I recently ordered some parts from Necky Zips and when I received the package, he had included a free set of his compression lug bars (Thanks Necky!). I immediately decided that I wanted to use them on my current Silix 6154 build, so I started searching the forums for how to install these things. Unfortunately, there wasn't much out information out there. I have figured some stuff out since then and I just wanted to share...
The picture below shows one of Necky's lug bars and tubes. It is basically a solid rod measuring 1.57mm (1/16 inch) inside a thick strap tube. The tube has been staked (or dimpled) to produce resistance for the lug bar/rod so it doesn't slide around. I found a 1/16 drill bit and taped up my Silix case (perhaps too much
). I found some brass rods that I had in the house that were also 1/16 (1.57mm).
The Silix case was super easy to drill out. The lugs tooks only about 5-10 seconds of drilling each and I was through. I also tried to ream them a little with the bit so I didn't have a great deal of resistance when installing the lug bars. This was so easy that I thought I would go ahead and drill out the Jackson cases I had as well. It turns out that those cases are MUCH more difficult to drill out. Even at a low speed I immediately broke my 1/16 bit, so I bought two more cheap ones locally. I broke those as well on the first Jackson case, so I then bought three of the most expensive titantium coated super duper best ones that I could find at a hardware store. They worked but it was still very slow going.
Once I had the first Jackson case drilled out, I decided to try and make my own lug bars out of the brass tube that I had on hand (since I only had one set from Necky). I cut them a little long and rounded off the ends, and staked a set of 26mm strap tubes that I had from Panatime. Here are those:
After trying them in my case, I quickly realized that brass didn't look as awesome as I imagined. I went back to the hobby shop (Hobbytown USA) where I purchased the brass rods and found some 1/16 inch steel rods and a brass tube that would work nicely as a strap tube. Below is a picture of each and the prices for 1 yard of brass tube and 3 yards of steel rod.
I cut a piece of each to the length I wanted. I again rounded off the extra bit of rod the would protrude from the case (not going for a gen look!) and smoothed the edge of my new brass strap tube.
I then staked the tube with a punch so the lug bar won't slide around when it's on the wrist:
Here is how they looked installed:
A 1/16 inch (1.57mm) bar doesn't quite fill the larger hole on the crown side, but I still like them better than screws:
Anyway, I hope this helps another member install these bars. Additionally, if you have a good hobby store nearby you can make your own lug bars and tubes very inexpensively.
The picture below shows one of Necky's lug bars and tubes. It is basically a solid rod measuring 1.57mm (1/16 inch) inside a thick strap tube. The tube has been staked (or dimpled) to produce resistance for the lug bar/rod so it doesn't slide around. I found a 1/16 drill bit and taped up my Silix case (perhaps too much
). I found some brass rods that I had in the house that were also 1/16 (1.57mm).
The Silix case was super easy to drill out. The lugs tooks only about 5-10 seconds of drilling each and I was through. I also tried to ream them a little with the bit so I didn't have a great deal of resistance when installing the lug bars. This was so easy that I thought I would go ahead and drill out the Jackson cases I had as well. It turns out that those cases are MUCH more difficult to drill out. Even at a low speed I immediately broke my 1/16 bit, so I bought two more cheap ones locally. I broke those as well on the first Jackson case, so I then bought three of the most expensive titantium coated super duper best ones that I could find at a hardware store. They worked but it was still very slow going.
Once I had the first Jackson case drilled out, I decided to try and make my own lug bars out of the brass tube that I had on hand (since I only had one set from Necky). I cut them a little long and rounded off the ends, and staked a set of 26mm strap tubes that I had from Panatime. Here are those:
After trying them in my case, I quickly realized that brass didn't look as awesome as I imagined. I went back to the hobby shop (Hobbytown USA) where I purchased the brass rods and found some 1/16 inch steel rods and a brass tube that would work nicely as a strap tube. Below is a picture of each and the prices for 1 yard of brass tube and 3 yards of steel rod.
I cut a piece of each to the length I wanted. I again rounded off the extra bit of rod the would protrude from the case (not going for a gen look!) and smoothed the edge of my new brass strap tube.
I then staked the tube with a punch so the lug bar won't slide around when it's on the wrist:
Here is how they looked installed:
A 1/16 inch (1.57mm) bar doesn't quite fill the larger hole on the crown side, but I still like them better than screws:
Anyway, I hope this helps another member install these bars. Additionally, if you have a good hobby store nearby you can make your own lug bars and tubes very inexpensively.
