[sniper69]

This was posted on another board and I asked 555th via email if it was okay to post here. Figured you all would want to see this too.

Here is what was posted:
"I built a flat bending jig last night and bent up 3 tapco reciever flats. [edit for item about pictures that didn't pertain to this board]...I basically made the jig to the dimensions of the inside of a reciever, made in 4 pieces so you can get it out of the reciever after the bends are made , bolted a flat piece of metal underneath to hold the mag well and and bent away. for the top rails, I heated them with a torch while it was still in the jig and tapped them over with a hammer and then quinched the in water to get the hardness. I've been thinking of how to make a good jig and I think this one will do great, I'll try to improve it by making the rail bends first with another jig instead of having to use a torch."

"The "block" is in 4 pieces 2 1/4" pieces on the sides and 2 3/8" pieces in the center, which add up to 1.25" . The 1/4" side pieces have cut-out for the dimples and the center 3/8" pieces have cout-out for the magwell lip.. The front of the block is 1.15" and the rear id 1.60" and is 10.25" long. with tabs on the ends to hold them together. bolts go through the center of the 2 3/8" plates to attach the bottom plate under the flat. This keeps the magwell from pulling out during the bend. After the bend just unbolt it and slide the 2 center pieces out and the 2 sides will be able to come off of the dimples. It does a neat job."

 

[Rule .308]

I had to scratch my head for a few to put all of the puzzle pieces together on that one but it looks as if it worked quite well. I like how he made a sandwhich out of the flat plates to work around the various dimples and mag well lips. I also like the form he made, I have all of the same pieces cut and waiting for me to weld up at home. Good to see that it is going to work.

 

[Grendeljaeger]

Really nice work!!! I love to see what gun loving ingenuity cooks up! I'm also glad that these same talented folks don't mind sharing with us mechanically challenged folks! sniper69 If he doesn't read this board (which he should, he'd fit right in!) tell him thanks for us!!!

 

[sniper69]

Really nice work!!! I love to see what gun loving ingenuity cooks up! I'm also glad that these same talented folks don't mind sharing with us mechanically challenged folks! sniper69 If he doesn't read this board (which he should, he'd fit right in!) tell him thanks for us!!!

555th is a member here at gunco too. Also I will try to post the scan that 555th done and sent of the dimensions etc for the jig pieces. I think he is working on a new style that is 3 piece instead of 4 piece in the center.

 

[sniper69]

Here are the dimensions.

 

[555th]

Thanks for posting Sniper69,
I would have posted this here myself, but I've built another Jig that will bend the top rails with out using a hammer. I'll post about it here when I get it tested with a flat. It's basically the same idea, but uses a top plate, similar to the bottum plate to fold the top rails over. The Jig pictured worked good. All internal measurements were right on and all of the holes lined up.
555th

 

[mike26038]

Man I wish I could make something like that.. I have all the tools, just no patience...

555th you could make a bundle selling those...hint hint...

 

[justashooter]

looks vaguely familiar

seem to remember doing this in january.

nice work, 555. go to it.

 

[yosuthnmasa]

I can't really figure out how the whole thing works!

 

[sniper69]

looks vaguely familiar

seem to remember doing this in january.

nice work, 555. go to it.

justashooter, does look similar, I am part way through bending a receiver now from the jig I got from you. Only difference between yours and 555th's jig is he uses a press. Either way as long as the results are the same ...

 

[erikk]

Are these jigs going to be for sale? I sure would love to have a jig to bend flats but lack the mechanical skills to build one

 

[Cammer]

Are these jigs going to be for sale? I sure would love to have a jig to bend flats but lack the mechanical skills to build one

I second that request! These would be really nice. You sure could sell a bundle of them. :headspin:

 

[sniper69]

here is an up close pic of one of 555th's successful flat bends.

 

[Cammer]

Quit teasin' us like that! Any chance he, or someone with ability, could make up an extra couple of those jigs? I know of at least one guy who'd buy it! :biggrin:

 

[sniper69]

Quit teasin' us like that! Any chance he, or someone with ability, could make up an extra couple of those jigs? I know of at least one guy who'd buy it! :biggrin:

Teasing??? Not me, I am still working on bending a flat in my spare time (and my daily schedule doesn't allow as much time as I would prefer). It is just, that it makes for a proud moment to know the flats can be bent into a receiver, and if 555th's work or someone elses work inspires us to try the same thing then that is a positive thing, IMHO. As for getting a jig made - I can't say for sure but if you pm or email 555th, maybe you could work out some kind of deal. At least it would be worth a try.

 

[Cammer]

It is just, that it makes for a proud moment to know the flats can be bent into a receiver, and if 555th's work or someone elses work inspires us to try the same thing then that is a positive thing, IMHO.

Yes it definitely is a positive thing. It makes a guy feel good to see something like that come out of a workshop. I really had doubts that it could be done accurately and consistently, but I'm happy to see that 555th has done it. I'll see if I can get a hold of him about making up an extra jig.

Thanks for putting the info up for us to see it Sniper69. It has given me a new direction.
:cheers:

 

[555th]

justashooter,
I thought my idea was original, could you post a pic of your setup. I built a diffrerent Jig with the middle section made of 3/4" keystock and that did a better job. It put more pressure on the corners instead of across the whole bottum. I also made it with a top plate to fold the top rails in, but thats gonna need some more work. The flat I bent with the newer Jig turned out perfect.

 

[555th]

I'm not really set up to mass produce these Jigs. That's why I've posted the print and have answered any Question about it's dimensions. There was another guy that was making a Jig for sale that I thought wouldn't work.I think he screwed a few people as well. So I set out to build a better one and make the plans free for any that could build it theirselves. There are a couple guys on gunsnet that I said I would build one for and I could probably build a couple for the guys on this board. May be If one member got one they could bend all of their flats and pass it on to the next member?? There is a group buy at gunsnet.net for tapco flats w/ rails for @ $15. I plan on bending enough flats to do me for several years of building and then I'll even pass my Jig along to someone else.
555th

 

[sniper69]

555th,
I took some pics this morning of the jig I got from justashooter. As for the similarities it is the fact that there is a sandwich of the flat between two pieces and then a three piece center section. This jig doesn't use a press but rather a BFH (big f***in hammer)(I am using a 3 lb hammer) and a t shaped bucking bar. Also your set up bolts differently. The results of a finished receiver from a flat are the same goal (which to me is the main thing). It is interesting how different people come up with totally different yet vaguely similar ideas. Also Justashooter emailed out a pdf file about the jig to those that requested it that helps explain the jig and how to make one. Anyway enough of me rambling here are the pics.

Also here is the original thread from justashooter bending an AK flat that was posted at the falfiles.

 

[arizona_sas]

ak flat jig

I would definitely be interested in purchasing an ak flat jig. email [email protected] Thanks:machinegu :machinegu :machinegu

I'm not really set up to mass produce these Jigs. That's why I've posted the print and have answered any Question about it's dimensions. There was another guy that was making a Jig for sale that I thought wouldn't work.I think he screwed a few people as well. So I set out to build a better one and make the plans free for any that could build it theirselves. There are a couple guys on gunsnet that I said I would build one for and I could probably build a couple for the guys on this board. May be If one member got one they could bend all of their flats and pass it on to the next member?? There is a group buy at gunsnet.net for tapco flats w/ rails for @ $15. I plan on bending enough flats to do me for several years of building and then I'll even pass my Jig along to someone else.
555th