Posted: 6/21/2006 1:11:29 PM EDT
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I'm new here and am wondering if there are any AK builders out there? I live in Marion and am thinking about doing a couple builds. I've never done one before and am new to the AK. Tedd |
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I'm definitely up for it. As I stated though, I'm new to all this. I've got somewhat of a handle of the overall process but I've never done it and I don't have most of the more uncommon tools like a press, jig, etchinking.gif Does anyone have any of these for a build party? If not, what other options would there be? Group buy the tools if there are enough people to offset the cost? |
Sounds good. As far as location goes, I live in Marion which is sudo north but I live in a small apartment. As far as tools, I don't have many but will definitely purchase some. I don't have any experience but I've got a tutorial CD on the way that some say is the best tutorial available for a build. I got it from a guy on gunco.net. I guess what we really need is to figure out who can host it and an itemized list of tools that will be required and who has them. Besides the three of us is there anyone else wanting to join? |
| I 95% built a copy of the Plinker's Rivet Jig (I just have to finish the main 1 1/2" bar), except I bolted the Jig together. I'm a Tool/Diemaker and I can't see welding together a part that is supposed to aline top and bottom holes to such a tight dimension. Anywho, once I get some extra time to finish the jig I'd be up for a group build. I sold the '74 parts kits I had (I decided not to go for 5.45), so I'll have to buy some more 47 kits. I also currently live in a apartment, in Indy, so I can't help with a location. |
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Hmm, I might be up for this. I don't have a kit or anything yet though. If I bought a kit, would I be better off buying a flat (if so, which one?) or a completed receiver. Since we are talking jigs and welders it sounds like I'd be fine getting a flat. Any suggestions on what kits to get? A couple summers ago I was wanting an amd65 kit (back when they were $100 for a nice one), but they are WAY out of my price range now. I was wanting to make a pistol of one. Anyway, I am in NW IN, but I'd be up for anything within a couple hundred miles of me if it is on a saturday or sunday. What else would be needed? Rivets? If so, would somebody have a bunch there where I could just buy it from them? This sounds like it could be fun, and it'd get me into the AK world. Right now closest I am is an sks. I've been wanting an AK for a few years now. ETA: What about heat treating? I've seen full receivers that have been heat treated, but what would we do about that? Anything? |
I wondered the same thing and it sounds like going with a flat would be the way to go(cheaper and never registered). Since the best way to go is a flat, I'm going with a 100%he
Someone else can probably answer this better than I can but it looks like the cheapest kits are the Romanians. I've got a Rommy G kit and have a Rommy underfolder on the way. I wanted the Romanians though. I have this strange fascination with the front pistol grip.h=85% Quoted: What else would be needed? Rivets? If so, would somebody have a bunch there where I could just buy it from them? This sounds like it could be fun, and it'd get me into the AK world. Right now closest I am is an sks. I've been wanting an AK for a few years now. I wonder the same thing. If no one has any in bulk that will be attending we may be able to get a discount if multiple rivet kits are ordered somewhere. I only have an sks at the moment as well. Can't wait to get an AK.
From what I've read I don't think that will be a problem. All that's really needed is a standard shop torch of some kind to treat the high wear areas. Has anyone heat treated the entire receiver without it warping? |
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OK, it looks like there is enough interest. Does anyone have an update on a location? It looks like a lot of the tools may be accounted for. Do any of the more experienced have a list of tools that may make it easier? If needed I can throw up a web page with all the participants and a list of tools that are accounted for or needed. |
| Ooh, if this goes I think I'd like to participate. (If I can come up with the $$ for a kit) BTW, I am a total noob with building AK's. What does everybody use. 100% receivers or they start with just a flat and build from there (hence the whole idea behind a build party) Just didn't know what I'd need besides a kit & complianace parts. |
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Your main tasks are: Remove rivets: can be down with a drill press or even a hand drill, then a set of punches and a hammer are useful. I recommend redundant punches as I've broken all of mine now except for the huge one. I think some people use just a press for this and press the rivet all the way out. On my two, I drilled them to relieve the pressure then punched out. Remove barrel pin: Hammer and punch on a solid surface or a press. Remove barrel: you can do with this with a press or with a hammer and a vise. Either way you need something to put on the face of the barrel to protect it. Brass bar is good. Drill receiver for rivets: Drill/drill press, quality bits. Rivet: You have three different places you need rivets: around the trigger guard, the rear tang, and the front trunnion. Each is riveted a bit differently due to access and length of the rivet. Bolt cutter rivet tool, air rivet gun, trigger guard jig, press are possible tools. Put the barrel back in: vise, brass bar, hammer. Press if you have one I think. Replace barrel pin: Hammer and punch. Good idea to have a Dremel and various bits on hand. Have some spare rivets also, sometimes they just go wrong. Don't buy the Tapco rivets...unless they've changed them. If you're going to start with a flat and make it into a receiver, then there are other things required. I've never done it. I used Global Trades receivers for mine which are hard on drill bits. 
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| A bought a Romy G kit and a Romy sidefolder. I already have all the compliance parts and whatnot laying around too. I'll going to order some steel to finish the main shaft of the plinker's jig and then I'll post some pics up for you all to enjoy. Can't wait to get this going! |
bluenuts, i've built several of both and the ak's are alot different, dare i say some skill & knowhow required. but tooling and having some sort of guide or guidence would make it much easier. i looked at it like this, if a bunch of uneducated third world guy's can squat down and carve them from railroad rails and such, with all the resources avalible to us here it can't be to hard.
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LMAO 
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Ok well I'd be willing to purchase a kit but need someone's help in directing me what to buy. If there is someone experienced in this field that could help, leave give me your email or AIM SN where you can be reached. Also, is there a date for the build party yet? Thanks |
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If you guys are going to do this in the Indy area, I'd be interested in at least coming and watching... I don't have any kits or anything yet, but could get them shortly if needed. It sounds like there are already lots of people with parts that are ready to build, so if I could just come watch that would be great. Oh, a coworker of mine has a rivet squeezing tool made from harbor freight bolt cutters, could probably barrow it and bring with (if needed). |
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Well I'm definately up for it, I've ordered over half the parts. It seems though that the interest for the build party may have died down a little, most of the talk about doing one was almost a month ago. So who all is still interested? And is this a full build we're talking about where we'd be bending the receiver? Because to be honest I was planning on getting a reciever that was already shaped. We still need a location, someone with tools, and someone with experience that's done previous builds. Cliff |
| well I dont want to bend a receiver either....what are the options? Do we have to install all the internals or can you get a receiver thats ready to attach to a kit, and whats the cost difference, because I'd be willing to go for a fully complete and ready receiver thats ready to use if it didn't cost more than a receiver that Ihad to install parts in. |
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What do you mean by internals? I'm in your boat. I started the thread but I wasn't sure if anyone would go through with it. I've got 2 rommy G kits and an underfolder kit. I decided to build the 2 G kits myself. Since I have never done it before I ordered 2 100% NDS-3 economy receivers. Yes, that's right, I took the weenie way outhock.gif They were patterned off of the Romanian / Hungarian fixed stock kits. Absolutely everything is done to the receiver. All that is needed is to rivet the trigger guard and trunnions. Then assemble the rest of the parts. It may need tweaking here and there but that's it. I would still be interested in a build party. I've got my parts kits demilled except for the barrel pins and pushing out the barrel. I can't get the pins out of 2 of the kits. I now have a bolt cutter rivet tool, long rivet jig pattered off of plinkers jig, and ak-builders barrel press kit(in the mail to rid myself of the pesky barrel pins). I still need to make a trigger guard rivet jig. I have a shop to build my kits but not for a build party unfortunately. It's not my shop and the owner almost dropped a load in his pants when he found out what I was doinghe I'm going to continue trying to finish my G kits. If the build party happens, I may go ahead and build the underfolder if there are more experienced people there. If I don't end up building anything, I can still loan my tools and my limited experience if needed. I will most likely not build anymore so I will end up selling my tools so I'll let you know before I post them on EE if it gets to that point. |
This is what I'd do for my first one as well. But I'm thinking I'm going to use U-drive screws, that way I don't have to press the barrel and barrel pin out. Just drill out the old rivets and press or hammer the U-drives in. |
They were patterned off of the Romanian / Hungarian fixed stock kits. Absolutely everything is done to the receiver. All that is needed is to rivet the trigger guard and trunnions. Then assemble the rest of the parts. It may need tweaking here and there but that's it.
I can tell you that some sort of small build is DEFINATELY going to take place. A nice guy in the another thread that I created asking for help with the first build said he's got tools and a place to host a build. He's done many ak's previously with good results and has experience with metal working and can do the rivets. Here's the link to that thread http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=4&f=51&t=88330 I just need to order a few more parts and I'll be ready to build my rifle! Woot Woot! Cliff |
| I'll have to think about that. That's over a 3 hour drive for me and will offset the cost of my builds. I don't mind spending money for tools I can sell once I'm done with them but I can't recoup the money for the gas. I feel confident enough to finish my builds by myself if I have to but let me know if you guys get together. |
Well I plan on taking advantage of his offer to help with the build, since this is my first and I have no experience I'm going to take all the help I can get. I'm spending a decent amount of money with my build so I want it to come out as good as possble. The bad news is I ordered my receiver from global trades today and they said it wouldn't ship out for 2-3 weeks so it'll be that long before I'm ready. If you want me to let you know when I get something arranged drop me your cell or aim name and I'll give you a shout. Cliff |
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For you guys that are a ways out, carpool from Indy and come on down. It will be a long one day trip is the only down side. As I told cliff I am tooling up for parkerized finishes, should be ready in a two or three weeks. About the same time as he gets his receiver. I will need a ballpark count on the amount of people and color of finish, and you can chip in on the chemicals. I will be testing as soon as pans/supplies come in. |