Flats
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651 Posts
There... I can finally add a friggin post here...
Thanks, sniper...
on to the home made flats...
I will be working on building a Bulgarian (I think) SLR-ninety something kit which I bought from Lois at centerfire... it's the one with the thumbhole stock. Anybody know what this is? I don't have a great affinity for thumbholes, but there's just something about this one that grabs me. The kit itself is flawless, not so much as a fingerprint on it. Anyway, I have polished the carrier and bolt, and will be making a STAINLESS STEEL receiver for it. I "found" some 1.25mm stainless material that would be ideal, and have traced a TAPCO flat onto it, and rough cut it. I have no idea how well it will bend, how much abuse it will take (I'm wondering about work hardening and becoming brittle) but in my experience with stainless, I believe it might be OK. I will update this later on this week, and possibly post some pics of what I did, and how it came out, shitty or not, and relay my experience with it.
I just thought stainless would be different. how many of you out there have a stainless AK?
Leaving the barrel section black, the stainless receiver, polished carrier, polished cover, and red wood, I thought it would be kind of cool looking. The receiver would also get a polishing, I might try to "jewel" the carrier, and I will probably use stainless screws to build it.
whattya think?
Thanks, sniper...
on to the home made flats...
I will be working on building a Bulgarian (I think) SLR-ninety something kit which I bought from Lois at centerfire... it's the one with the thumbhole stock. Anybody know what this is? I don't have a great affinity for thumbholes, but there's just something about this one that grabs me. The kit itself is flawless, not so much as a fingerprint on it. Anyway, I have polished the carrier and bolt, and will be making a STAINLESS STEEL receiver for it. I "found" some 1.25mm stainless material that would be ideal, and have traced a TAPCO flat onto it, and rough cut it. I have no idea how well it will bend, how much abuse it will take (I'm wondering about work hardening and becoming brittle) but in my experience with stainless, I believe it might be OK. I will update this later on this week, and possibly post some pics of what I did, and how it came out, shitty or not, and relay my experience with it.
I just thought stainless would be different. how many of you out there have a stainless AK?
Leaving the barrel section black, the stainless receiver, polished carrier, polished cover, and red wood, I thought it would be kind of cool looking. The receiver would also get a polishing, I might try to "jewel" the carrier, and I will probably use stainless screws to build it.
whattya think?
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4,303 Posts
It really depends on the type of stainless. I have a sheet of very expensive non-magnetic stainless steel that someone on a high tech construction site gave me. I used it for making liners for folding knives but after getting into the AKs I measured it and it was exactley.40" (same as stamped AK). The problem is that some of this steel has very little carbon in it making it impossible to harden it in the traditional method. I do believe it is tough enough but I have been hesitant to try it.scubadvr said:
SKS Hunter, I think the set up you discribed would look great and different than everything else out there.
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201 Posts
sks_hunter-
Aren't those Bulgarian kits from Centerfire for milled receivers? It looks like a threaded barrel in the picture on their site.
Aren't those Bulgarian kits from Centerfire for milled receivers? It looks like a threaded barrel in the picture on their site.
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651 Posts
yes, but the barrel is press fit for a 23mm trunnion- no threads-has a barrel pin relief. just some woodwork on the buttstock to fit standard stamped trunnion... it needs to be deepened on the slot that accepts the tang. I need a trunnion and pin, and I'm all set. Nice kits, to say the least!
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Jack... I'm not sure about the hardening process... I'm under the impression that it's somewhat the same as mild steel, but am currently researching this. If I come across anything, I'll post it.
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No threads and 23 mm? Cool- They do look like nice kits.
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yes... I think alot of people have been steering clear from them seeing the word "stamped", and thinking the barrel lugs were threaded. These are gorgeous... each piece is wrapped in oilskin (oiled parchment)... individually, mind you, and they take a half hour, pocket knife, and a kitchen size trash bag to unwrap. none of the pieces have so much as a finger print on them, and the wood is super nice! completely brand spanking new, and all matching #s.
Found a nice place to purchase necessary steels to complete flats and they do deal in small orders . . . . 12 x12 inch piece of 4130 steel at .050 thickness is only 18.00 ...
http://www.onlinemetals.com/ . and they also have stainless and other -- dunno if I'd try titanium though .....
http://www.onlinemetals.com/ . and they also have stainless and other -- dunno if I'd try titanium though .....
carguy said:
Now I would expect that from a member with the name carguy :thumbup1: !!!
Nothing like taking something boring from Detroit or ***an and making it have some life, personality and above all performance. Please keep us unformed if you decide to do a build in titanium or something else "exotic". Some of us Harley guys may find it interesting :wink: Really, please do keep us updated, and don't forget the pictures if you decide to do it. :rockin: :rockin: :rockin:
I'm just a newbie here, but I've been doing a lot of shopping around. I think the link below is the same metal and a 12" x 12" piece is $4.26.
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/mepages/4130sheet.php
I got this place off of HCPOOKIE's website.
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/mepages/4130sheet.php
I got this place off of HCPOOKIE's website.
the Titanium idea has been running thru my head now for days --- it just might have to be a complete screw build though ... melting point of titanium is slightly over 3000 degrees .... seems alittle tough to weld :scared: ... guess I'm gonna have to do some more research on this -- :grumble:
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651 Posts
TITANIUM???
Christ... you guys are going Hi-Tech!
Hi-Tech *******?
LOL
Christ... you guys are going Hi-Tech!
Hi-Tech *******?
LOL
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104 Posts
The centerfire bulgarian kits are from new SLR-96 rifles that got caught in transit when the import ban went into effect. They "demilled" thumbhole stock milled sporterized neutered AKs 
. The receivers were torch cut and fubar'd pretty badly. I still have a big 25lb box of scrap metal receiver chunks around here somewhere. None of it is usable except maybe the rear tang sections.
The kits are an awesome deal. They are especially useful for anyone who owns a SA93, SLR95, or SLR96. A complete new spare parts set except receiver. They can also be made into a stamped AK with the addition of a front and rear trunion. You will have alot of difficulty getting the thumbhole stock to match up with the back end of a stamped receiver. It could be done, but would probably be easier to just get a stamped butt and PG.
Ebay is a good place to watch for titanium scraps. It as a little hit and miss to find a piece the right size and thickness, but they come up pretty often. I have bought several scraps for not much more $ than aircraft spruce charges for 4130 steel. I haven't attempted folding up a receiver yet. I think that a rainbow flame colorized titanium receiver would be the shitnz. I wonder a little bit about rails. I think you would have to rivet or screw steel rails in, wouldn't titanium be too soft for the ejector ?
Anybody with a "factory" bending jig and some experience want to try titanium? I could probably be talked into supplying enough .050" titanium to bend several receivers shells if I got a couple bent shells sent back.
s & p
. The receivers were torch cut and fubar'd pretty badly. I still have a big 25lb box of scrap metal receiver chunks around here somewhere. None of it is usable except maybe the rear tang sections.The kits are an awesome deal. They are especially useful for anyone who owns a SA93, SLR95, or SLR96. A complete new spare parts set except receiver. They can also be made into a stamped AK with the addition of a front and rear trunion. You will have alot of difficulty getting the thumbhole stock to match up with the back end of a stamped receiver. It could be done, but would probably be easier to just get a stamped butt and PG.
Ebay is a good place to watch for titanium scraps. It as a little hit and miss to find a piece the right size and thickness, but they come up pretty often. I have bought several scraps for not much more $ than aircraft spruce charges for 4130 steel. I haven't attempted folding up a receiver yet. I think that a rainbow flame colorized titanium receiver would be the shitnz. I wonder a little bit about rails. I think you would have to rivet or screw steel rails in, wouldn't titanium be too soft for the ejector ?
Anybody with a "factory" bending jig and some experience want to try titanium? I could probably be talked into supplying enough .050" titanium to bend several receivers shells if I got a couple bent shells sent back.
s & p
http://www.titaniumjoe.com/6al4v sheet.htm ... here's the guy that sells the titanium thru e-bay ...
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