[yosuthnmasa]

I've got my template all cut out and ready to be glued to my ACE blank. However, as expected, I've got extra material length on my blank. What is the best way to position the template on the blank so that everything works right. I could cut off all the material at the front, back, or on both ends. Which is the best way to do it?

 

[Co7t]

Most builders start from the front. The new ace blanks require very little metal to be removed from the front (mostly filing to square it off). Start by fitting your front end first, then once it's fitted and the front is squared off, apply the template - lining it up from the front.

The rear should be done last, and a little at a time to acquire your OAL while fitting it with your top cover. Once you're ready to fit the rear end, trim it a little oversized and begin filing down until you have your desired OAL or the top cover fit you want.

I've got my template all cut out and ready to be glued to my ACE blank. However, as expected, I've got extra material length on my blank. What is the best way to position the template on the blank so that everything works right. I could cut off all the material at the front, back, or on both ends. Which is the best way to do it?

 

[yosuthnmasa]

I was wondering why the front part of the template edges (when I held it up to the blank) was angled a bit rear ward rather than straight up and lined up with the edge of the front? Basically, I will remove what ever material up front is needed to make it look identical to the template and then work at the rear.

 

[Co7t]

Instead of removing metal to match the template lines, you may have better and more accurate results removing metal in comparison to your front end. Get it to where the trunion slides in and out and then check the alignment with your trunion and handguard in there. Then fit it with a file until the angle matches up perfectly.

I was wondering why the front part of the template edges (when I held it up to the blank) was angled a bit rear ward rather than straight up and lined up with the edge of the front? Basically, I will remove what ever material up front is needed to make it look identical to the template and then work at the rear.

 

[Winn R]

Josh-

Max's write up answers your question. There is certainly a lack of German milled precision in AK construction. If you've got the front receiver piece with the kit, measure the height and pick the front edge of the blank based on that dimension. If not, stuff the lower handguard under the trunnion and measure. In either case you need about 10.25 in. overall.

All lines are off the upper surface. Vertical lines are perpendicular with the upper edge.

 

[yosuthnmasa]

Instead of removing metal to match the template lines, you may have better and more accurate results removing metal in comparison to your front end. Get it to where the trunion slides in and out and then check the alignment with your trunion and handguard in there. Then fit it with a file until the angle matches up perfectly.

Maybe I'm a bit confused here."you may have better and more accurate results removing metal in comparison to your front end." What exactly do you mean here? Presently I can't slide my trunnion in and out because the existing rails are too wide. I haven't done anything to the blank yet. I was reading on Max's tutorial where he cut off like 1 1/4'' off the front. I also read somewhere here on Gunco where the front of the receiver should be like 1.2'' high. Mine, directly from ACE is about 1.3'' high. I read a while back where some people got a bad batch of ACE's blanks and had to send them back. The one's I got were part of the last group buy.

So, don't go buy the edges of the template? I'm up for what ever is the easiest by all means...might take me a while to understand though.

 

[Co7t]

The new blanks don't require much trimming of the front - as a matter of fact, a file may do the trick. Here it is again, broken down:

Starting with the front:
1. Trim the top rails so the front trunion can slide in.
2. Grab a file and square the front off to the top of the blank (so the front of the blank is at a 90 degree angle to the top). You can use your trunion and handguard together to check the fit.
3. NOW you can attach the template - lining it up with the front, since the front end is complete. From there you simply follow the template, make your cutouts, holes, etc and once that's all done fit the rear just like you did the front - but keeping in mind that your OAL should be around 10.25".

Silver Dollar's measurements and specs should be used as a guideline. All builds differ.

 

[hcpookie]

Remember too that the exact measurements for the front are 1.2 inches high, and 1.7 inches high for the rear. Hope this will help.

 

[7.62x39]

... I was reading on Max's tutorial where he cut off like 1 1/4'' off the front. I also read somewhere here on Gunco where the front of the receiver should be like 1.2'' high....

Josh,

Both statements are true.
The 1.200 height is correct.
Keep in mind that the tutorial was done using one of the very early blanks, the ones that started out 12" OAL, and required removing aprox. 1-1/4" from the front end.

The newer blanks are VERY close to the finished OAL, especially in the front.
All you really need to do to the front is square it with the top rail.