Need a particular cast;le nut wrench

[pmclaine]

Hello,

I'm a novice AR15 mechanic. I'm doing some work on the stock extension of an AR and I need a castle nut wrench. I have a beautiful Brownells 4 points of contact wrench that was great for busting loose my castle nut but I am now installing one of these

and my Brownells wrench wont work.

I understand this type of wrench from Sherluk Marketing is good but I think they are out of business

Anyone suggest a good two points of contact wrench or an alternative method (not a screw driver and hammer method) to get my castle nut tight?

 

[TRP173]

Re: Need a particular cast;le nut wrench

Did you try to google spanner or pin spanner wrench? you should find several that would work.

 

[MtnCreek]

Re: Need a particular cast;le nut wrench

I don't understand why you can't use the same nut that you removed. The same nut fits right behind the part in the photo, correct?

Not sure if it would help in this situation, but strap wrenches are handy.

 

[HillbillyfromAL]

Re: Need a particular cast;le nut wrench

You just reuse the castle nut unless you screwed it up. A Tapco castle nut wrench is about $10 on amazon. Brownells also has videos to help you work on the AR.

 

[pmclaine]

Re: Need a particular cast;le nut wrench

Take a look at the end plate with the dual sling QD bosses.

The typical wrench has three or four points of contact with the castle nut crenallations. I can not access the castle nut using the typical wrench because the QD bosses interfere. The single point wrenches I have seen have a radius on the tool that makes the handle hit the QD boss before the nut begins to turn.

I need a two point wrench as pictured or better yet one that is capable of hitting the crenallations at 90 degrees rather than the two at 180 degrees.

I am reusing the castle nut as it was in fine shape after loosening it to replace the standard flat plate with the dual QD plate.

The adjustable spanner wrench is probably my best bet. Just thought someone may have picked up the Sherluk wrench design after they went tits up.

Tommy's Custom Uppers use to make one like that pictured but they also appear gone from the AR world.

 

[HillbillyfromAL]

Re: Need a particular cast;le nut wrench

Turn the castle nut around it must be backwards, or something. I just put a Troy industries QD on my LWRC the other day, it took about ten minutes from start to finish. The 4 castle nut wrench slots should be facing the buttstock. The castle nut should be long enough that you can access the rear with the new end plate in place. Then you should have one or more recessed areas to stake the castle nut. If your castle nut is too short somehow you may need another one. As far as the wrench goes a 3 point is what you really want. Your more likely to not get it tight enough with the others, and you have a higher chance of damaging the castle nut. That said the same wrench you used to loosen it the first time should work now. If not please post some actual pictures of your stuff so we can help out.

 

[pmclaine]

Re: Need a particular cast;le nut wrench

Hillbilly,

My original post shows photos of my new QD plate. Its a well made USA manufactured plate. Take a look at the bosses and you will see why a typical wrench, i.e. unlike the one pictured, will not work.

This is what I own for a wrench

http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-...-prod27454.aspx

There are few that are made better but this will positively not work with this QD plate. Neither will a 3 point wrench, or a Smith Enterprise wrench.

Anyone else not seeing the pictures in the first post?

Ive got some ideas (that will not involve a screw driver and hammer) to make this work. I was just hoping there was a small tool manufacturer like Sherluck or Tommy Custom Uppers that had the perfect thing ready made. I'm not considering a different plate or selling the rifle. I'll turn that castle nut without resorting to bubba methods and when Im done I will have a tool to remove it if need be and do it again.

 

[MtnCreek]

Re: Need a particular cast;le nut wrench

I see what you’re saying now; sorry for the confusion on my end. The nut wrench I use is on the typical armorers wrench. You’re right that is engages one notch, then rests on about half the radius of the nut.

I can’t help with a wrench, but it is perfectly acceptable to use a Brass Punch and small hammer to set the nut. That’s something you should be able to source locally.

Good luck.

 

[HillbillyfromAL]

Re: Need a particular cast;le nut wrench

Who makes that QD plate? They should be able to tell you what tool you'll need and where to get it. If it were me I would get my money back, and go with another one that works with standard tools. IMHO I think that someone screwed up somewhere if what your describing is correct. It's not like this is new concept. If you really want to keep it try the one point wrench and if that doesn't work I would suggest getting your money back. You should able to access all 4 points with the end plate in place, and the QD bosses shouldn't be in the way.

 

[HillbillyfromAL]

Re: Need a particular cast;le nut wrench

Here's a picture of how it should line up. In the case of yours the QD bosses look as if they are offset to the rear causing the problem. Maybe they make castle nuts that are different lengths. Good luck

 

[pmclaine]

Re: Need a particular cast;le nut wrench

The LMT castle nuts are mil spec and standard length will work fine.


On your end plate my Brownells wrench would work but I didnt buy a Troy endplate.


I'll get my plate to work just fine. Local machine shop I have do small jobs for me once in a while is willing to help out.

What would work great is a steel tube "negative" of the castle nut that will fit over the stock extension. If its the same dimensions as the castle nut I'd probably be able to get three teeth to bite. Kind of like a spark plug boot wrench but built to turn castle nuts.

Not the best picture of the problem but this is the rifle Im working on.

 

[HillbillyfromAL]

Re: Need a particular cast;le nut wrench

So who made the end plate your using?

 

[pmclaine]

Re: Need a particular cast;le nut wrench

http://www.savvysniper.com/attachmentsnew.html

Critical Dimension is the manufacturer. Bought when I ordered a sling from Savy Sniper.

Savy Sniper is great people by the way. Owner has offered to send me his Sherluk wrench but I like owning my own toys.

Couldn't find Critical dimension with Google search.

 

[HillbillyfromAL]

Re: Need a particular cast;le nut wrench

Well good luck and if you change your mind about another QD end plate the Troy is made in the USA as well.

 

[pmclaine]

Update:

Took awhile but this worked perfect.