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flats, bents, & 100%'s OH MY!

40K views 62 replies 35 participants last post by  hvymax 
#1 ·
This is like picking what way to fish! I want to go the least expensive way, the one that requires most all the tools to be "normal" household equipment, and the one that does not take a college engineering degree! Do they have a true "Easy as 1, 2, and 3" way to build?
 
#2 ·
For the money if you are doing only one build, and tools are limited buying a 100 percent reciver is the way to go. I build my own from blanks but I build a lot and have a full blown shop. If you want to do 4 or 5 builds then you might want to invest in some tooling like a jig and rivet tols. DO a search here as this stuf has been coverd a lot. spending $50 -$75 =ffl sounds a little pricey but if you count the flat and the center support cost say $20-$25 for a premium flat saving $35 -$50 does not seem so bad especialy if you value your time. using a 100% reciver will most likle result in a lot better fist build as well. + it can be sold to some one if it was built for personal use only through a dealer. you can then use that reciver as one to copy if yopu decide to build more.
 
#3 ·
1BG, pretty well summed it up.
If you're only going to build one (yeah right, how many of us said that in the beginning) then go with a 100% receiver.
If you're going off the deep end (like most of us ended up doing) start tooling up and roll your own.
 
#4 ·
If you don't have a drill press, taps, tap handle, drill bits, a complete screw set, a grinder to use to demill kit,and verious hand tools, i would save up and buy a new AK, mags, ammo. You might be ahead. But as 762x39 has stated, most of us have gone of the deep end, and can't or won't stop buying and building AKs. Very rewarding, but can be a very expensive hobby. Best of luck pinball, welcome to GUNCO.
 
#6 ·
chrry said:
If you don't have a drill press, taps, tap handle, drill bits, a complete screw set, a grinder to use to demill kit,and verious hand tools, i would save up and buy a new AK, mags, ammo.
I have a small bench mounted drill press, tap set (el chinko from Harber Fake, but it gets the job done for as much as I need a tap or die) drill bits are only a few isles over from the milk in the department store, so that is not an issue with me, I have seen the screw sets on Gun Broker for like $11 and know that is high for a few screws, but what the hay (if I had to, I am sure Home Depot would be able to come to the rescue, if not the local hardware... I think) I don't have a grinder, but I do have a Dremel and think you can get all kinds of grinding things for that. I think I may have the hand tools as well, I do have a small shop that I piddle around in making things. I play with my firearms that I have a lot (breaking down to clean and even a few minor repairs) and have picked up some gunsmithing things like the screw drivers, hammers, punch set and the such. I am no expert but this looks like it could be fun.

I was going to buy an AK, but the wife saw the $350 tag and kinda gave me that look (you know the look) I know building is a bit more cost, but the packages can show up in the mail and I can get away with them being xmass gifts (so I don't have to say what's inside) right now, and it would not be a lie... it is a gift for me!
 
#7 ·
Pinball,


I was going to buy an AK, but the wife saw the $350 tag and kinda gave me that look (you know the look) I know building is a bit more cost, but the packages can show up in the mail and I can get away with them being xmass gifts (so I don't have to say what's inside) right now, and it would not be a lie... it is a gift for me!

Here is an angle that I will use on the wife (engaged once we are married)
that we have discussed and shes' cool with it. If I spend (x amount ) on my hobby she gets (x amount ) to spend in what ever way she fancies w/o complaint on my part (like shoes or girly stuff (impractical decorations ect)) I do how ever get to roll my eyes so I think that is a fair deal
 
#8 ·
A screw build on a 100% is going to be your easiest build. Cheapest is going to be from a flat but that requires expensive tooling. OTOH, once you have bent enough flats to last you a while, resale of the tooling will be easy. You might ask around and see if anybody close to you already has the tooling, most builders are willing to help out a fellow enthusiast.


Forget the Chinese taps, they will break long before you have one hole tapped. Splurge and pay the $5-6 for a good tap. Or two.

The screws we use are button head cap screws in grade 8, pretty much most hardware stores will not have them in stock. You can order them from places like Mcmaster-Carr. Fastenal usually stocks them. In boxes of 100, which will run you about $10 from Fastenal. Two sizes normally used, so $20 or so will get you enough for many builds.


Several people sell the screw sets here in the marketplace and on the other various boards, I think you can do better than $11. The tapped triggerguard retainer plates are worth the $$, keeps you from having to mess with grinding nuts to fit and manuevering them into place.

Sounds like you already have most of the tools needed for a screw build, other than perhaps the specific size taps and drills you will need. If you don't have one, a large vise comes in handy.
 
#9 ·
Not to digress here, but I don't understand why we don't put a sticky somewhere on this website that discusses this exact type of thread. We have at least a few people a week either asking this exact question, or are thinking it and don't feel like asking. If I have the time in the next week or so maybe I'll see about putting something like this together. What do you guys think?
 
#10 ·
I am all for the sticky, it would have made this new fish have a better day to start!

I do have a 4" vice, it was cheap but it has worked for years

I was looking to do a build first for the cost issue, but I see that it tends to run more than just getting one off the shelf (but you do get to set the line for what goes on the firearm VS. just getting what they give you and to me that is worth part of the cost)

I am looking to ease into this craft, is this the best firearm platform to start with or should I be looking at others? I have no issue with investing in some tooling, I guess my biggest issue would be with use for other buids or projects.
 
#12 ·
Add a barrel pin removal methods sticky under it.

As far as easing into it the worst that can happen is you fail and F!@K up a $90 pile of parts. most guys can do that trying to fix the kitchen sink. read all the stickys and build coverage you can find. If you have no knowledge of the AK try to get a look at one assembled and maybe ask if they can feild strip it so you at least see how it is susposed to look and work. I remember the first kit I bought I had never even held a AK, there was no info on the net. I stared at the FGC and small parts for a few days. Do a screw build even on a 100% reciver, I have not used the trigger guard plates for sale (always made my own) but I plan on using them from now on as my free time is getting scarce. Ace or true value should have 10-32 screws for the trunion. I cut them down buy drilling and taping a 10-32 hole in a piece of flat bar I screw the screws through the hole and trim of with a die grinder the threads are cleaned up when the screw it removed through the hole
I would not rule out buying a already built AK you can always sell it. gun values very seldom go down. you can add what ever stock or add ons to it latter if you want. most guys build for the fun of it, not nessacrly the cost savings. I build as I like to customize them changing caliburs and making them hunting friendly. If it is not fun why do it saving 35-40 dollars is not worth the trouble.IMOA
 
#15 ·
eubanks said:
pinball,

You might ask around. There might be a builder in your area that can show you a bit and explain the required tools. Where do you live?
+1 I did a lot of research here on the forums before my first build, but having a friend who had done several builds already really helped. He had all the tools and the experience. That was definitely the way to go for the first build. Now I have the confidence to do it on my own (if I ever get the tools). ;)
 
#16 ·
pinball said:
This is like picking what way to fish! I want to go the least expensive way, the one that requires most all the tools to be "normal" household equipment, and the one that does not take a college engineering degree! Do they have a true "Easy as 1, 2, and 3" way to build?
I could have bought a complete AK already built for what it cost me to build my first. But I enjoied building it. Kept me out of trouble
 
#19 ·
Quick Question:

I'm about to purchase some flats and a flat-bending jig from AK-Builder to use in my 20-ton shop press. Going to be building some Romanian kits - both side-folder and standard stock.

Prior to me making this purchase is there any other flat-bending jig that anyone would recommend? Or flats?

Also, I'm going to purchase some riveting tools. For this purchase I was going to go with Plinker's tools (in the classified section on this forum) based on the unsolicited positive feedback he has received ... and the CD that is included with the purchase.

In summary, would anyone recommend anything different than:

AK-Builder flats

AK-Builder flat-bending jig

Plinker's Riveting Tools

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
 
#21 ·
One nice thing about top quality tools like you mention is that if you ever decide that you are done with them, you wil have no trouble selling & getting your money back. You might even turn a profit if the vendors are backordered.
 
#22 ·
I was also about to start my own thread asking about the easiest way to build an AK from parts kits. I live in CA is this even an option for me to buy a 100% reciever here?
If not I have family one state over in NV. I can always go stay with them for awhile. I know they dont have any trouble with owning , building , buying , ect anything to do with the AK and its variants.
 
#24 ·
Yeah thats a cool pump action version. But would you, could you, handle only owning that bastardized variant of a truely brilliant semi-or even full automatic ak47? instead of just moving over to gun friendly nevada and bypassing the socialists attempt to keep my clip underfull and hard to aim by pumping the action every shot?

I cant... reno here i come...
 
#26 ·
Im in the middle of doing my first build, I knew and know nothing about ak's and how to build them. I picked up a yugo parts kit, already disassembled and sandblasted, which at first I thought may make it harder to do, but know im really happy it was taken apart and sandblasted. There are so many how to build sites it was really easy to find out how to do it, and with limited tools the disassembly was one of the things im glad I didnt have to do.

I also found a prebent and pre welded rails with template stuck on the receiver from Red Hot Gun Deals!!! which will really help me out, in building the receiver. Im doing a screw build since I have no idea what im doing, then plan on doing another in rivets, and then redoing my screw into rivets later. Im just waiting on some critical parts to show up, but im half way done.

Im really excited to get this finished, and will post pics in the future. Looks like total cost of the whole build including new tools bought will be around $700. Its always fun buying new tools.
 
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