Moderator Alignment

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 Let’s face it nothing is perfect. And that applies to threaded on  air gun moderator parts as well. 

The Cyclonetics Line of low cost moderators uses a one piece, threaded,  aluminum inner core that is covered by a composite tube and held together with plastic end rings.   The designs main goal is to provide function at a minimal price.

The integral 1/2-20 UN 2B mounting thread , by design, allows a little bit of clearance and play in order for the thread to work.  And this combined with the variations in the mating  threaded parts will result in a good number of assemblies to be out of alignment enough to affect performance and accuracy.   To be able to address this issue when it should arise , a solution has been developed using a low cost simple aluminum ring.

This ring , or more accurately, “Spacer” is placed at the bottom of the internal thread on the moderator prior to threading it onto a  thread adaptor or threaded nose barrel band.  It should form a small gap between the moderator and the adaptor when threaded on tight.  

Check alignment by opening the breach on the air gun and leave it open.  Using a light source thru the breach, sight down the muzzle of the assembled moderator and look for misalignment.  All circular features should look concentric.  Determine if there is misalignment , take note of direction relative to the gun assembly and the degree.

How the Spacer works:

Normally,  the moderator will thread onto the thread adaptor and will “shoulder out” and tighten with all the parts in line and straight.

But should it not because of thread misalignment or any other factor it will be required to use the Alignment / Clocking Spacer to address this issue.

If all you want to do is rotate the Moderator around the axis to a specific position when tightened:  Sand the spacer down in thickness a few mils at a time, keeping it parallel , test fitting  until you reach  the desired rotation. Maintain a small gap between parts.

If the moderator is out of alignment:  The solution is to sand or file a slight angle on one face of the spacer.  So that the two faces are no longer parallel to each other. ( 0.5-1.0 degree) for first try then reassemble following these steps.  Prior to starting you should have determined which direction you want to “tilt” your moderator.