JAldrich2008 28 Posted October 10, 2010 Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 (edited) I recently redid my ports, and quickly ran into problems. I could not budge my gas block. I tried rubber mallets, 2x4's, and even a shelf bracket wrapped in duct tape. Then, while I was rooting through my toolbox, I came upon my pneumatic hammer from Harbor Freight. Removal: I used the flat chisel bit (installed in the picture) and placed it against the shoulder just behind where the hand grip bolt attaches. I tried to post a picture of this, but apparently I can't use Facebook links. (The only way I can get pictures on the computer from my phone) I'll try and edit one in at a later time. To actually remove the gas block, I placed the muzzle on a board on a concrete floor, (I reinstalled my original thread protector for this) placed the bit on the shoulder at about a 30 degree angle, and carefully applied pressure while squeezing the trigger. The block slid right off. Reinstallation: You will notice that on the opposite side of the hand grip hole, there is another shoulder. It's like they were put there just for this purpose. However, I was worried about starting the block at an angle and causing it to dig into the barrel and bind up. There is a simple solution for this. I turned my oven to 225 degrees and cooked my gas block for about 20 minutes. Once it was heated, I grabbed it with a leather glove, applied some oil along the inside edge, and slid it almost halfway on before it cooled and contracted. I then used the air hammer to drive it into place, and a rubber mallet to make sure it was in line. I reassembled the gun and was good to go. I hope this little writeup helps. Enlarging my ports was the best thing I have done yet for my Saiga. Edit: I'm having trouble adding pictures since I'm stuck using my phone for everything. If you go to Photobucket.com and search "JoeAldrich" you will see the pictures I was trying to upload. I only have 8 pictures total, so the ones of the gas block removal are easy to find. Of course, I didn't drive the block off with the barrel resting in the grass. I took these pictures after I had done the work just to show where and how I used the hammer to get the block off. I'm glad people are finding my tip useful, and if anyone is in the mid-Michigan area I am more than happy to help you out. Edited October 12, 2010 by JoeAldrich 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dlcjr1973 24 Posted October 10, 2010 Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 JA, Thanks for posting! I'd love to see those pics (I haven't had any problems posting from Facebook in the past -- maybe try again?). Did the bit do any damage to the gas block? Regards, Sapper Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JAldrich2008 28 Posted October 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 The pictures don't show too much, they just helped illustrate what I meant by "shoulder." If you pop your hand guard off, you'll see exactly what I'm talking about. The bit didn't do much damage to the block. It chewed some paint off, but I shot it with some Duplicolor engine enamel and it looks fine. Once my handguard is on, its completely hidden anyways. I've done this twice to my gun now, and I have not had problems with it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
zenman223 460 Posted October 10, 2010 Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 that is great, i only wish i had a chipping hammer! also i would think you could put a piece of steel on the gas block and hammer it to keep from buggering up the gas block. did it scratch the barrel at all?, ive been needing to open my ports but thats the main reason why i havent messed with it b/c i dont want to have to mess with refinishing the whole gun. how did your barrel look after removing and reinstalltion? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pedal2alloy 206 Posted October 10, 2010 Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 Removal: I used the flat chisel bit (installed in the picture) and placed it against the shoulder just behind where the hand grip bolt attaches. I tried to post a picture of this, but apparently I can't use Facebook links. (The only way I can get pictures on the computer from my phone) I'll try and edit one in at a later time. To actually remove the gas block, I placed the muzzle on a board on a concrete floor, (I reinstalled my original thread protector for this) placed the bit on the shoulder at about a 30 degree angle, and carefully applied pressure while squeezing the trigger. The block slid right off. Reinstallation: You will notice that on the opposite side of the hand grip hole, there is another shoulder. It's like they were put there just for this purpose. However, I was worried about starting the block at an angle and causing it to dig into the barrel and bind up. There is a simple solution for this. I turned my oven to 225 degrees and cooked my gas block for about 20 minutes. Once it was heated, I grabbed it with a leather glove, applied some oil along the inside edge, and slid it almost halfway on before it cooled and contracted. I then used the air hammer to drive it into place, and a rubber mallet to make sure it was in line. I reassembled the gun and was good to go. I hope this little writeup helps. Enlarging my ports was the best thing I have done yet for my Saiga. Man, that is really smart! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JAldrich2008 28 Posted October 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 that is great, i only wish i had a chipping hammer! also i would think you could put a piece of steel on the gas block and hammer it to keep from buggering up the gas block. did it scratch the barrel at all?, ive been needing to open my ports but thats the main reason why i havent messed with it b/c i dont want to have to mess with refinishing the whole gun. how did your barrel look after removing and reinstalltion? The air hammer was $9 at harbor freight. You have no excuse to not get one As for having to refinish, unless you screw up and run the bit somewhere its not supposed to go, you won't have to paint anything. I did not have any scratches on my barrel, and what little refinishing I did was totally unnecessary. However, if you do want to repaint something, Duplicolor flat black engine enamel #1634 will match the factory finish almost perfectly. I used it to cover the bare spots after my conversions and the paint line is almost invisible. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
6500rpm 670 Posted October 11, 2010 Report Share Posted October 11, 2010 +1-this works very well. I usually use aluminum or brass scrap against the block as a buffer to keep from chewing on it. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
skiboatsp 111 Posted October 11, 2010 Report Share Posted October 11, 2010 (edited) +1-this works very well. I usually use aluminum or brass scrap against the block as a buffer to keep from chewing on it. I usually use aluminum or brass scrap against the block as a buffer to keep from chewing on it. +1 Excellent! Once you remove the gas block the barrel can be polished to establish a light press fit to make any future removal eaisier. Use molly or anti sieze when installing. Edited October 11, 2010 by saigatechusa 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JAldrich2008 28 Posted October 11, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2010 Oh so I guess I'm not the first to use this method! I just hadn't heard about it before so I figured I'd share. Do you also use the air hammer (with the pointed bit) to drive out rivets when you're doing conversions? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The_Caged_Bird 474 Posted October 12, 2010 Report Share Posted October 12, 2010 Dude, e-mail the pics to yourself, then save the pic from your e-mail to your computer, then upload from your computer to photobucket. C'mon, my cheap-ass LG NV2 can do that... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paulyski 2,227 Posted October 12, 2010 Report Share Posted October 12, 2010 Do you also use the air hammer (with the pointed bit) to drive out rivets when you're doing conversions? I use a regular hammer & punch. It only takes 2 whacks. Good utilization of the air hammer. I'll have to try that method. I use my 20 ton press, but the air hammer would be even easier, because I have to remove stocks to fit guns in my press. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JAldrich2008 28 Posted October 12, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2010 o Dude, e-mail the pics to yourself, then save the pic from your e-mail to your computer, then upload from your computer to photobucket. C'mon, my cheap-ass LG NV2 can do that... Since my computer took a dive off my desk, I have been operating exclusively from my Samsung Moment Android phone1. It let me upload the picture from Harbor Freight's website, but every other time I've tried I get an error message. I've used pictures from Facebook, photobucket, and my Gmail account and I get a message saying I cannot upload that file type. My Photobucket name is JoeAldrich if you want to check out the pics there. I think outsiders can look at my pics, I just made the account and I only have a few photos online that I uploaded from my phone. Again, the directions are pretty self explanitory, but feel free to check them out. There are also some other shots of my gun, a CTS-V in a parking lot in town, and a nice DeLorean that passed me on the highway. Enjoy! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The_Caged_Bird 474 Posted October 12, 2010 Report Share Posted October 12, 2010 o Dude, e-mail the pics to yourself, then save the pic from your e-mail to your computer, then upload from your computer to photobucket. C'mon, my cheap-ass LG NV2 can do that... Since my computer took a dive off my desk, I have been operating exclusively from my Samsung Moment Android phone1. It let me upload the picture from Harbor Freight's website, but every other time I've tried I get an error message. I've used pictures from Facebook, photobucket, and my Gmail account and I get a message saying I cannot upload that file type. My Photobucket name is JoeAldrich if you want to check out the pics there. I think outsiders can look at my pics, I just made the account and I only have a few photos online that I uploaded from my phone. Again, the directions are pretty self explanitory, but feel free to check them out. There are also some other shots of my gun, a CTS-V in a parking lot in town, and a nice DeLorean that passed me on the highway. Enjoy! Oh man, I'm sorry, I assumed that you were on a computer... I guess that saying about assuming is right. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JAldrich2008 28 Posted October 12, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2010 No need for apologies, it is understandable to assume that someone posting on an internet forum is doing so from a legit computer. I should have one before too long. I don't think my gun needs anything in the near future... but I guess I shouldn't assume anything at this point. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
G O B 3,516 Posted October 12, 2010 Report Share Posted October 12, 2010 For rivets, I find a large,SHARP cold chisel and a 3# hammer will make short work of them! When using an air hammer to drive the gasblock off, blunt the chisel on the grinder and use a brass,aluminum, or plastic piece to hammer on. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
vbrtrmn 167 Posted October 12, 2010 Report Share Posted October 12, 2010 Might be a good excuse to buy an air hammer... seriously though great idea! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pistol fixer 0 Posted October 12, 2010 Report Share Posted October 12, 2010 Good tip Joe; on photo bucket all you need to do to post your pics here is get the IMG code and include it in your post here and the pics will open automaticly hope this helps Rick Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JAldrich2008 28 Posted October 12, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2010 (edited) L<a href="http://s1120.photobucket.com/albums/l490/JoeAldrich/?action=view¤t=2010-09-17191614.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1120.photobucket.com/albums/l490/JoeAldrich/2010-09-17191614.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> Edit: image post fail... I need a real computer. Edited October 12, 2010 by JoeAldrich Quote Link to post Share on other sites
zenman223 460 Posted October 12, 2010 Report Share Posted October 12, 2010 Might be a good excuse to buy an air hammer... seriously though great idea! exactly what i was thinkin!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fumes 84 Posted October 12, 2010 Report Share Posted October 12, 2010 It probably wouldn't hurt to turn your air pressure way down and then work up to a higher pressure until you had enough instead of just hitting the block with 90 PSI right off the bat. Just a thought. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JAldrich2008 28 Posted October 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2010 It probably wouldn't hurt to turn your air pressure way down and then work up to a higher pressure until you had enough instead of just hitting the block with 90 PSI right off the bat. Just a thought. There is a regulator built into the gun. Its the little knob right behind the air inlet. I left it on full power and controlled the gun with the trigger. Its pretty easy to start gently and work your way up. Once you get everything in place, you'll want the full power of the gun to keep things moving. (Unless you have a big beastly air hammer... the Harbor Freight one is just a little guy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fumes 84 Posted October 13, 2010 Report Share Posted October 13, 2010 I have the same hammer I just haven't gotten it out of my box in about a year. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paulyski 2,227 Posted March 28, 2011 Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 If you want to free up a hand while doing it, take a piece of brass or copper pipe, flatten it in your press or a vice, then cut or grind off one side. Split it like a clamshell a tiny bit & insert your chisel bit, now you have an instant soft tipped chisel & you don't have to hold a punch. It frees up a hand & cant slip off & get your hand with the chisel while using it. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Yoshi 87 Posted March 28, 2011 Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 Now that's thinkin' Pauly + 1. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pitbulld45 23 Posted January 10, 2012 Report Share Posted January 10, 2012 Thanks JoeAldrich, I am trying to get mine back on right now. Used a 1/8 inch piece of steel. It was a bitch and bent the hell out of the steel. So guess where Im headed to right now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
snafu360 21 Posted January 10, 2012 Report Share Posted January 10, 2012 (edited) +1 to this topic...awesome idea! Edited January 10, 2012 by snafu360 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JAldrich2008 28 Posted January 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 Thanks JoeAldrich, I am trying to get mine back on right now. Used a 1/8 inch piece of steel. It was a bitch and bent the hell out of the steel. So guess where Im headed to right now. No problem, i'm glad my information helped someone. Did you try cooling the gun and heating the gas block? I did that and it slid on about halfway before everything locked up. You can also put a little bit of oil on the barrel to help things slide together. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
White Rider 1 Posted January 11, 2012 Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 Good thread Joe, but my question regards the gas ports. I have a 4 port gun and from what I can measure my ports are about .046 - .047 and I have problems cycling bulk ammo. Im just wondering if I should upsize my ports to help out this problem. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pitbulld45 23 Posted January 11, 2012 Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 Thanks JoeAldrich, I am trying to get mine back on right now. Used a 1/8 inch piece of steel. It was a bitch and bent the hell out of the steel. So guess where Im headed to right now. No problem, i'm glad my information helped someone. Did you try cooling the gun and heating the gas block? I did that and it slid on about halfway before everything locked up. You can also put a little bit of oil on the barrel to help things slide together. Not yet. I sanded the gas block and repainted it. Paint was still drying when I had to go to work. Im for sure going to try it tomorrow. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fitty% 808 Posted January 11, 2012 Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 Yes +1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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