Thinking about my first build

661 Views 9 Replies 8 Participants Last post by zteknik, Mar 29, 2010

philbosaurusrex

Discussion Starter · Mar 26, 2010

I'm new to this forum, and I've never built my own gun before. I've been tinkering with my AR-15, and decided building my next iron would be fun. I decided to go with an AK for variety and a larger chunk of lead to send downrange.

I'll probably go with a complete lower from a local gun dealer, but I'd like to order the rest of the parts and assemble them myself. I have a good amount of tools on my farm (grinders, punches, vise, 5 ton press, etc.) but I've never dealt with setting rivets before, and a screw build sounds like problems. Even though I have a degree in engineering, I always like to reverse engineer the small complicated stuff rather than start from scratch.

Does anyone have some advice or links for ordering parts, assembly instructions, or the different types of AK's? My AR is mil-spec, and ordering parts is easy, but the AK parts have me a little confused. My budget for this build will be about $600, so nothing fancy. Just a simple AK in 7.62 that will be easy to maintain.

Any advice on the AK will be appreciated.

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philbosaurusrex

Discussion Starter · #2 · Mar 26, 2010

change in plans

After some thought, I think I could build a bending jig out of some channel iron and bend a flat in my hydraulic press at home. It's operated by a 20 ton bottle jack, so I know it will handle some 1.05mm steel.

As for riveting, I'm going to need some help. I still don't like the idea of a screw build, because tapping a 1mm of steel sounds risky, and I can't weld metal that thin at home (I use acetylene and brazing rods for thin metal, won't hold long in a receiver build).

Anyone got some suggestions for DIY riveting? I saw a nice riveting tool on AK Builder, but I'm not sure I want to invest $250 in a jig I don't know how to use.

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ak47paul

· #3 · Mar 26, 2010

I saw a nice riveting tool on AK Builder, but I'm not sure I want to invest $250 in a jig I don't know how to use.

AK builder, Has the best stuff period....I would not use anything else....I have been to his shop seen his operation And WOW!!...Curtis Is a perfectionist!!.....very few people impress me, But to see the things he has done By himself is amazing!!!....As far as how to use his tools You can watch videos on You tube....The one thing I found out on my first builds, Is don't try and cheap out......You end up with crap that looks like shit.....It is alot cheaper these days to just go buy a AK then to build one.....But wheres the fun in that.....I have some cheap kits posted right now in the classifeds, But My advise is Buy a kit, Buy a flat from AK builder, Buy his bending jig use it then sell it (they hold there value) and keep doing that with all His tools until you are done.....Thats what I done....And after I used and sold everything, I was out very little money on the tools
thanks and goodluck,
Also keep reading and studying what others have done before you start. It could save you some headaches

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Bradrock

· #4 · Mar 26, 2010

I would order an NDS-3 for the first build. $55.00 & you'll have something to compare to if you decide to bend some flats.

page2

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TRX

· #5 · Mar 26, 2010

If you have or are willing to make or buy the tools, or just want a project, go with a flat. The AK-Builder flats are $5 more than the Tapco flats, but they have stepped rails and the holes are closer to where they need to be.

You don't need a hydraulic press to bend a flat. My bender is two pieces of 2 x 1/4" angle iron and four pieces of all-thread rod. Works just fine. Or if you have access to a metal brake, you can use that if the fingers are long enough.

If you just want to put a gun together with less work, buy the NDS receiver. It's an FFL item, which means it'll have to go to a gun shop or FFL holder instead of directly to you. Expect to pay $20 to $40, most places, for the "service" of receiving the part. Or go to gunbroker.com and find their list of FFLs who will do it at their home - I found one in the next town who'll do it for $5, which beats the hell out of the $75 all the "real gun shops" feel it's worth.

Lots of people have built AKs with minimal tooling. The fancy stuff, like the AK-Builder tools, are the hot setup if you're making a lot of rifles, but it's hard to justify the price for just one or two.

The last few kits I bought were barrell-less, which was handy since they were already fully demilled; no need to press out the barrel, drill rivets, etc.

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1biggun

· #6 · Mar 27, 2010

I'll probably go with a complete lower from a local gun dealer,

Lesson #1 AKs dont have a lower,they have a receiver. that AR talk

If you want to make your own go for it but you might wreak a flt or two before you get it right. IMOO if your going to just build one or two guns its best to go with a 100% reciver, it will be done right from the start and it will be legal to sell and transfer down the road.

I don' t have any store bough AK building tools I made or modifed every thing my self.

welcome to Gunco. there are lots of good people here and lots of quality info.

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shotgunner

· #7 · Mar 27, 2010

AK building is not that hard if you understand what needs to be done.
Sounds like you are doing your homework, at least you know you want to do a rivet build. First you will need to buy or make some building tools.(yes, homemade tools can do as good of a job as bought tools)
If your barrel is not removed from the trounnion already you will need a Barrel Pin Tool to remove the barrel pin, to press the barrel out. You could buy one here.
AK47, AK74, Galil Webpage about half way down the page.
To get the barrel out, I would suggest a 3/8 x 6" bolt with a brass nut on it.
For bending your flat you will need a bending jig, you could buy one from AK Builder or make one like this.
Very poor man's bend jig - lol
Now drilling the rivet holes in your receiver can be a real pain, but with one of these it is easy.
http://www.gunco.net/forums/f202/tru...-clamps-39053/
Or this one
AK Trunnion Rivet Hole Drilling Fixture
For the rivets again you could go to AK Builder or build one like these
Pictures of homemade tools and workshop
Or
Long Rivet Jig Question
With this
Pookieweb
This will help putting the rivets in your trigger guard, a trigger guard rivet jig
http://www.redstararms.com/index.htm?505.htm&1
You will also need one of these to weld in the lower rails.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=45689
With this
AK-47 Spot Welder Tong

And with the receiver built, riveted, rails welded, you may be ready to press the barrel back in. Some builders use the hyd. press to push the barrel in. But there is another way.
Allthread barrel install kicks azz
This is the method of choice for many builders including me, to date I have had no failures and it's very controllable. You don't want to go to far & need to press the barrel back out of a completed receiver.

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philbosaurusrex

Discussion Starter · #8 · Mar 29, 2010

thanks for the help

I'd like to thank everyone for your help, your information has been very helpful for my research. A proper build takes a lot of time, and I'm a little too far away from my shop (243 miles, to be precise) to take on an AK build right now. Instead, I'm going to install some more goodies on the AR and fine tune her a little bit. The AK build will get pushed back to next summer when I move back home. But if you'd like to track the AR status, just send me a message.

-Philbo

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Coils

· #9 · Mar 29, 2010

If you want to build an AK, get a parts kit and sit on it until your ready to build, and get it as soon as you can because you don't know how long they will be around.
If your only going to build one I'd just get a 100% receiver unlees you got your heart set on doing a flat, your not going to save much unless your going to multiple builds.
As for the riveting tools you can save a good bit making your own, I believe all the plans are in this section and the Library area.

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zteknik

· #10 · Mar 29, 2010

shotgunner said:
AK building is not that hard if you understand what needs to be done.
Sounds like you are doing your homework, at least you know you want to do a rivet build. First you will need to buy or make some building tools.(yes, homemade tools can do as good of a job as bought tools)
If your barrel is not removed from the trounnion already you will need a Barrel Pin Tool to remove the barrel pin, to press the barrel out. You could buy one here.
AK47, AK74, Galil Webpage about half way down the page.
To get the barrel out, I would suggest a 3/8 x 6" bolt with a brass nut on it.
For bending your flat you will need a bending jig, you could buy one from AK Builder or make one like this.
Very poor man's bend jig - lol
Now drilling the rivet holes in your receiver can be a real pain, but with one of these it is easy.
http://www.gunco.net/forums/f202/tru...-clamps-39053/
Or this one
AK Trunnion Rivet Hole Drilling Fixture
For the rivets again you could go to AK Builder or build one like these
Pictures of homemade tools and workshop
Or
Long Rivet Jig Question
With this
Pookieweb
This will help putting the rivets in your trigger guard, a trigger guard rivet jig
http://www.redstararms.com/index.htm?505.htm&1
You will also need one of these to weld in the lower rails.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=45689
With this
AK-47 Spot Welder Tong

And with the receiver built, riveted, rails welded, you may be ready to press the barrel back in. Some builders use the hyd. press to push the barrel in. But there is another way.
Allthread barrel install kicks azz
This is the method of choice for many builders including me, to date I have had no failures and it's very controllable. You don't want to go to far & need to press the barrel back out of a completed receiver.

now thats what i call info at your fingertips!!

every new builder should save this mans post!!
he just did most the home work for ya!

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