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New AI/Badger Action Wrench

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Full Member
Minuteman
Dec 19, 2006
1,004
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Kentucky
If anyone is looking for an action wrench for their AI or Badger actions, you should get with Dennis_in_VA here on the hide as he has a cost effective solution. I met Dennis at Woody's Designated Marksman Match in NC this past weekend and he showed me his action wrench. The fit in my action is perfect and the 17-4 stainless wrench has a good looking bead blasted finish. Even the wire under the cable sleeve is stainless. There's rubber on the pin/stop so it won't mar the finish on your action which I thought was a nice touch along with a wire that keeps the pin/stop with the wrench.

Dennis makes 2 versions of the AI/Badger action wrench. The offset version seen below and a straight version for the guys that can/want to remove their actions from their stock/chassis. For the straight version he's charging $90 shipped in the US via flat rate or $125 for the offset shipped in the US via flat rate. He also told me he is going to have a Sako TRG action wrench soon so you Sako guys need to check that out when he releases them.

If you're looking for an action wrench you should check these out. As far as I'm concerned, he's making the best looking and most cost effective AI/Badger action wrench that's currently available. I don't work for him so if you have any specific questions IM him or his email is [email protected]. He's a friendly guy and I'm sure he'd be happy to answer your questions.

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Re: New AI/Badger Action Wrench

i got the one that was on the table at Woody's match it is a very nice and is very well made i will do a review on it as soon as i get another barrel and make me a barrel block so i can use it .
 
Re: New AI/Badger Action Wrench

that does look like a very nice action wrench. I'll have to consider this when i purchase on for my AE
 
Re: New AI/Badger Action Wrench

now thats a great price for that tool. wish i had a aw
 
Re: New AI/Badger Action Wrench

Have only seen the pics but it looks very well made! May just have to pick one up and a 243 barrel for the AW.
 
Re: New AI/Badger Action Wrench

I'm still looking for some feedback from the actual end users.

How are these new wrenches holding up for you?

PM me with any comments you might have.

If there are any improvements needed, I want to know about it.
 
Re: New AI/Badger Action Wrench

Dennis--How much are the action tools for the BO 2008? Would it make sense to lengthen the ejection port tab slot so the tab could be placed lengthwise thus engaging a longer ejection port bearing surface and to avoid sticking further out of the ejection port? Just a thought. Thx. joe
 
Re: New AI/Badger Action Wrench

The amount of material (Drive Key) that sticks past the ejection port doesn't hurt a thing. It gives the user a place to grab the Key. It affords a spot for the retention cable to live.

Making the Drive Key longer might be a benefit but after looking at all the other tools that have been made, some have longer (or wider, if you want to call it such) Drive Keys than my design. The factory AI wrench looks to have a Drive Key that's narrower than mine.
 
Re: New AI/Badger Action Wrench

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dennis_in_VA</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The amount of material (Drive Key) that sticks past the ejection port doesn't hurt a thing. It gives the user a place to grab the Key. It affords a spot for the retention cable to live.

Making the Drive Key longer might be a benefit but after looking at all the other tools that have been made, some have longer (or wider, if you want to call it such) Drive Keys than my design. The factory AI wrench looks to have a Drive Key that's narrower than mine.</div></div>

Having severely damaged an AI using the factory AI wrench which slipped partially out of the slot during torquing, I'm inclined to want maximum surface area and firm lockup between key and wrench. Your wrench looks better than the factory one, but is there any downside to going bigger?
 
Re: New AI/Badger Action Wrench

Well, you have a good point there.

The drive key slot is cut as tight as I can get it with out being too tight. It is cut about as deep as I can get it without going thru the off side.

I use a patch of 90 durometer rubber on the drive key so there is no metal to metal contact.

Thats the kind of feedback I need so I can make any needed improvements.

So how wide would you want the drive key to be?
 
Re: New AI/Badger Action Wrench

Ahh, the rubber makes sense now - in the photos posted above I mistakenly took the black rubber to be a depression in the key. Definitely looks to be a well thought-out design..might have to see about ordering one up one of these days..
smile.gif
 
Re: New AI/Badger Action Wrench

I just received my AI action wrench today. I have never used one before. But it was simple. I liked how the wrench fit the action tightly and the rubber protector. If you are in the market for one give Dennis a PM. There worth every penny. He is great to deal with and shipped fast.
 
Re: New AI/Badger Action Wrench

No, unfortunately for me, I don't make a wrench that will work on the TAC 30.

I would guess that any wrench that fits a Remington 700 will work with that action.

Just to be sure, I would ask Jerry Stiller if he has one for sale or what he would recommend.
 
Re: New AI/Badger Action Wrench

Those of you that have one of my wrenches, how many have actually used it?

Were there any issues with the rubber coming loose while in use?

Any other issues?

Let's here some feedback / field reports.
 
Re: New AI/Badger Action Wrench

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dennis_in_VA</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Those of you that have one of my wrenches, how many have actually used it?

Were there any issues with the rubber coming loose while in use?

Any other issues?

Let's here some feedback / field reports.</div></div>

Used mine twice already, the rubber stayed in place but it did lift/bend up off the flap when pressure was applied - which didn't bother me enough to correct. I'm sure a zip tie or some adhesive would help. Other than that worked perfectly, very happy, recommended.
 
Re: New AI/Badger Action Wrench

Dennis,

I used a wrench that I owned once upon a time and sold that had a nice 1/2" square machined in the back of it. Just needed the torque wrench and never had to go hunt down the right socket.

Come to think of it, it might have just been a socket welded onto the bar, but it was handy either way.
 
Re: New AI/Badger Action Wrench

The rubber lifting up (didn't fall off) is the only "issue" that I ran into.
 
Re: New AI/Badger Action Wrench

OK... I have tried several different adhesives and surface prep methods and nothing suits me so... I am going to use the same contact material with pre-installed adhesive. I did however do something different by locating the rubber so that the cable runs thru it as well as the drive key.

Now, even if the adhesive fails, the rubber will still be attached to the drive key (unless you abuse the tool).

I tried a different piece of contact material but several cycles @ 150+ ft/lb pinched it in half. The original material withstood the same test. You should not ever need to apply that much torque, but if you do, I feel the rubber will hold up.
 
Re: New AI/Badger Action Wrench

Have you tried the 3M VHM double stick tape? It is *permanent*, and a great product.

Not sure it would do what you're looking for on rubber, though.
 
Re: New AI/Badger Action Wrench

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Have you tried the 3M VHM double stick tape? It is *permanent*, and a great product.

Not sure it would do what you're looking for on rubber, though. </div></div>

Its not permanent.... we use it on cars frequently and with a heat gun it will come right off. But for this application it might be fine. They only downside to it.... its very thick.
 
Dennis ships them fast. I'm looking forward to using mine soon and putting my 6 CM barrel on. Deal with confidence
 
Im so happy to get a new tool that I thought to share with all of you. This is a very nice action wrench, beautiful vise, and bushing made by adamscustomrifles. Below are some picture of his fine craftsmanship. Thank you Dennis!


<a href="http://s156.photobucket.com/user/anaga1_2007/media/IMG_1493.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t5/anaga1_2007/IMG_1493.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_1493.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s156.photobucket.com/user/anaga1_2007/media/IMG_1491.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t5/anaga1_2007/IMG_1491.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_1491.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s156.photobucket.com/user/anaga1_2007/media/IMG_1492.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t5/anaga1_2007/IMG_1492.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_1492.jpg"/></a>
 
I have had one of Dennis' wrenches for a while now and with it I have swapped barrels many times on my AX. I went to an AI LE Armorers course last week and got to check out the factory wrench and barrel vise. It is my belief that what Dennis has is superior. The Key in his wrench covers more area on the action and I feel safer with it than I would the factory. I only own an AX. I have taken a barrel off an AE with Dennis' wrench, but not reinstalled. We were taught in the class when torquing a barrel onto an AE to run the key through the feedway instead of against the ejection port. Just looking at the 2, I believe Dennis' wrench would be fine for that as well. The rubber padding on the key is a very nice touch. I am not super concerned about my rifle's finish, but if you are, this addition is great. Like I said, I have swapped between 260 Rem and 308 many times in the past 6 months and the wrench looks pretty much like new. The rubber padding is still there holding on. I have not used it on my AX 338 yet, as I only have one barrel for it, but I'm sure it works fine. Dennis' wrench looks more refined compared to the factory wrench. I like being able to put a socket on it personally. The factory wrench, if I am not mistaken, had a square drive and the torque wrench the Brit instructor had slid over than drive. I like using my breaker bar vs a torque wrench to pull the barrel, so the socket works better for me.

I am looking forward to getting Dennis' barrel vise. I'm sure the AI one does fine, but I plan on mounting mine to a reese hitch so I can swap barrels at the range. The factory wood vise blocks would worry me using them in the field. Dennis had a good idea for doing that, and it would especially be a versatile set up for checking dope on a couple different calibers in one trip or at a benchrest type match where you could shoot a 308 class and open class in one day.

I fully recommend Dennis' kit.
 
Dennis_in_VA said:
OK... I have tried several different adhesives and surface prep methods and nothing suits me so... I am going to use the same contact material with pre-installed adhesive. I did however do something different by locating the rubber so that the cable runs thru it as well as the drive key.

Now, even if the adhesive fails, the rubber will still be attached to the drive key (unless you abuse the tool).

I tried a different piece of contact material but several cycles @ 150+ ft/lb pinched it in half. The original material withstood the same test. You should not ever need to apply that much torque, but if you do, I feel the rubber will hold up.
Click to expand...

So I have a question, Why a offset and straight version ? Why would one want a offset ?
 
If I remember correctly the straight allows you to remove the barrel on a folder without removing the scope
 
I have a LH action wrench and have used it quite a bit. I switch between 6xc for comps and .308 during hunting season and have yet to have any issues with the wrench. I wish I would of known you made barrel vises I would of scooped one of those up as well. I have zero complaints with your product. Only question I really have couldn't you make a wrench that fit both right and left handed actions?
 
I've used mine many times with no issues to speak of. Good product and the price is great. :)
 
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