Installing a gas tube on wood fore grip.

[Wild Bill]

Anybody have any advise on installing a gar tube to a wood grip? Do you gently twist the wood grip onto the tube? Any help is appreciated.

[Full Otto]

Pretty much that's what you do. I'd put the tube in a vice just snug to hold it in place no need to overdo it. There should be flat areas on the receiver end of it to hold in the vice. Then the wood goes on like using a throttle on a motor cycle if that makes sense. Just take your time and it will work.
I'm always impressed by whoever figured out how to shape the wood for that.

[O.S.O.K.]

A vice? I just use an adjustable wrench on the flats of the gas tube to allow me to torque the thing a bit - apply some soap (like from a bar of soap) to the wood if you want to make it a bit easier. Just hold the wood with one hand and the wrench with the other and rotate - will go right on.

[jojo]

Don't squeeze the wood too hard as you are turning it onto the gas tube or you'll run the risk of cracking it. As stated above lube it.

[sniper_n_training]

Don't squeeze the wood too hard as you are turning it onto the gas tube or you'll run the risk of cracking it.

A very newbie mistake I made back when I bought my first AK and disassembled it to see how it worked. I cracked that baby clean in half and had to buy a new one. Ahhh, AK newb memories.

[Full Otto]

I found this, has pictures too down toward bottom of page
http://ultimak.com/AKstockR&R.htm

I like using a vice, it frees up both hands to persuade the wood from around the tube. Using the wrench your essentially removing the tube from the wood creating torque on the thin wood which is where the splits happen.
That may apply more to removing one for the first time, they can be tight but it follows if it's easier in removal it should be easier in installing, such as pressing it in then twisting it on. Just a little lighter touch and control for me

[jojo]

A very newbie mistake I made back when I bought my first AK and disassembled it to see how it worked. I cracked that baby clean in half and had to buy a new one. Ahhh, AK newb memories.

So I'm not the only one, huh. Hehe

[slamfire51]

I always sprayed WD-40 around the flanges and let it soak for a few. This lubes and dissolves any cosmoline that may be between the metal and wood.

[El Laton Caliente]

Candle wax and Pariffin work as lubes also and stay in place so it breaks down easy next time.

[slamfire51]

Another thing to add, the metal tension spring sometimes rusts to the tube. WD-40 works to free this also.

[Wild Bill]

thanks, I got it on and did not crack the wood. The soap works, however, I will try the candle wax next time.