[yosuthnmasa]

What methods do you guys use for smashing the rivets on your receiver? I don't have any of the specialized jigs, although they are in my scope for next purchases. Any tips, suggestions, or methods you guys have used, before buying the special jigs, for smashing rivets in the trunnion area and trigger gaurd? Or, any specific set ups with a press you guys have used successfully in smashing rivets?

 

[hotbarrel]

the only way I konw of to crush rivets with a press when the rivets are inside the trunion is to use a buck of some kind. they range in look widely and they range in price huge. in general the results should be the same when finished. myself personaly I hate to spend good money for a fancy looking tool when I am realy intrested in the rivet not the tool.
the trigger guard rivets can be pressed or hammered with a tool that is allmost like a punch with a notch ground out for the rail and the center support. then you can hammer or press it down. I use an arbor press here.
if your rear trunion has rivets that go all the way through you can hammer them, or press them.
of course thies can then all be broken down to detailed stepc after you decide what method you want to use. like anything your best teacher after some basic instructions will be practise.
P.S. for me and my first build, actualy makeing the tools to build with was a great feeling of pride and now I have them, and actualy have people seen the builds at work looking to use my tools to build their kits with me.

 

[Winn R]

Josh--

I'm not sure what homework you've done, so if you have covered this ground already forgive me.

The simplest way to go on the front trunnion on your first build, given a general limitation in shop capital equipment, is to tap it and screw it.

Since the back trunnion has easily accessed rivets, you can actually squish those in a vise.

 

[yosuthnmasa]

of course thies can then all be broken down to detailed stepc after you decide what method you want to use.

hotbarrel: I have definitely decided on using rivets. Although this is my first build, I would like to rivet it together. However, I am lack alot of knowledge when it comes to building these bucking bars to smash the rivets. I feel the same way as you do when it comes to tooling. If I can, I would like to do the simplest way with the least amount of money involved. It doesn't have to look pretty either. I am working on an AMD-63. As far as the trigger rivets go, the "punch" that you are describing sounds like a grea idea to me. How might someone like myself build one of these? Or, how did you go about doing it? I recently got my 20 ton press, so I'm ready to go in that department.

winn:I have done quite a bit of research on the pro's/con's of both. I guess I'm jumping in head first on this one. I really am taking in alot of information all at once. It is very exciting for me, and can be frustrating with so many things to consider and learn. I really would like to build this one with rivets this go round.

Basically, I'm trying anything I can get my hands on as far as tooling goes. I'm currently also trying hcpookie's method with bolt cutters now. But, I'd really like to get adventurous and try/look at other methods that are currently being used and find the one that I like best. I really appreciate all of your responses!

 

[hotbarrel]

we are all on your side buddy head first is a great way to go, if you want rivets why not rivets. I say go for it, if you do another method then you will reget it for a long time. try to stay excyted, it will take some time the first time so do not get dishartened. you have a press so that is the biggest thing you need. when you get the bar your trunion rivets will be fairly easy.
As for the punch for the trigger guard, you can use this tool with your press very well. Basicaly this is a 7/8" round stock about 3" long with a notch ground out to fit the rail and the cross bar. just grind and fit if the punch is going to hit the rail then grind out some more material. very low tec. but it works well. i will try to find the pisc for you to see but my camera is poor at best.

 

[hotbarrel]

check out thies threads " rivet bucking bar " , " rivet tips and tricks "
and page one of thread " my polish kit "
here are some pics, the bottom pic has the trigger guard pressing tool "punch" . put the rivet head on the edge of the press plate then put the punch on the rivet and press.

 

[midwestnewbie]

why not rivet the triggergaurd on without the rails and center support in place then install rails and center support?

 

[Grendeljaeger]

why not rivet the triggergaurd on without the rails and center support in place then install rails and center support?

I think he's using a 100% receiver, and they are already there.

 

[Byg]

I have a rivet jig from plinker which works great,but if I was limited on money
(not that I ain't) from what I have read and seen the bolt cutter riveting tool sounds like your best bet..You could pick up a set at HF for cheap and modify them yourself.Or buy them outright...Rivets are the way to go, dive in!!!!

 

[dutchkma]

I went all the way for my first, Greenlight trigger jig and squeezers. With those tools it was EASY! It was amazing how well it all went. The prep/demilling was more difficult. Rear rivets were a little touchy, started rounding them with a hammer, finished on the press. [have a plinkers rear jig on order for the rest I will do] I'm not sorry to have waited to get the proper tools for building. I figure that when I'm done I can sell all the stuff if need be.

 

[hotbarrel]

that is GREAT news. It is never as hard as it seems before you start. here is a quick tip. when you hammer the heads round over , try taking a fairly large punch. drill a tiny hole up into it then use a dremmil or a die grinder with a burr or a stome. and cup out the face of the punch. this will round over the rivet nice. I do this for the long rear rivets I hammer then clynderical to about 90% of the way then finish with the punch , you cant tell what side started with the round head, they both are round!!

 

[Viragos]

great tip HB!