Anyone with a lathe in Moore area?

[Maverick21]

I’ve got a barrel nut I need opened up to fit what is apparently an oversized barrel chamber OD.

I ordered a new Aero handguard for my Les Baer 6.5 Grendel AR. The barrel nut for the handguard, and apparently most barrel nut designs, are made to fit over 1” barrels at the chamber. This one is 1.05”.

I cannot find anything that specifies a different barrel nut design so I figure it’s worth a shot to bore out the barrel nut and see if I can make it work.

Does anyone in the Moore/Norman area have a lathe that could open up this barrel nut?

 

[Buddhaman]

I have access to one at work if nobody else is able to help.

 

[PBramble]

Isn't a barrel nut supposed to be threaded? Maybe it's just the pics, but I don't see any threads in it? How does it work?

 

[Maverick21]

Isn't a barrel nut supposed to be threaded? Maybe it's just the pics, but I don't see any threads in it? How does it work?

Right bind the second threaded hole the threads begin. Just cannot see them due to the angle.

 

[Profreedomokie]

If you can't find someone local to do it for you, ship it to me in Ponca City and I'll bore it for you. I'm guessing you're a gearhead so do you have a brake cylinder hone? Not the best way but, would work in a pinch.

 

[Snattlerake]

The company that made that needs to talk to their QC person.

 

[swampratt]

I may be wrong and correct me if I am but the portion of the nut that is contacting
does not ever touch the barrel when things are all buttoned up.

So if that is fact then you could use a simple drum sander and enlarge it just so it fits and does not touch.

 

[Maverick21]

Yeah I’ve thought about just using a drum sander but I want it to fit snug and the bore to be centered just right. I guess it couldn’t hurt to try. Can always get a new nut.
Cylinder hone sounds like it may do the trick.

 

[Maverick21]

The company that made that needs to talk to their QC person.

Still unsure of where the variance came from. I still think Les Baer uses non standard barrels. Always wondered why they had such a terrible handguard and I think it was something they made or had special made.

 

[dennishoddy]

Yeah I’ve thought about just using a drum sander but I want it to fit snug and the bore to be centered just right. I guess it couldn’t hurt to try. Can always get a new nut.
Cylinder hone sounds like it may do the trick.

You can also take a 1/2" or smaller rod that is 3" or so long. Use a band saw or hack saw to cut a horizontal slice down from the front about an inch. Precision doesn't matter.
Put some emery cloth into the slot insert in a drill and you have and instant internal lathe that will take out a couple thousandth very accurately. It's not precision work where you put it, just try to keep somewhat in the center.
Drum sanders will not keep the center circular resulting in high and low spots because the curvature of the drum without a constant source to rotate it will cause those high and low spots.
Your problem is easily solved with the emery paper in a drill. Be prepared to use a lot of emery cloth if you don't have some really abrasive like a 60 grit.