[yosuthnmasa]

I'm in the process of removing my barrel so I can continue with my AMD-63 rivet build. I was able to remove the barrel pin fairly easily with my 5'' bench vise and a 1/4'' srew by pushing it threw. But, this is where I'm stuck. I secured the trunnion horizontally in my vice and used some thin scrap metal on the sides of the trunnion to keep the trunnion from getting marred. Then, I got a really big bolt and placed a nickel on the opening of the barrel and pounded away. I really hit this thing hard and have hit it pretty hard a number of times. The barrel won't move at all! I have hit it hard so many times that I've expanded the nickel to the point where I had to replace it with another one. I've been hitting it so hard that I'm moving the trunnion while its clammped down in the vice. Initially the trunnion was secured tight enough in the clamp and it would move a little. But, I was able to clamp it down a little more so that it wouldn't move. In the pictures I've seen people removing their barrels by hammering it out, they've got it secure perpendicular to the jaws of their vice. Is this the best approach to hammering it out? If so, how exactly do you secure the trunnion without clamping on the barrel too? On Hcpookie's site it looks like the trunnion is sitting on top of the jaws and you hammer down. (http://pookieweb.dyndns.org:61129/AK/pressing/DSCN3175.JPG) However, the jaws would need to be clamped down so that the trunnion doesn't move, but not too tight or the barrel won't come out and or get scraped. Any suggestions in the method I am trying?

 

[Rhino_66]

A change of hammer made all the difference for me. I was using a fairly beefy 20oz ball-pein hammer to start. The going was pretty slow. I jumped up to the 3.5lb mini sledge hammer and haven't had a problem since.

 

[scubadvr]

Look at SangRun's post on his build. Note that the trunion merely rests on the top of the vise and is not clamped by it. You may want to give the trunion and barrel a shot of penetrating oil several times and let it sit for a little while. Jack

 

[Winn R]

Jack's right.

By clamping the trunnion, forces are exerted preventing the release of the barrel.

Adjust the vice with the muzzle end of the barrel down and the vice jaws slightly wider than the thickest part of the barrel.

Strike a blow downwards onto the protected chamber end of the barrel. Yes, we have to treat coins as expendable shop supplies.

Follow Ryan's advice and get a BFH.:scared:

 

[hcpookie]

I agree, the BFH is the best approach! I use a 3 lb. hammer from HF.

That pic was more of a "proof test" so be SURE that your trunion is protected! I'm thinking of buying some aluminum angle "trim" tubing, and cutting it so that it will rest on top of the jaws. That way there is an aluminum surface that the trunion rests upon, and that will protect the trunion & receiver from damage. Saw someone else say they use thick leather draped over their vise jaws.

- Jerry

 

[Winn R]

Not to complicate the issue, but the alternate of placing a pine block on the floor and the rear of the trunnion on the block leaves the muzzle at a little lower than waist height and easy to hit.

A trick is to drill a hole through a nickel and run a fastner through-- keeps it centered on the barrel without the involvement of fingers.

 

[yosuthnmasa]

After I posted the question, the first thing I thought of was a BFH. I saw the one on hcpookie's website, and figured that would make the hammering easier with a bigger head and there would be more force with a heavier head. The more and more I thought about, the more and more I thought about how bad I wanted my own press! I've been thinking and dreaming for months now, and then just decided that I was going to have to break down and get one. Just so tired of running into dead ends and having to make do with what I have.(although that is half the fun of building these things) HF has the 20 on sale for $179, so I stopped by and picked it up this afternoon. These Chinese presses are really simple!(hopefully that's not a bad thing) I have really contemplated going to my local Steel yard and picking up the supplies to build one of these. HF also sells the identical bottle jacks that are used on the presses. All it would take is the steel, a couple of springs, the metal, jack, a few nuts and bolts, and a little bit of welding. Plus I could build parts of it so that it would be easier to tear down when we move. I'll have to think a little more on that one...but I think it wouldn't be too terrible of a job and wouldn't be too expensive either. I could also use the one I have now as a blue print. I'll let you guys know if I decide to build a matching "20" ton press! That could be a nice money making project too! Thanks so much for the suggestions guys. Maybe now you guys could give me suggestions on how to position the barrel and trunnion on a press so that I can push it out. I've never worked with a press before.