[Harry@Montana]

Hey guys, I'm new to "forums" and "threads". Not very good at navigating around. I picked up on a thread the other day about Tromix bolt on charging handles flying off during operation. Theoretically, it should not be possible for it to happen due to the design, but it seems it MAY happen on rare occasion. For those of you who want to make absolutely sure that this doesn't happen, and are pretty sure you won't be taking it off anytime soon, here is an idea to totally eliminate the possiblilty.

First of all, use a good cleaner to remove any trace of oil from inside the Tromix part, and also on the charging handle.. Get some slow setting, runny type epoxy. Don't use the fast setting or putty type. Won't work. Mix some up, and drop some inside the Tromix item, keeping the opening facing up. You want just enough to epoxy in there to go above the level of the setscrew when the original charging handle is put in it. No need to fill it completely. When the level is correct, slip the charging handle in, ALWAYS keeping the Tromix part upright with hole facing up. The setcrew should have been in its hole all the while. Now unscrew it till it nearly comes out, then back in. Do it again. This will get epoxy on the threads, and serve as the thread locker. Now tighten it up good and tight. Leave the weapon on its side with the Tromix part still upright for 8 hours or so, till it sets up. What you've done is fill all the gaps and made any movement impossible. It will never come off unless you want it to! If you ever want it off, disassemble the bolt. put the bolt only, (with the charging handle) in an oven and heat to about 250 degrees Fahrenheit, and using gloves, remove the setscrew and pull the Tromix part off. Some epoxies may need up to 300 degrees to soften, but it should all come apart if you ever want it to.

This method is very secure, and doesn't mar any surface, such as putting a dimple in the charging handle.

Keep buying those Tromix bolt on charging handles! They're great accessories, and make using an AK type a lot more fun.

[DogMan]

I had thought about epoxy but I considered it to be an absolutely permanent solution. I didn't know you could heat it to make it soft again. It seems that with the epoxy filling all the voids and making it virtually a solid unit the set screw would be redundant. If this works well I wonder if Tromix would sell an epoxy only version without the set screw and hole.

[Nailbomb]

now THATS one awsome first post! Look at that, Just joined and he's already covering a how to for fixing a potential problem.

Just try to get some pics to go along with your next guide, ok?

Oh and you should probably post a pic of your S-12 too...

[-Shooter-]

Welcome to the forum.

Your route sounds like what I would do. When I get a couple of the bolt-on CH's, I don't foresee myself having/wanting to take them off in the near future. The more permanent, the better, IMO.

[BobAsh]

As long as you line up the setscrew on the thinnest part of the handle and use loctite, it cant come off.

I think the one in question may have been on too deep so that the setscrew was on the thicker part near the bolt carrier.

[Harry@Montana]

BobAsh, on Sep 4 2009, 04:20 PM, said:

As long as you line up the setscrew on the thinnest part of the handle and use loctite, it cant come off.

I think the one in question may have been on too deep so that the setscrew was on the thicker part near the bolt carrier.

Bob, You're right. It is impossible for it to come off if properly installed and Loctited with RED Loctite. It also needs to be "wiggled on" as the setscrew is being tightened, moving it back and forth (not in and out) as the setscrew is slowly tightened. This is to make sure it is sitting in the absolute low spot in the crook of the handle. If all these things are done, it is against the law of physics for it to come off.

This tip is for those guys who have read about someone else's problem, and decide that maybe the handle isn't as advertised, and will give problems, or others who may want just a little more assurance. If done right, it will work well with or without the epoxy. Great product!

[Harry@Montana]

DogMan, on Sep 4 2009, 03:30 AM, said:

I had thought about epoxy but I considered it to be an absolutely permanent solution. I didn't know you could heat it to make it soft again. It seems that with the epoxy filling all the voids and making it virtually a solid unit the set screw would be redundant. If this works well I wonder if Tromix would sell an epoxy only version without the set screw and hole.

Hey DogMan!
"Glue on only" is for something to put on your sister's dress! Not something that goes on a man's weapon. "Bolt on" is for a man's weapon! Seriously, the setscrew is still necessary to bring the bolt- on handle into rigid alignment before the epoxy sets. And still adds great strength to the lock up.

Having been a machinist and gunsmith for well over 20 years, I have mucho experience with these kinds of applications. I'm also a enthusiastic fan of Tromix products.

[sparky63]

Harry@Montana, on Sep 5 2009, 09:03 PM, said:

DogMan, on Sep 4 2009, 03:30 AM, said:

I had thought about epoxy but I considered it to be an absolutely permanent solution. I didn't know you could heat it to make it soft again. It seems that with the epoxy filling all the voids and making it virtually a solid unit the set screw would be redundant. If this works well I wonder if Tromix would sell an epoxy only version without the set screw and hole.

Hey DogMan!
"Glue on only" is for something to put on your sister's dress! Not something that goes on a man's weapon. "Bolt on" is for a man's weapon! Seriously, the setscrew is still necessary to bring the bolt- on handle into rigid alignment before the epoxy sets. And still adds great strength to the lock up.

Having been a machinist and gunsmith for well over 20 years, I have mucho experience with these kinds of applications. I'm also a enthusiastic fan of Tromix products.

i have been trying to grasp what the charging handle is like,dos it protrude farther out than the factory handle?does it seem to be faster or handyer to get a hold of?just askin.

[BobAsh]

Here's a pic. Most guys really love the way it feels.

[sparky63]

thanks bob adding it to wish list ,right after conversion/restoration.

[DogMan]

Harry@Montana, on Sep 5 2009, 07:03 PM, said:

DogMan, on Sep 4 2009, 03:30 AM, said:

I had thought about epoxy but I considered it to be an absolutely permanent solution. I didn't know you could heat it to make it soft again. It seems that with the epoxy filling all the voids and making it virtually a solid unit the set screw would be redundant. If this works well I wonder if Tromix would sell an epoxy only version without the set screw and hole.

Hey DogMan!
"Glue on only" is for something to put on your sister's dress! Not something that goes on a man's weapon. "Bolt on" is for a man's weapon! Seriously, the setscrew is still necessary to bring the bolt- on handle into rigid alignment before the epoxy sets. And still adds great strength to the lock up.

Having been a machinist and gunsmith for well over 20 years, I have mucho experience with these kinds of applications. I'm also a enthusiastic fan of Tromix products.

Well Harry, I guess I could take your comment either way but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you were just joking around. I've been critical of others who seem a little too sensetive so I'll try to set a good example here. Not that it matters that much but we're talking about Epoxy vs screw not glue vs bolt. No doubt the set screw adds more strength to the equation but I would still be interested in seeing how an "epoxy only" application would hold up just for the hell of it.

[Harry@Montana]

DogMan, on Sep 6 2009, 01:35 PM, said:

Harry@Montana, on Sep 5 2009, 07:03 PM, said:

DogMan, on Sep 4 2009, 03:30 AM, said:

I had thought about epoxy but I considered it to be an absolutely permanent solution. I didn't know you could heat it to make it soft again. It seems that with the epoxy filling all the voids and making it virtually a solid unit the set screw would be redundant. If this works well I wonder if Tromix would sell an epoxy only version without the set screw and hole.

Hey DogMan!
"Glue on only" is for something to put on your sister's dress! Not something that goes on a man's weapon. "Bolt on" is for a man's weapon! Seriously, the setscrew is still necessary to bring the bolt- on handle into rigid alignment before the epoxy sets. And still adds great strength to the lock up.

Having been a machinist and gunsmith for well over 20 years, I have mucho experience with these kinds of applications. I'm also a enthusiastic fan of Tromix products.

Well Harry, I guess I could take your comment either way but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you were just joking around. I've been critical of others who seem a little too sensetive so I'll try to set a good example here. Not that it matters that much but we're talking about Epoxy vs screw not glue vs bolt. No doubt the set screw adds more strength to the equation but I would still be interested in seeing how an "epoxy only" application would hold up just for the hell of it.

I'm glad you were willing to take it as a joke, cause that's all it was. Seemed funny as I was typing it. I'm actually quite certain that epoxy by itself would hold just fine. Keeping it in the proper position till it set would be a challenge. Harry.

[DogMan]

Harry@Montana, on Sep 6 2009, 02:10 PM, said:

DogMan, on Sep 6 2009, 01:35 PM, said:

Harry@Montana, on Sep 5 2009, 07:03 PM, said:

DogMan, on Sep 4 2009, 03:30 AM, said:

I had thought about epoxy but I considered it to be an absolutely permanent solution. I didn't know you could heat it to make it soft again. It seems that with the epoxy filling all the voids and making it virtually a solid unit the set screw would be redundant. If this works well I wonder if Tromix would sell an epoxy only version without the set screw and hole.

Hey DogMan!
"Glue on only" is for something to put on your sister's dress! Not something that goes on a man's weapon. "Bolt on" is for a man's weapon! Seriously, the setscrew is still necessary to bring the bolt- on handle into rigid alignment before the epoxy sets. And still adds great strength to the lock up.

Having been a machinist and gunsmith for well over 20 years, I have mucho experience with these kinds of applications. I'm also a enthusiastic fan of Tromix products.

Well Harry, I guess I could take your comment either way but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you were just joking around. I've been critical of others who seem a little too sensetive so I'll try to set a good example here. Not that it matters that much but we're talking about Epoxy vs screw not glue vs bolt. No doubt the set screw adds more strength to the equation but I would still be interested in seeing how an "epoxy only" application would hold up just for the hell of it.

I'm glad you were willing to take it as a joke, cause that's all it was. Seemed funny as I was typing it. I'm actually quite certain that epoxy by itself would hold just fine. Keeping it in the proper position till it set would be a challenge. Harry.

Thanks Harry. I know I seem like one of those guys thats trying to fix a problem that doesn't exist. While the handle with the set screw looks just fine it seemed to me that there might be some who would prefer the look without the set screw if they were using another method where it wasn't absolutely needed. Not a big deal either way. Cheers.

[lvjeffro]

I love the extra grip you get with this piece...I see no reason to ever take it off, as it would be like wanting to take off the factory handle for some reason???

I will be having mine welded on...I also thought about drilling a small dimple in the CH where you want the grub screw to go and it would never come off...I too wish Tony and Bob would make a weld on version without the hole and grub screw...I'd buy one and give away my bolt on one...Any special orders guys???

This post has been edited by lvjeffro: 07 September 2009 - 03:26 AM

[Harry@Montana]

lvjeffro, on Sep 7 2009, 04:13 AM, said:

I love the extra grip you get with this piece...I see no reason to ever take it off, as it would be like wanting to take off the factory handle for some reason???

I will be having mine welded on...I also thought about drilling a small dimple in the CH where you want the grub screw to go and it would never come off...I too wish Tony and Bob would make a weld on version without the hole and grub screw...I'd buy one and give away my bolt on one...Any special orders guys???

I have no affiliation with Tromix, so I don't speak for Tony or Bob. I have, however handled lots of these bolt-ons by now. Very thoughtfully designed an executed product. I think that the very nicely chamfered and contoured recess for the setscrew, plus the head of the screw sitting just below the surface looks great and adds just a little bit of extra grip.

It would be difficult to do a nice, neat, job of welding on a handle. The hole is necessarily fairly large to clear the biggest parts of the original handle as it is being installed, so lots of filler would be needed to fill the back of the hole when welded. It's also kind of hard to access properly. Not one in ten weldors would be able to do a nice looking and secure job. As experienced as I am, I would not do the job. To anyone who asked me, I would recommend the epoxy trick, if they just wanted a little extra assurance. Harry.

[Dylan]

I have one and I love the way it feels. Now if only I had the rest of my S12 to use it

[BobAsh]

Harry@Montana, on 07 September 2009 - 11:15 AM, said:

I have, however handled lots of these bolt-ons by now. Very thoughtfully designed an executed product. I think that the very nicely chamfered and contoured recess for the setscrew, plus the head of the screw sitting just below the surface looks great and adds just a little bit of extra grip.

Thanks for the kind words, Harry. We really appreciate it.