So I wanted to build an AK, but I have no use for a hydraulic press or any of the other gizmos out there people spend hundreds of dollars on. Also, I'm only building one...stop laughing...
Parts list:
Tools I'm using:
For compliance parts, I'm using a Tapco G2 trigger group (3) US made barrel and receiver (2) and a US made muzzle brake (haven't decided on one yet). Check here to see if you're configuration is legal: GunWiki
Front Trunnion
Unfortunately, I don't have a vise yet. However, I do have a shelf and a bar clamp, so I clamped it to the shelf. Clamp it close to the center support to avoid squishing the receiver too much.
[Broken External Image]
Make sure the front trunnion holes line up. Place the rivets in the holes to hold the trunnion in position, and tape the ones in on the bottom side. The swell neck rivets go in the holes closest to the mag well. On mine, the holes for the middle rivets didn't line up, but it was close enough, so I just drilled out the hole to the same diameter as the rivet.
I used the bolt cutter method to install the rivets with some harbor freight 24" bolt cutters. I tried to grind the jaws myself like shown here, however, after days of picking metal slivers out of my hands and realizing I'd have to buy a ball end mill to make the rivet cup, I decided to just buy the Toth rivet jaws. They're pretty easy to re-sell these days.
[Broken External Image]
These things are pretty easy to use, just keep downward pressure on the rivet and try to keep the jaws level (I got carried away and got one of the rivets a little crooked, not that big a deal, but eh). Start with the front rivets, then do the middle rivets. Make sure to crush the rivets deep enough that the barrel will clear them.
Now to the magwell rivets. Take a 1/4" ball bearing and place it on the rivet hole like so:
[Broken External Image]
Use the rivet tool to squeeze it into the receiver, making a dimple for the swell neck rivets. Crush the rivets through the magwell, and you'll be done! You'll have a beautifully riveted front trunnion!
[Broken External Image]
To be continued...
Parts list:
- Romanian Parts kit: Link ($250, us made barrel)
- Nodak NDS-1 "EZ": Link ($85 shipped)
- Rivet set from AK builder: Link($9)
Tools I'm using:
- Toth tool rivet jaws: Link ($75 shipped)
- AK-builder trigger guard jig: Link ($75 shipped)
- Air hammer/BFH
- Needle files
- Drill press with 7mm end mill (to drill the barrel pin holes)
- 7.62x39 Go/No Go headspace guages: Link ($54)
For compliance parts, I'm using a Tapco G2 trigger group (3) US made barrel and receiver (2) and a US made muzzle brake (haven't decided on one yet). Check here to see if you're configuration is legal: GunWiki
Front Trunnion
Unfortunately, I don't have a vise yet. However, I do have a shelf and a bar clamp, so I clamped it to the shelf. Clamp it close to the center support to avoid squishing the receiver too much.
[Broken External Image]
Make sure the front trunnion holes line up. Place the rivets in the holes to hold the trunnion in position, and tape the ones in on the bottom side. The swell neck rivets go in the holes closest to the mag well. On mine, the holes for the middle rivets didn't line up, but it was close enough, so I just drilled out the hole to the same diameter as the rivet.
I used the bolt cutter method to install the rivets with some harbor freight 24" bolt cutters. I tried to grind the jaws myself like shown here, however, after days of picking metal slivers out of my hands and realizing I'd have to buy a ball end mill to make the rivet cup, I decided to just buy the Toth rivet jaws. They're pretty easy to re-sell these days.
[Broken External Image]
These things are pretty easy to use, just keep downward pressure on the rivet and try to keep the jaws level (I got carried away and got one of the rivets a little crooked, not that big a deal, but eh). Start with the front rivets, then do the middle rivets. Make sure to crush the rivets deep enough that the barrel will clear them.
Now to the magwell rivets. Take a 1/4" ball bearing and place it on the rivet hole like so:
[Broken External Image]
Use the rivet tool to squeeze it into the receiver, making a dimple for the swell neck rivets. Crush the rivets through the magwell, and you'll be done! You'll have a beautifully riveted front trunnion!
[Broken External Image]
To be continued...
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