AK Sponsor
Posted: 5/25/2012 6:27:46 AM EDT
| I am looking at rivet jigs on both ak-builder.com and gunthings. Which is the better rivet tool? Other than the one long rivet in the rear trunnion...will the $70.00 bolt cutter rivet jaws work for all other riveting duties? Front trunnion, trigger guard, two rear rivets?? Specifically will the bolt cutter jaws do the trigger guard rivets OK?? |
|
The AK-Builder tool will be top notch, no experience with the Gunthings jig. However since you're not going to go the distance with a press and all the other specific jigs I would look into a cheaper alternative, like the one seen here:
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_4_51/143470_review_of_a_new_cheaper_flat_bending_jig.html And no, the bolt cutter method will not do the trigger guard rivets. And option there is to use the AK-Builder screw plate for those: http://ak-builder.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29903 Or if you're dead set on using all rivets then you could get the Toth trigger guard jig which used a vise to do the rivets (I have one that I never used if you're interested in it): http://www.tothtool.com/product_info.php?cPath=23&products_id=32&osCsid=fe722a7d212efe7767b1c872e9d4f475 Also, his bolt cutter jaws are awesome and barrel installation jigs are awesome. I used them exclusively before I got a press and all of my jigs. |
|
There is a guy by the name AKMachinist over on the AKFiles that sells a lower cost rivet jig similar to the AK builder one. I have had one for a bit now and used it on 4 builds. No issues at all, other than it working great :) The seller was nice enough that when I bent a part due to nothing other than my stupid fault, he sent me a replacement free of charge. It was $155 shipped for it ($100 less than AK-Builder's version) and I sprung for the barrel press kit he was selling and the trigger guard jig he sells too. check out all the feedback people are giving him on the thread, its clear its a quality piece for a great price.
AKMAchinist jig thread 
|
|
Guys thank you so much for the info. I will look through all this before making a decision.
Another way I'm considering is one video I saw on youtube...a guy was using an air riveting hammer. He backed it up with small steel blocks inside so the rivet would peen down correctly, be tight and look good. I am considering this as well. I realize I will need a jig for the trigger guard to back them whether I use a vise to set or air hammer. Harbor Freight has a rivet hammer and 4 rivet sets for $100.00. |
| I have both one from Curtis and one from Guns and Things I like using the one from Guns on the long rivets it easier to use and I use Curtis on all the small ones I guess its just a matter of preference.. I also modified one from Guns and Things with a set bolt to lock down on the receiver so I form perfect heads on all my long rivets which are a hassle on all your builds the short ones I think are cake..... |
|
You can build a trigger guard rivet jig for a couple bucks worth of scrap steel. I bought one initially, but it wouldn't work for my Galil build so I ended up making one. It took about 30 min and two pieces of steel. I should have just gone that route to start with. |
AK Sponsor