ElevationLab will soon ship the the “TagVault,” a rugged, waterproof holder designed to keep your AirTag safe.
The TagVault is a two-piece AirTag holder that screws together with stainless Tox hardware, offering complete protection from bumps, scratches, and normal wear and tear. This makes it an attractive option for attaching to objects like keys and luggage.
Securing an AirTag inside will up the water-resistance of the AirTag to being completely waterproof. Should you drop your keys in a stream while hiking, for instance, it could offer more protection than a bare AirTag.
TagVault is designed to be nondescript, giving no indication that it holds an AirTag inside. This may dissuade someone from removing it and disposing of it. The manufacturer suggests clipping them on backpacks, luggage, purses, and more.
The TagVault is now available for preorder, priced at $12.95 for a single TagVault, or $29.95 for a set of three. ElevationLab will be shipping orders in June.
Stay on top of all Apple news right from your HomePod. Say, “Hey, Siri, play AppleInsider,” and you’ll get latest AppleInsider Podcast. Or ask your HomePod mini for “AppleInsider Daily” instead and you’ll hear a fast update direct from our news team. And, if you’re interested in Apple-centric home automation, say “Hey, Siri, play HomeKit Insider,” and you’ll be listening to our newest specialized podcast in moments.
A similar approach has been adopted by the (unaffiliated) Bowio Book Light, "designed and engineered by readers for readers":
The Bowio is held fast to the book by magnetic flaps on each end. And yes, it works on softcovers as well as hardcovers.
Here the unnamed designer gives you a sub-two-minute rundown of his design and production process:
The Bowio has been an absolute crowdfunding smash, clocking over $1 million with combined Kickstarter and IndieGogo campaigns. The $49 light is expected to ship by November of this year.
Nefertiti, David, Venus de Milo, the Great Buddha at Kamakura. These are just a few famous works of art that have been digitally scanned, and the files made freely available online, so anyone can download and 3D print them. Scan the World: The Open Source Museum has made some 17,000 statues, sculptures, structures and artworks available on their site.
This being an open-source operation, they do welcome you to share scans or even just your printed results:
"Scan the World is an ambitious community-built initiative whose mission is to share 3D printable sculpture and cultural artefacts using democratised 3D scanning technologies, producing an extensive ecosystem of free to download digital cultural heritage. In making culture accessible, communities are encouraged to share their scans, stories, and creations with the goal to bring tangible heritage to the masses."
The bulk of the scans are from Western sources and history, but they’ve also set up Scan the World India and Scan the World China sites that are waiting to be populated by volunteers.
For more parts and tools you might want to have for future tweaks and builds, head over to our AR-15 Parts & Tools List.
Removing Existing Handguard & Hardware
Step 1: Take Off Old Handguard
If you are starting fresh with no handguard, then skip on down to installing your handguard.
However, if you’ve already got a handguard in place that you need to swap out, start here.
Regardless of which handguard you choose, you gotta remove the old one from your AR.
You’ll need to first remove the existing handguard with a handguard removal tool.
Step 2: Separate the Upper & Lower
To make the installation process easier, go ahead and remove the lower receiver and set it aside.
From here, you can use a vise grip to clamp down on the upper receiver.
Step 3: Remove Muzzle Device, Gas Block & Barrel Nut
Continue the disassembly process by removing any existing muzzle device and hardware, gas block, and barrel nut.
You’ll need to tap out the gas tube roll pin with a #2 pin punch. From here, take a look at the front sight gas block. If it has tapered pins, you’ll need to go ahead and drive them out.
If you opt for a clamp-on style block, use a hex key to loosen the set screws.
Remove the gas tube.
Finally, remove the original barrel nut with an armorer’s wrench.
Then make sure everything is properly cleaned and degreased.
Installing a New Handguard
Step 1: Test Fit Barrel
The first steps of an install will be the foundation for success.
So, let’s start off right by test fitting your barrel into the receiver.
This may require some thermal fitting, depending on the brands you use. As such, I wait until after I test fit before degreasing.
Barrel installed.
If the barrel installs without any heat needed, remove it, and degrease the receiver threads and the barrel nut for your handguard.
I will note that wearing some sort of latex or synthetic gloves will help to prevent more oil from your skin from corrupting your work.
The use of Aeroshell is one detail that is often overlooked.
Aeroshell
First, the torque values given here are wet values, meaning they need some sort of lubrication to properly achieve those numbers.
Equally as important are fighting galvanic corrosion and making sure the barrel nut doesn’t seize over time.
Galvanic corrosion can occur when two different metals are in contact, and an electrolyte causes one to corrode in preference to the other.
Now, depending on the area of the world you are in, this may not be much of an issue; here in the Nevada desert, it isn’t a huge risk, but I’d rather be safe.
Applying Aeroshell
One further note: There is a difference between Aeroshell 33MS/Aeroshell 64 and anti-seize, such as that for ball-bearings or Permatex.
Many anti-seize agents contain graphite which is counter-intuitive to what we are trying to do here as graphite can promote galvanic corrosion.
Stick to the proper agent, as Aeroshell is readily available.
With the spine built into the URR, it allows for proper torque without much risk of damaging your barrel index pin or receiver.
Using your armorer’s wrench or a barrel nut wrench that came with your handguard, apply some torque, back it off to loosen, and repeat this a few times to season the threads.
Torquing barrel nut
After three to five low torque value tightenings, you will hand tighten the barrel nut.
Using a torque wrench, tighten to your final value. This can range from 30- to 80-foot-pounds of torque depending on the barrel nut.
Pro tip: Read the instructions from the manufacturer on the appropriate torque value.
Step 4: Install Gas Block
With your barrel nut properly greased and torqued, the next step is installing your gas block and then your handguard.
Again, there are some small details here that often get missed. They can make a huge difference in the final product.
Reinstall your gas block and make sure to check its alignment.
The only exception to using thread locker that I have come across is installing the Centurion Arms CMR rails — which I highly recommend.
Installation instructions specifically note that the use of thread locker on mounting screws for this rail will void the warranty. So, again, always read manufacturer instructions before you install.
Using an appropriate thread locker on the mounting screws, you’ll want to install them snug but not torqued down in a criss-cross pattern.
As you install the screws, check to make sure the position of the top rails has not shifted and things still line up.
Proper mounting hardware
Once all the screws are in and hand snug, you’ll begin the process of torquing them down in the same pattern — still checking the top rail alignment has not shifted.
The torque value on these screws can vary but usually falls somewhere in the 25- to 45-inch-pounds of torque.
I feel like I’ve said this before, but…read the manufacturer’s installation instructions for proper values.
In some cases — such as the Centurion CMR or the Dirty Bird Industries SMRS — there will not be an alternating pattern to the screws but rather a few on the bottom.
So, make sure you know which screws should be tightened down first and to what torque value.
Step 7: Install Muzzle Device & Accessories
With the handguard attached and the mounting hardware torqued down, the only things left are to install the muzzle device and any attachments you desire.
Timing a muzzle device is something that is better suited for another article. But the main point to monitor would be to degrease the barrel thread and muzzle device threads before applying Rocksett. Then torque to manufacturer specifications.
Needs some recs on the best muzzle brakes? Read our article here!
When installing accessories, have a rough idea of where you want things like foregrips, flashlights, and slight attachment points to go.
Planning out locations before you start installing things ensures they don’t interfere with components under the rail.
I’m here to tell you that size does matter in some cases. People frequently try to install foregrips but end up hitting the gas block with mounting screws.
Sometimes small location changes are required.
Strike Industries Curved Foregrip.
After your components are attached, and thread locker has cured, you are done!
All that’s left to do is toss the lower receiver and upper receiver back together.
Conclusion
Installing a handguard doesn’t have to be a scary process. Using the steps above, you can easily add a handguard to your AR build.
Have fun!
Good luck and have fun with your AR build!
As always, feel free to drop questions in the comments sections. Need handguard recommendations? Head over to the Best AR-15 Handguards and for more on AR builds, check out our list of the Best Upgrades to outfit your AR build!