the pin. Then you try to unscrew it. Sometimes they pop, sometimes you need to go a bit deeper but that's the way to do it and minimize the damage.
If you didn't use an endmill it may just pop any how. Round bottom hole with square end pins are usually easy to pop.

Thanks.....I almost have it. I just busted my upper receiver doing it though

But I hit a point where it feels like I am going to strip the threads. I got it to spin all the way around one full revolution, but it hit a snag point again.

The pin did pop out about 1/16".....am I in danger of stripping the threads on the barrel by doing this??

Thanks for the tip!

[globalarms1]

When are people gonna learn these are acquired skills you don't just go hacking on a gun overnight. Please save yourself head ache (and money) and take it to a gunsmith, better yet make friends with obe

[globalarms1]

...one and tip him regularly bet he won't mind showing you how he does some of the stuff.

[SJgunguy24]

Thanks.....I almost have it. I just busted my upper receiver doing it though

But I hit a point where it feels like I am going to strip the threads. I got it to spin all the way around one full revolution, but it hit a snag point again.

The pin did pop out about 1/16".....am I in danger of stripping the threads on the barrel by doing this??

Thanks for the tip!

Yes you can strip the threads, that's why you need to get the pin out. Also, you use the receiver block for assembly and fitting parts, you use barrel blocks when you torque things down. Keep grinding until that pin comes out. You might need to chase the threads with a die to get the new muzzledevice to fit.

[Excitable Boy]

I'm a great fan of "Do It Yourself", but this thread screams, "Find a Gunsmith!".

[freonr22]

I'm a great fan of "Do It Yourself", but this thread screams, "Find a Gunsmith!".

It's actually easy

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_4/391053_.html

[Gunsmith Dan]

Yep I agree ..... you hardened the pin welding it to hot. You also said you got the pin from ACE ... was it a steel or stainless steel pin????? Stainless will not really harden with heat .... but will work harden (like trying to drill it several times with no progress).

Yep I agree you will strip the threads

Yep I agree you need a gunsmith ( if the receiver is a 80% DO NOT take it with you to the gunsmith ).

If you anneal it might get soft enough to drill it out. You first have to find out if you put a steel or stainless steel pin because ACE has both types of hardware. Then find the right annealing temps and times.

[saki302]

Worst case scenario-

Use a dremel took to make two cuts on the comp on either side- stop just short of touching the threads.

Then whack inside the cut with a flathead screwdriver to crack the brake off. It will fall off in 2 pieces.

-Dave

[Ryan in SD]

Shoot it off with a different gun.

But seriously, I typically do what sjgunguy does. Grind it down till you can see the outline then go from there. Shouldnt be too hard. Drill isnt always the best in these situations.

[kcstott]

Where are you located?? If you are near bring it over and I'll get the pin out. then you can repin it and weld it.

Or ship it down if you like. I'll take care of it next week

[goodlookin1]

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the advice....specifically to the people who actually added something to the thread . For those of you who are hatin...did you not read my original thread that I initially did everything perfectly? It's not hard. I have the skill, I just messed up and forgot the barrel nut.

Anyway, I made some more progress last night with the pin, but now I have an issue: The pin was broken in two....with the small part that was sticking up after it popped out a little bit, I was able to get pliers and twist it out, but the pin was already snapped off at the middle, so I got a chuck of it out, but the rest of it is still deep inside.

I dont see any way around either twisting it more and risk stripping the threads, or getting a carbide drill bit and using some oil and slowly drill the pin out.

Further, I dont know any gunsmith in the area capable of doing this. I'm sure there's someone who could help me, but therey're not necessarily a gunsmith. I live in Rocklin about 1 minute away from Sacramento Black Rifle.

kcstott, if I am at my wits end and making no progress, i'll definitely take you up on your offer, thank you very much! But I will have to ship it as I am in Norcal...

[goodlookin1]

Worst case scenario-

Use a dremel took to make two cuts on the comp on either side- stop just short of touching the threads.

Then whack inside the cut with a flathead screwdriver to crack the brake off. It will fall off in 2 pieces.

-Dave

I could do that, but I am trying to salvage the brake too...

Then again, you did say that this is a worst case scenario.