AK Build Basics Revisited

[John@JCDLESales]

As of late I have been getting more and more of either AK Projects that are unfinished or hammered on to the point of It Ain't Gonna Shoot. I thought maybe a short revisit to the basics might help those that fall into this category.

Riviting seems to end alot of projects. *Hint if the first rivit you set goes badly STOP! They are not going to get better until you find out what your doing wrong. If you plan on building a few AK's you might want to look into a Riviting Jig get 2 or 3 friends and spread the cost around. Well worth the money and you'll be pleased with the results.

Pins and barrels are Pushed In at the factory. They are NOT Pulled Out with a puller to be replaced. Find someone with a 20 Ton Press make friends with this individual, bring him beer when you visit And the factory sure doesn't use the BFH Method of hammering a barrel into place. Also use some form of Anti Seize just in case you have to reposition the newly pressed in barrel. Beg borrow or steal to get a Pin Pusher for the barrel pins and a Trunion Jig if you plan on building a few more AK's. A friend with a lathe can whip you one out in a few min. Remember to Bring More Beer Here

Get all your parts REALLY Clean before your first trip to the Bead Blast Cabinet with either Acetone or Mucho Brake Cleaner. Make sure to look for Cosmoline hiding in the recesses under the rear sight and in the screw base of the front sight, Glass Bead is far superior to any kind of Sand Blasting. Again alot of automotive shops have blast cabinets that just sit. Never hurts to ask what the owner wants for say a 2 Hr. Rental.

Clean again before riviting the trunions in. Do your final fit of the selector and any fitting you might have to do the the Cross Member Rivit Head so that the selector clears it. If your going to add Selector Detents now is the time. One last trip to the blast cabinet to get anything you might have missed. A final clean and your ready to Parkerize of Spray On your finish.

* Remember Clean Is Never Clean Enough

Most of the Pics are Self Explanitory and I hope they help you visualize
what to expect.















Here is an example of what I'm talting about. The bad build had to be completely taken apart and redone. But the Polish Underfolder came out nice with a little TLC as you can see.

[josh]

Great pics. Thanks for the tips.

[DaveM55]

I just have one question, what kind of beer other than cold???

[deth502]

how 'bout some rough dimensions for that backing block for pushing the bbl pin???

[Dave in PA]

OK, how cool is that? I am still taking apart the chunks of my parts kit. I have one more rear trunnion rivet to remove. I am really only planning on building one AK style rifle, but I am as interested in building the assembly jigs as the rifle. Aside from the bending jigs, what other jigs make things go smoothly? I do have a lathe/mill combo available, drill press and 20 ton press. One thing I don't have readily available is a spot welder. Right now I am planning on drilling and plug welding with my MIG. Any comments on that plan?

[John@JCDLESales]

Just a diameter worthy backing plate to back up the rivet during the Squish. Whatever the "Head Diameter" Of The Rivet make bigger by .005 to compensate for expansion. A Ball End Mill is the Only Way to do this.

[John@JCDLESales]

Originally Posted by Dave in PA

OK, how cool is that? I am still taking apart the chunks of my parts kit. I have one more rear trunnion rivet to remove. I am really only planning on building one AK style rifle, but I am as interested in building the assembly jigs as the rifle. Aside from the bending jigs, what other jigs make things go smoothly? I do have a lathe/mill combo available, drill press and 20 ton press. One thing I don't have readily available is a spot welder. Right now I am planning on drilling and plug welding with my MIG. Any comments on that plan?

You really don't need any Jigs just Headspace and Drill for the Barrel Retention Pin on a Virgin Kit. If your Barrel And Trunnion are of the same Ser. Number No Headspacing is required. But checking is always the rule. AK's aren't Science they are a Loose Fit weapon designed to function under all situations.

[Dave in PA]

OK, my first receiver looks like shat. I plug welded the lower rails in and they look like shat. I knew I could grind them down, but didn't since I figured I was going to move onto flat #2. So I decided to practice on the rivits. Guess what? More shat. I need to either attend a bulld party or work on riviting better. Or go with a screw build. But that feels like cheating....

[Jackal]

In the 6th picture down, is that a spring loaded pin protruding from the fsb to hold on a muzzle attachment....like a compensator?

[deth502]

Originally Posted by jh664322

In the 6th picture down, is that a spring loaded pin protruding from the fsb to hold on a muzzle attachment....like a compensator?

yes, it is...