L84Cabo 10 Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 Hi Folks What the heck is the secret to getting this Mag tube off? I've got one of Kips titanium tubes. I'm following the instructions that were enclosed plus what I've read here but I can't get the old tube to budge to save my life. I've got a Milwawkee heat gun that has two settings. Setting one if around 500 degrees and Kips instructions say to set the gun to a max of 400 degrees. But even at 500 I can't get the temp of the metal beyond 190. So I boosted the gun to level two and am trying to be careful. I've hit 260 on the receiver but I can't get the tube to budge. The receiver is incredibly hot. I'ts making me pretty nervous. I've noticed that I can now see blue loctite on the threads where there was none before. So it appears as if i'm having some luck melting the loctite but still no budge. This thing isn't lefthand thread or anything is it? Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hookster 10 Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 Hey Cabo, sorry it's becoming such a headache for you. Thread direction is normal, I assume you are concentrating the heat on the receiver itself (as opposed to the tube) since it will soak up the heat more efficiently. Perhaps a strap wrench would give you more twisting power if you are trying to turn it by hand but you'd need to take it easy until you are sure everything is well heated. I had a laser surface temp thermometer standing by but never needed it. When mine released it only moved a little bit and I had to keep at it and eventually got into a heat and turn a little, heat and turn a little rhythm. I hope all goes well Hookster Quote Link to post Share on other sites
texas skeeter 11 Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 YES left is off. and use a buddy to hold the heat gun working it on/off the tube while you twist counter clockwise/LEFT!! and "Needncash" wants to buy your OEM tube so dont scratch it!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TacticalKoala 10 Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 The secret is let a gunsmith do it. That saves you from ruining a $1400.00 shotgun. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
twowheelhooligan 10 Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 I took mine to Gander Mtn, best $20 I spent! I checked to be sure they had another M4 on the shelf beforehand. Even the 'smith came out panting(20min later) so at that point I knew the 30min drive and $20 was SOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooo worth it!. Then, just be sure to clean out the threads on your receiver and such. Enjoy the new tube!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
needncash 10 Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 Cabo, did you get it off yet? I need it, please pm me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Grizzman 10 Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 I most likely used the same heat gun as you did. I used the low setting, and it took a lot longer (10 minutes +) to heat up than I was expecting, but it eventually loosened up. I didn't get to the point where the locktite was smoking, but it did get hot enough for me to pretty easily remove it. Good luck, and be patient. Grizz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
erskatedoc 10 Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 I knew I would never put the factory one back on after getting my extended tube from KIP. Used a heat gun, but because I have a camo M4, I was worried about the finish. So I got my large pipe wrench and it came right off. Really left some nasty teeth marks on the factory mag. I did find a good use for the factory tube - we used in on the 4th of July to shoot bottle rockets. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BigHat 10 Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 Used the same heat gun. Just keep at it. Thinking you might have gotten a healthy dose of loctite on yours. I had purchased a strap wrench for a bathroom drain project so it was handy. Being able to apply adequate torque could be the issue. Hundreds of these have been installed and while some twist off easily by hand, a strap wrench does make the tough ones easier to deal with. $10 tool makes life easy. No need to pay a gunsmith. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
L84Cabo 10 Posted July 28, 2010 Author Share Posted July 28, 2010 Cabo, did you get it off yet? I need it, please pm me. PM sent. Still not off yet. Thanks all for the replies! Probably going to be the weekend before I have time to mess with it again. Peace Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mikegli 10 Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 Heat gun with a concentration on the receiver should work. I had no issues with mine. Keep us updated. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
L84Cabo 10 Posted July 30, 2010 Author Share Posted July 30, 2010 Done...got it! Little ******* was on there pretty good. Thanks all for the help! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hookster 10 Posted July 30, 2010 Share Posted July 30, 2010 Congrats Cabo! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Renault 10 Posted July 30, 2010 Share Posted July 30, 2010 The secret is let a gunsmith do it. That saves you from ruining a $1400.00 shotgun. The secret is to not spend more money unnecessarily after spending 1400$ on a shotgun. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Duggan 1 Posted August 3, 2010 Share Posted August 3, 2010 The secret is let a gunsmith do it. That saves you from ruining a $1400.00 shotgun. Is your m4 a limited edition smoked glass version or something? I don't know how you'd possibly hurt the m4 with a heatgun and a pair of manly hands. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TacticalKoala 10 Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 Is your m4 a limited edition smoked glass version or something? I don't know how you'd possibly hurt the m4 with a heatgun and a pair of manly hands. So you held yours in one hand, heated it with the heat gun, then dropped the heat gun and twisted off the tube ..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest cleefurd Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 Done...got it! Little ******* was on there pretty good. Thanks all for the help! Sorry I missed this thread L84Cabo. Also had an installer state he had success pre-softening the loc-tite by applying a few drops of Cano-Kroil to the thread joint. I suspect the heat helped it wick in, and he also used a strap wrench. Glad you got it. I was laid-up during your inquiries due to injuries and away from any computer access. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Duggan 1 Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 So you held yours in one hand, heated it with the heat gun, then dropped the heat gun and twisted off the tube ..... Yes, actually ... but not exactly. I got my tube removed by myself with little problems. Most people simply are afraid to use the heatgun enough, as they think it will damage the finish or some other such rubbish. I blasted the receiver for as long as I could stand, then put the stock in a vice and twisted the tube off with both hands. Easy stuff. Or go to a gunsmith if you're a pantywaist. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KB Fab 10 Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 Yes, actually ... but not exactly. I got my tube removed by myself with little problems. Most people simply are afraid to use the heatgun enough, as they think it will damage the finish or some other such rubbish. I blasted the receiver for as long as I could stand, then put the stock in a vice and twisted the tube off with both hands. Easy stuff. Or go to a gunsmith if you're a pantywaist. I did mine the exact same way except I just heated the stock tube right at the receiver. It took a couple of applications of the heat, just till there was a little smoke, and it screwed off with moderate pressure. No tools, just my hands twisting while the receiver was between the knees. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
OhioM4 10 Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 I borrowed a heat gun from a coworker. It had a locking trigger so I turned it on and set it down on top of the stove in the kitchen with the nozzle pointing into the kitchen. This left both hands free to handle the receiver and mag tube. I had a pair of heavy leather gloves to protect my hands. I kept turning the assembly so I evenly heated it. I periodically gave it a good twist with my hands. Once it reached the right temp, slight smell and wisp of smoke, it started turning. It did turn very slowly and I kept heating it a little as I turned it. No vise or strap wrench was necessary. I also considered heating it in the oven. I think it would work well but I was concerned about chemical smells...mmmm...Loktite flavored cookies. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
needncash 10 Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 A little patience = job well done Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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