How hard is it to build using just a flat. I have seen them with groves cut in them so you dont have need a jig. Are these good to use or no? Should i go with the ones with cuts in them or not? Is there anyone that has done a build using this method that could put in some input.      And where do the rails go? Any information would be great, because i want to start a build after seeing all the different Ak's that have been built.

With cuts

or

without cuts

And how can i post pics?

The flats that you bend by hand (laser cut) need to be welded.

You can buy a 80% prebent receiver and drill you own holes (fcg, safety, mag well, etc..)

Flats you bend have all the holes drilled in them, but you need a flat jig & press.

Hope that helps,
WW

dont roll your own flat if this is your first build. it really isnt worth the money you could possibly save by doing it, which is considering you dont ruin the flat the first time which you most likely will (i did and i think most people do). id say go for a 100% first, or if you really wanna do some metal working, one of the 80% pre-bent blanks.

but if you insist on building from a flat:
www.surplusrifle.com/shooting2005/souptonuts1/index.asp

Quoted: but if you insist on building from a flat: www.surplusrifle.com/shooting2005/souptonuts1/index.asp

I agree 100%.  I printed off the soup to nuts (along with a few other) guides, madea binder and used it a million times for reference while building.

caspian

if building from a flat, and you dont have a jig, use a dremel a body hammer and an anvil or vise.
otherwise a dremel and drill press for a prebend. Either way its pretty hard to mess either one up, even on your first one. Just dont rush, check out this site it is very helpful for a prebend. http://www.geocities.com/akbuilds just dont hit it up more then once an hour, there are a shit ton of pics and the xfer rate is small so save it to disk if you know how.

If money is not a concern in the build, I would recommend the flat. I was apprehensive at first but have built several AK's on Tapco flats. I am just finishing up a build of Bulgarian sidefolder (ORF kit) on a Tapco flat and it went together just as easy as my other builds. I have built several kits on Ewbanks receivers (fairly easy builds) but still consider the flat build much easier. I bought and modified my pulley puller, spot welder and bolt cutters for the build and borrowed a friend's DPH bending jig. I am still ahead financially because I have bent 10 receivers so far and it would have cost more to purchase 100% receivers.

I will probably bend/spot weld another 10 recievers before I am done.

thanks,
Ron

Quoted: if building from a flat, and you dont have a jig, use a dremel a body hammer and an anvil or vise...

Good luck with that.

I dont have a welder, but i know a weld shop nearby, how hard would it be for them to get the rails welded on exactly right?

Quoted: I dont have a welder, but i know a weld shop nearby, how hard would it be for them to get the rails welded on exactly right?

shouldn't be too hard. The center support pin holds them in place. You just have to make sure that line up with the front trunion so the bolt carrier runs smoothly.

thanks,
Ron