When I purchased the bar stock, didn't have a tape measure, only a pocket rule. I had guessed the bar to be 24" Turns out to be 29" which is better. The holes in the bar, after cutting in half wouldn't let the bars line up end to end. But that's not a problem. One just sticks out a bit from the other.
Now to bolt it all together, which was easy enough as I have a nine lb. bag of various stainless socket head bolts I'd picked up at the scrap yard a while back for $6.
Glory be, got my jig ready, flat bolted down, would go out to the shop and try it, but it's cold and wet today, so i'm just going explore 'gunco' as now I have my 10 required post to look at the pics! Kind of like turning sixteen and being allowed into the back racks at the old news stand!
I suggest using 2 inch steel angle that is 1/4 inch thick for the frame of the bend jig. The end bolts also need more beef. Here should be two 3/8 inch bolts per end to further enhance stiffness. Bolts with all thread and 3 nuts each will allow adjustment of the jig opening.
The original design will flex and ruin your flats big time unless that jig is clamped with numerous large C-clamps and even pinched in a large vise.
To help "guide" the flat into the jig some 1 ¼ x 1/2 inch bar stock is useful. The economy of the cheaper materials for the jig is instantly lost with the first ruined flat.
Mine is a little more labor intensive than a store bought jig, but it has bent I dare say close to 50 flats, and I've only had one that didn't come out right, and that was my fault by not wiping it down before bolting inbetween the inner die halves. The flat slid about 1/4" to one side when pressing. The rest turned out virtually perfect.
Great Thread! Sorry to ask this, but can someone post the link to a printable template for a 74? I was lurking here a few weeks ago and thought I saw one, but I'm not having any luck finding it... I've got a pre-bent receiver Going to need some help! Hahaha.
Ok I am reviving this thread because what I am looking for is on page 1 and thought the new guys could use to read this
I went through all 26 pages and I am not in it but I was a member then, then it occurred to me I never used flats so it was redundant for me
but I need this design to make a box receiver for a Ar-180 style rifle I think this will work with modifications
thanks to grasshopper where ever he may be and to all the past members who contributed to this thread some have sadly passed away
when gunco was gunco
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