[Randy]

I have a U-bend-em receiver kit and I'll need to weld it up when I'm ready to assemble a yet to be determined kit.

I used to be a mechanic so I have a few tools and I'm pretty good at homebrew engineering but need to assemble up a few of the larger tools.
HF has a cheapie arc welder for sale that won't hurt my budget and will be handy to own. My question is will this work for the AK build?


http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=33224

 

[7.62x39]

Those flats are tricky to weld for an experienced welder using a mig.

Don't forget after you fold that flat, where the bottom and side meet is corner to corner, and therefore very little meat to weld, making it very easy to burn through.

If you do decide to try and arc weld it, make sure you use a heat sink of some sort.

 

[RebFootCav]

A arc welder here, will piss you off to no end......A tig is much better.

 

[mike26038]

It would be imposible to weld the U-BEND-EM with that welder..

A MIG outfit would be doable, but very difficult even for the more experienced welder..


Tig is the easiest way to go, but also the most expensive if starting out. figure $100-$1500 for a outfit that would JUST DO...

 

[Randy]

Alrighty, Thank You much guys. This is why I asked LOL
I'm a tolerable gas welder from way back who hasn't had any practise in eons. TIG it is with some thin stock practise in my future
Thanks Again

 

[justashooter]

Alrighty, Thank You much guys. This is why I asked LOL
I'm a tolerable gas welder from way back who hasn't had any practise in eons. TIG it is with some thin stock practise in my future
Thanks Again

these split flats can be welded with E-6011 3/32" rod and about 75 amps. sheet metal joints like this should be tacked every inch and smoked downhill with white wire like 6011 or 6010+++P.

i weld sheet with a stick welder all the time, just because i'm too cheap to buy a mig.

 

[AK-74Freak]

I had fun with those laser cut receivers too! I totally fubar'd the first one. Blew through it in several places. Took my time on the second one and it came out great!!!.

 

[Nick]

heat sink?

its a little late in the game to ask this, but (in detail) whats a heat sink?

 

[gunnysmith]

its a little late in the game to ask this, but (in detail) whats a heat sink?

A piece of copper placed inside the bend to disapate heat from the weld

 

[Winn R]

and they're easiest to do if clamped to a 1.25" piece of keystock. If mig is used it's about impossible to continuous bead at the mag well openings-- burns through to the edge.

The upper rails are also tricky because the partial weld bead on the inside can interfer with carrier passage. Its a bear to get to to clean up.:scared:

 

[Nick]

heat sink

thanks for the answers. Just a peice of copper? Hell, that sounds too easy.