M16A1 Handguards

[usabaker]

I pick up two sets of M16A1 (Vietnam Era) furniture to play around with, I don't own an AR of any type. I figured that it would be a fun project to restore them. One set really just needs a good cleaning and finish. The other set needs some work.

I have an idea on how I can reconstruct broken off handguard vent tangs but am wondering how these are normally reconstructed, if at all.

*** YES I KNOW ITS A WASTE OF TIME, but so is watching TV and reruns of Archie Bunker and the Waltons. But this is the kind of crap I like to do, its fun, way more fun than 1. stamp collecting, 2. booger collections and 3. watching Mellinals trying to find a safe space, well maybe not funner then #3. SO ya' don't need to tell me I can buy a clean set for less than it costs to fix them, that's not the point.... especially since I don't have an AR or M16.

Information

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[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

A man after my own heart.
I just came in from 95 deg. F 100% humidity heat building a set of light brackets for a truck that I could have bought for $40.
Sometimes you just need a challenge.
I have contemplated your mission although never tried it. Perhaps build a supporting form with cardboard or something like it to the rough shape of the "tooth". Coat it with some type of release agent and build up with bedding compound or HB weld? File /dremmel to final shape?
That's as far as I got with my brainstorming.
P.S.
I should have bought the brackets.

[usabaker]

Perhaps build a supporting form with cardboard or something like it to the rough shape of the "tooth". Coat it with some type of release agent and build up with bedding compound or HB weld? File /dremmel to final shape?

Mississippi, I remember those days even sort of miss them. I was stationed in Gulfport in 1977 ~ 1979 almost moved back, might of too except for a crazy woman that kept stalking me. Anyhow, Didn't think of Acraglas bedding, did think if the JB Weld. I have some silicone molding material I was thinking about making a mold off the good set and then set the mold in place in the set that needs restoration and use fiberglass, JB weld, or now Acraglas; not sure which will adhere better to the A1 plastic.

I just came in from 95 deg. F 100% humidity heat building a set of light brackets for a truck that I could have bought for $40

Why buy when you can make, there is something about making and fixing that overrides fast, easy and cost. So how did the brackets come out since you say ya should have bought them?

[ArizonaBeagle]

I also have a couple of hand guard sets that need a tooth or two replaced.
I was planning on using fiberglass cloth somewhat oversize and file/dremel to fit.
Just haven't gotten around to it yet.
I'll be curious to see what you end up doing with yours.

AZB

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Why buy when you can make, there is something about making and fixing that overrides fast, easy and cost. So how did the brackets come out since you say ya should have bought them?

Feeling better about the fabrication project now that I have cooled off. I really enjoy making / repairing things.
Keep us posted on what works as I have a couple of sets that could use some orthodontic repairs.
P.S.
Building a retro AR is great fun as well.

[M94/14]

Here's what I did to fix one years ago...

I used 2.5 oz. Carbon Fiber cloth, although carbon matting will work as well, if you can find it. Make a form that fits the inside curvature of the tooth area (use the existing good teeth for the proper contour) and clamp it or attach it somehow to some of these good "teeth". Put wax paper on the form before you attach it though. Clean the area with acetone, then mix up some accraglas, or any good epoxy resin and start laying down several swatches of carbon cloth, or matting to build up the broken teeth. Be liberal with the cloth and build it up in excess of the thickness of the existing teeth. When cured, you can shape the sides with a dremel and a sanding wheel, then use a block and paper to blend the thickness and square the edge. When done, Mix up some more resin, and apply a swatch or two of cloth on the inside of the handguard overlapping the joint area of the teeth you just fixed. Contour again and you're done.

If you can find the carbon matting, it's a bit better in that when blended and shaped, there's no "weave" to cover up.

Hope this helps...

[Sunray]

Masking tape and epoxy bedding material would do it. Kind of suspect it wouldn't last though. It's kind of brittle.
What'd probably work best is a fiberglass resin boat repair kit. $14.97 US for a Bondo brand kit in Home Depot. One cent cheaper in Wally World.
"...don't own an AR..." Me either but I have a brand new, unfinished forestock for a C7 rifle. Did some work in the factory that made 'em, 19 years ago, in Kitchener, Ont. and acquired a souvenir.

[tbonesmith]

If you go the fibreglass route, use epoxy resin and a woven cloth and not polyester and chopstrand mat. The epoxy sticks to anything and you can almost be guaranteed of a very good bond. Polyester resins are hit and miss bond wise when going over materials other than polyester. If those guards were mine, I do as previously suggested and make a mold to give the approximate curve to the repair area and layup the glass repair from the inside of the guard. Let it cure, shape it, fill it with filler or more glass as required, make good.
If you add some black pigment to the resin it may make the colour match of the repair very close off the bat.