Preferred penetrating lubricant?

[91Eunozs]

So, is the nut off yet?

I have a bad story of using Locktite Red instead of anti seize on an AR barrel nut one time; built while 1/2 asleep after work one time. Long and relatively expensive fix, but a lesson I’ll never have to learn again!

 

[supercorndogs]

Red locktite is easy to remove, with the same process thats that makes it easy to remove stuck nut and bolts.....

 

[308pirate]

That said, shouldered barrels are the way to go. 80ft/lb with some Aeroshell 64 and gtg.

This same shitshow can happen with a shouldered barrel.

Threads are threads

 

[ormandj]

This same shitshow can happen with a shouldered barrel.

Threads are threads

Sure, threads are threads, but trying to tear off a barrel nut with 125ft/lb+ of torque, without destroying it, is a lot more challenging (at least on the puny little barrel nuts I've seen in the past). Maybe they're making the nuts a lot more beefy now - I haven't seen one (personally) in a looooong time, thankfully. I guess the upside is they're a lot easier to just cut off...

I also gave a suggestion that should avoid this kind of issue in the future. I've never had a barrel weld when properly addressed with anti seize on installation (to include mating surfaces, which often get forgotten). Hopefully there's not a first time for everything.

 

[308pirate]

Sure, threads are threads, but trying to tear off a barrel nut with 125ft/lb+ of torque, without destroying it, is a lot more challenging (at least on the puny little barrel nuts I've seen in the past). Maybe they're making the nuts a lot more beefy now - I haven't seen one (personally) in a looooong time, thankfully. I guess the upside is they're a lot easier to just cut off...

Fair point. The slots on many of them aren't super deep. In fact, barrel nuts seem to be a perfect application for gas or salt bath nitriding to give them a nice, hard, strong case and retaining the underlying ductility.

Then again, if you tighten a shouldered barrel to 80 lb-ft and it stays put, there's no reason to jam a nut (that does the same thing) on with 50% more torque.

 

[ormandj]

Fair point. The slots on many of them aren't super deep. In fact, barrel nuts seem to be a perfect application for gas or salt bath nitriding to give them a nice, hard, strong case and retaining the underlying ductility.

That sounds like a great idea. Also, we should move to something other than flats on nuts like these. There's got to be some high-torque e-torx like option. Finally, hahaha, I feel badly for someone who encounters a nitrided nut that somehow welds. Talk about a surprise when you start trying to cut it off! :trollface:

 

[308pirate]

I feel badly for someone who encounters a nitrided nut that somehow welds. Talk about a surprise when you start trying to cut it off! :trollface:

Carbide inserts cut through it like shit through a goose.

HSS inserts will not

 

[srt-4_uk]

That sounds like a great idea. Also, we should move to something other than flats on nuts like these.

Maybe the aftermarket will follow the OEM

Savage Arms Standard Shank Barrel Lock Nut 10, 110 Series SS

This is a factory replacement part for standard shank Savage rifles.Notes:This barrel nut is threaded 1.055"-20 for use with standard size barrels...

www.midwayusa.com

 

[FN15]

So far PB Blaster has served me well. I don't doubt there are better brands out there but its cheap and has done its job for me.

 

[Highbrass]

So as usual I got here late....
I make a penetrating oil known as Ed's red. The basic formula is pretty simple. Equal parts transmission fluid, Mineral Spirits and 10 wt compressor oil. I add a bit of Toluene to mine and some orange oil. I think the formula has been around for a long time. I think it was Popular Mechanics did a test of all the popular penetrating oils and Ed's red beat all of them.
I use it for cleaning all my guns and use it in my ultrasonic cleaner