yosuthnmasa said:
I've been putting off builiding an AK for quite some time. I guess I'm a little intimidated with all the different parts and pieces and so many tools which do different things. I also can't decide which to start with the first, the AK parts or the tools. I guess all that depends on what I want to build. Perhaps you guys can direct me if I fill you in on what I want to build. I figure its in my best interest to start with a basic run of the mill AK. I definitely don't want to start out with one of those Druganov's from CF, given the price and it being such a nice weapon that I'd hate to make a mistake on. So I figure something in the ball park of a SAR-1 put together with rivets but with no special add ons. From here, the next question is, parts or tools first? I have access to a welder, although I've never used one. I think it is a Mig? It's a Craftsmen that feed wire from a spool under the welder's cover. It also has a plastic tube attached to it that you can hook up and run some type of gas through while welding. I also have access to a drill press and dremel tool as well as your basic home owner's tools such as hammer, screwdrivers, wrenches etc.
You are describing a Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welder. The plastic tube hooks up to a flow meter and the flow meter connects to a bottle of inert (argon or simular) gas. Wire is fed from the spool, through the "welding gun" (the part that you hold), and gas flows around the wire toward the molten metal. The gas shields the metal and keeps impurities from forming that could spoil the weld.
The machine that you are discribing will most certainly have to have wire speed, and amperage controls. You may or may not be able to set the feed and amperage DOWN low enough to weld very thin sheet metal (1mm). I believe that Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding would be the better way to weld a sheet metal receiver. This is simular to MIG in that inert shielding gas is used during the weld. However, this system uses a sharpened tungsten electrode that protudes out of the welding gun or handpiece. The arc is struck by holding the electrode very close to the work and depressing a switch. (Usually a foot switch, in my experiance.) Then welding rod is fed into the arc and onto the work. (Very simular to regular oxy-acetylene "gas" welding.) These machines are usually more expensive than MIG welders. However, these machines are more adjustable. You will need to used the correct alloy and thickness of welding wire (MIG) or welding rod (Gas, TIG).
It takes a lot of practice to do both of these methods correctly. I would not recommend practicing on a $30.00, laser cut flat.
I recommend checking with your local vocational/technical training school. See if they offer adult, evening classes. You will learn very, very much more that I can write here. Plus, you will have access to the welding machines, and practice materials. You will have an instructor who can take a look at your work and make suggestions on how to improve it.
Yours,
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