ARS MASK Piston Heads: A Warning

McKee · November 26th, 2011, 13:59

If anyone is using ARS's MASK piston heads, I have a tale of caution for you.

Specifically these ones http://www.airsoftparts.ca/store2/in...oducts_id=1773 but it is likely a problem with all of them.

The sorbo pad on the piston face is glued into place. I highly recommend taking it out (it is poorly glued into place) and securing it with a better glue. Mine became detatched, stuck over the hole in the cylinder head, and created perfect compression. This caused the piston to not go forward all the way and consequently my gears nom nom nom'd my piston teeth.

Its actually a very good set and provides really good compression but this problem can ruin your day. This failed after less than 1000 bbs.

Spike · November 26th, 2011, 15:09

This happened with a gun I was working on as well. Bye bye piston.

Dynamo · November 26th, 2011, 15:27

nothing a little loctite super glue blue ultra gel can't prevent.

ThunderCactus · November 26th, 2011, 15:52

Same thing happened with mine after 20,000 rounds, so I custom built an air brake to fit in the hole the sorbo was in, and it kicked ass.

m102404 · November 26th, 2011, 15:54

I've had that happen as well...more so that I tought it looked like a poor bond, so I reglued it in advance.

Lousy on them...especially once a bit of grease/oil gets on it.

HKGhost · November 26th, 2011, 16:12

I find almost all piston head/ cylinder head with factory applied sorbothane pad always fall off. Had OP's issue with a customer's gun, but lucky nothing was damaged. Just a jam.

Amos · November 26th, 2011, 16:48

How tight are you guys putting the screw in?

I install roughly 5+ of these kits a week and I've never had this happen... however, I've noticed that if you over tighten the piston head screw, the screw will protrude a little bit and push the sorbothane tablet out from the back...

Skladfin · November 26th, 2011, 17:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by HKGhost

I find almost all piston head/ cylinder head with factory applied sorbothane pad always fall off. Had OP's issue with a customer's gun, but lucky nothing was damaged. Just a jam.

same, 30 rounds and the cylinder head pad came off. I just super glued it back on and it's great now.

HKGhost · November 26th, 2011, 17:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amos

How tight are you guys putting the screw in?

I install roughly 5+ of these kits a week and I've never had this happen... however, I've noticed that if you over tighten the piston head screw, the screw will protrude a little bit and push the sorbothane tablet out from the back...

Personally, I never over tighten piston heads. I finger tighten plus a quarter turn and that's it. I depend on the loctite to hold it firm and not torque. So it's the adhesive that ARS uses that's the problem. Plus the oil/grease that we use could also be the issue.

SuperHog · November 26th, 2011, 19:56

Is CA glue the permanent fix to prevent the sorbo pad from coming?

Amos · November 26th, 2011, 20:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by HKGhost

Personally, I never over tighten piston heads. I finger tighten plus a quarter turn and that's it. I depend on the loctite to hold it firm and not torque. So it's the adhesive that ARS uses that's the problem. Plus the oil/grease that we use could also be the issue.

The inside of the MASK piston head doesn't have a metal collar and Loctite is known to degrade plastic! I wouldn't suggest using loctite on any metal to plastic application.

They're coming out with a 4th Gen version of this product very soon -- I'll be sure to pass on these concerns to them.

coach · November 26th, 2011, 20:33

Use clear nail polish instead of loctite.

Adamlxlx · November 26th, 2011, 20:53

Damn I wish I would have known this before I installed it all. Time to take it apart.....again haha

HKGhost · November 26th, 2011, 22:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amos

The inside of the MASK piston head doesn't have a metal collar and Loctite is known to degrade plastic! I wouldn't suggest using loctite on any metal to plastic application.

They're coming out with a 4th Gen version of this product very soon -- I'll be sure to pass on these concerns to them.

I've been using blue loctite on metal to plastic, metal on metal for a few years now with no problems. I also don't put that much on, just enough to cover the first few threads. Polycarbonate, POM and most plastic used for piston heads won't degrade with loctite.

ThunderCactus · November 26th, 2011, 22:36

I'm curious to how you're getting away with that, it's well known that blue loctite degrades polycarbonate. I've seen it happen a few times last year, but the loctite has to be between the piston head and piston face, it weakens the plastic and fails after just a few hundred rounds.
Loctite makes specific adhesives for polycarbonate, but regular super glue works really well.

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November 26th, 2011, 13:59	#1
McKee Merica' Trader rating Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: London, Ontario	ARS MASK Piston Heads: A Warning If anyone is using ARS's MASK piston heads, I have a tale of caution for you. Specifically these ones http://www.airsoftparts.ca/store2/in...oducts_id=1773 but it is likely a problem with all of them. The sorbo pad on the piston face is glued into place. I highly recommend taking it out (it is poorly glued into place) and securing it with a better glue. Mine became detatched, stuck over the hole in the cylinder head, and created perfect compression. This caused the piston to not go forward all the way and consequently my gears nom nom nom'd my piston teeth. Its actually a very good set and provides really good compression but this problem can ruin your day. This failed after less than 1000 bbs. __________________ "Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side" - Han Solo Commanding in Airsoft

November 26th, 2011, 15:09	#2
Spike Privateer Airsoft Trader rating Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Beaverbank, NS	This happened with a gun I was working on as well. Bye bye piston. __________________ I change primaries like other people change socks.

November 26th, 2011, 15:27	#3
Dynamo Harvester of Noobs' Sorrow Trader rating Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: T̆͒ͥ̓̿̅̈́̐͊̿͗̐̾̃͐ͧ&#8	nothing a little loctite super glue blue ultra gel can't prevent. __________________ Weapons Technician / Gunsmith Don't look at me, I don't know, lol ¯\(°_o)/¯.

November 26th, 2011, 15:52	#4
ThunderCactus Not Eye Safe, Pretty Boy Maximus on the field take his picture! Trader rating Join Date: Feb 2007	Same thing happened with mine after 20,000 rounds, so I custom built an air brake to fit in the hole the sorbo was in, and it kicked ass.

November 26th, 2011, 15:54	#5
m102404 Tys Trader rating Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Toronto	I've had that happen as well...more so that I tought it looked like a poor bond, so I reglued it in advance. Lousy on them...especially once a bit of grease/oil gets on it.

November 26th, 2011, 16:12	#6
HKGhost Trader rating Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Mississauga, ON	I find almost all piston head/ cylinder head with factory applied sorbothane pad always fall off. Had OP's issue with a customer's gun, but lucky nothing was damaged. Just a jam. __________________ Please email me as I'm not on ASC too often. Custom Build \| Upgrades \| Repairs \| Maintenance Contact: ghostgunwork@gmail.com / Private Message

November 26th, 2011, 16:48	#7
Amos Trader rating Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Japan	How tight are you guys putting the screw in? I install roughly 5+ of these kits a week and I've never had this happen... however, I've noticed that if you over tighten the piston head screw, the screw will protrude a little bit and push the sorbothane tablet out from the back... __________________ Custom Builds: FA3674U Krinkov G3SD6

November 26th, 2011, 19:56	#10
SuperHog Trader rating Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Toronto, Ontario	Is CA glue the permanent fix to prevent the sorbo pad from coming?

November 26th, 2011, 20:33	#12
coach aka coachster Trader rating Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: T dot	Use clear nail polish instead of loctite.

November 26th, 2011, 20:53	#13
Adamlxlx Trader rating Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Guelph	Damn I wish I would have known this before I installed it all. Time to take it apart.....again haha

November 26th, 2011, 22:36	#15
ThunderCactus Not Eye Safe, Pretty Boy Maximus on the field take his picture! Trader rating Join Date: Feb 2007	I'm curious to how you're getting away with that, it's well known that blue loctite degrades polycarbonate. I've seen it happen a few times last year, but the loctite has to be between the piston head and piston face, it weakens the plastic and fails after just a few hundred rounds. Loctite makes specific adhesives for polycarbonate, but regular super glue works really well.

ARS MASK Piston Heads: A Warning

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