Gunsmithing Best way to remove rocksett from threads?

Djstorm100

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Feb 5, 2010
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Is there a quick way to remove rocksett off the threads? I'm switching brakes and while I got the brake off I've taken a broken x acto knife and use the thick part (not the blade) to break up the rocksett and then going over it with a SS or brass brush. It takes a while but get it clean. I know rocksett is water solvable but I never put that much on the threads that require me dunking the muzzle in water.

Also a way to clean the threads of the brake? I just know to get a bolt and run it in and out.
 
^^^Rocksett is heat resistant ( ~ 2,000 deg) but water soluble. Soak the part(s) in warm water for 30 min (or washcloth soaked with hot water), then clean off with a stiff brush.

A few years ago, I contacted Flexor Machine Corp. to determine the best approach to removing Rocksett. Here's
what they replied.

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1. Boil water in a pan, submerge mount/threads into it and leave it overnight. Try not to leave too much of the barrel in there if you can help it, though it won't hurt if you clean it good later.

2. In the morning or next day, do this again. Leave it in the water for ten minutes or so to heat back up but before the water is cool, remove it.

3. Have your reaction rod or barrel vise setup and quickly put it on (for removal).

3. Should wrench right off now.

A little heat from the torch can help, but only after you've soaked it like this. It'll "crack" easier like the guy above said if still stubborn. This is what works best for me. Quickly clean it with a brush and pick after it comes off and before it rehardens and it'll be much easier to clean. Be sure to get it all out then.

For reinstallation, I prefer red Loctite due to the hassle with Rocksett and apply a bit more torque; they make a permanent green Loctite, don't know much about it though or if it comes off at all. If they used a LOT of Rocksett, it can be a real bitch to get off, especially if torqued down. You don't need a whole lot of torque on these mounts when you use Rocksett or another strong thread locker, but they get overdone more often than not. I forget which mfg., maybe AAC? They use Rocksett. They said to use one or two drops at most, hand tighten and then give it a snug turn with a wrench. That's it. I've done that and it works, still had to do the above steps to remove it. That stuff works, but it can be a bitch to remove, depending.

Good luck! The above should make it a lot easier though.
 
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1. Boil water in a pan, submerge mount/threads into it and leave it overnight. Try not to leave too much of the barrel in there if you can help it, though it won't hurt if you clean it good later.

2. In the morning or next day, do this again. Leave it in the water for ten minutes or so to heat back up but before the water is cool, remove it.

3. Have your reaction rod or barrel vise setup and quickly put it on (for removal).

3. Should wrench right off now.

A little heat from the torch can help, but only after you've soaked it like this. It'll "crack" easier like the guy above said if still stubborn. This is what works best for me. Quickly clean it with a brush and pick after it comes off and before it rehardens and it'll be much easier to clean. Be sure to get it all out then.

For reinstallation, I prefer red Loctite due to the hassle with Rocksett and apply a bit more torque; they make a permanent green Loctite, don't know much about it though or if it comes off at all. If they used a LOT of Rocksett, it can be a real bitch to get off, especially if torqued down. You don't need a whole lot of torque on these mounts when you use Rocksett or another strong thread locker, but they get overdone more often than not. I forget which mfg., maybe AAC? They use Rocksett. They said to use one or two drops at most, hand tighten and then give it a snug turn with a wrench. That's it. I've done that and it works, still had to do the above steps to remove it. That stuff works, but it can be a bitch to remove, depending.

Good luck! The above should make it a lot easier though.
Worked like a charm, thank you.
 
While I have never used Rocksett I have dealt with all sorts of locking agents like epoxy and polyamide patches on top of regular loctite. If I don't have the right size tap or die to chase the treads I have had good luck taking a regular screw(most people call them a bolt) and cutting a couple grooves in the thread with a slicer wheel. This gives whatever you are trying to get out of the threads a place to go and acts as a cutting surface. You can do the same with a nut by putting a hacksaw blade through it to make some reliefs. The farmer in me gets the best of me sometimes.
 
No problem man. BTDT a few times.

Just don't do what I did one time and soak it, then put the upper on the reaction rod (tilted slightly up) remove the brake, reinstall the new one and just put it away... Before cleaning, so water ran down and collected in the chamber rusting out a brand new barrel. Duh.

Make damn sure to get any/all water out and run oily and dry patches down the bore like you would the last step of cleaning to be safe. Can't stress that enough really. Only happened the one time but that was enough. Thank god it was just an AR and a relatively easy/cheap fix.

While I have never used Rocksett I have dealt with all sorts of locking agents like epoxy and polyamide patches on top of regular loctite. If I don't have the right size tap or die to chase the treads I have had good luck taking a regular screw(most people call them a bolt) and cutting a couple grooves in the thread with a slicer wheel. This gives whatever you are trying to get out of the threads a place to go and acts as a cutting surface. You can do the same with a nut by putting a hacksaw blade through it to make some reliefs. The farmer in me gets the best of me sometimes.

Haven't figured out a solution using baling wire yet? Come on, thought you said you were a farmer... I know guys that can make their own helicoil inserts out of that stuff! Seriously though, I know what you're talking about, BTDT too. The simplicity of a farm shop vs. the stuff that comes out of it is impressive.