Gunsmithing Flush cup removal?

glockdan78

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 8, 2009
574
2
46
Austin TX
I have a manners t4 that took to my smith for flush cup install on the left side of the stock. I just assumed he was using quality flush cups like grov tec. Well I get it back and go to put my tab sling on it and the sling pulls out of the cups. The only loop attachments that work are the ones it came with and they are only 1". I call him and figure out they are uncle mikes pieces of shit. So I'm wondering if the um cups can be removed and replaced with grov tecs? I know they are epoxied in there.
 
Re: Flush cup removal?

I would use a soldering iron to heat up the cup to the point where the epoxy will degrade, then uncrew the cup. Epoxy generally begins to degrade at aroud 200 degrees.
 
Re: Flush cup removal?

I was thinking that. This manners is painted( duracoted by manners) ...I was worried the heat could hurt the finish. 200 degrees isn't too hot though.
 
Re: Flush cup removal?

I would not leave the iron on for long - just enough for the heat to transfer to the epoxy. That way you minimize the potential for heat transferring to the stock itself.
 
Re: Flush cup removal?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wnroscoe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The last one I removed I started to drill it out and the heat broke it loose. They're pretty easy to get out. </div></div>
So you started drilling it out first? Then heated it?
 
Re: Flush cup removal?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: glockdan78</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wnroscoe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The last one I removed I started to drill it out and the heat broke it loose. They're pretty easy to get out. </div></div>
So you started drilling it out first? Then heated it? </div></div>

I took his comment to mean that the heat generated during drilling broke it loose.
When you drill a hole, there is heat generated in the base material that you are drilling.
 
Re: Flush cup removal?

Yes, I started drilling and then it broke loose. I reversed the drill and it came right out. I used a larger than needed drill and didnt run wide open.

Soldering iron tip on the FC will transfer heat and sometimes brake it loose. If they used Marine Tex, it reacts differently to heat than Devcon or JB Weld.
 
Re: Flush cup removal?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wnroscoe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yes, I started drilling and then it broke loose. I reversed the drill and it came right out. </div></div>

I have a set of left hand drill bits in all the common tap-drill sizes.
When removing a broken off screw, I center drill down the middle and then get on it pretty good with the appropriate sized left-hand tap-drill.
I reverse drill the screw dry to create heat.
The screw usually holds for a few threads, but when the bit finally grabs, the rest of the screw comes whizzing out of the hole.
It's kinda scary, but really cool all at the same time...
 
Re: Flush cup removal?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: glockdan78</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a manners t4 that took to my smith for flush cup install on the left side of the stock. I just assumed he was using quality flush cups like grov tec. Well I get it back and go to put my tab sling on it and the sling pulls out of the cups. The only loop attachments that work are the ones it came with and they are only 1". I call him and figure out they are uncle mikes pieces of shit. So I'm wondering if the um cups can be removed and replaced with grov tecs? I know they are epoxied in there. </div></div>You can always send it back home, cost will just be the cost of cups plus shipping, if the stock is a solid color we will also reshoot color at no cost, it will come back to you perfict. Plus we stand behind our cups a 100%. Let me know and I will get you fixed up.
 
Re: Flush cup removal?

That's why I only buy manners. Actually they have another stock(t5a) of mine right now getting a few things done along with Branden painting it while it's in kc. Thanks Tom. I'll send it your way and give you a call. May be a few days.......newborn son!