AK build questions

[NateG]

Okay, I'm planning on doing the WECSOG thing and building an AK. I've just got a few questions... but first, here's what I have:

A drill press
a wife who isn't opposed to the idea (though she won't get me the kit for Christmas, she didn't want to have to tell her friends she got me an AK for a Christmas gift)
various hand tools/dremmel, etc.
too much time on my hands

My questions are: is a welder necessary (if so, I might get one for Christmas) to attach the rails?

Is a hydraulic press necessary to bend the Tapco flats? (Also, what jig would I need, if any, to bend them?)

General impressions of bent-but-not-drilled vs. drilled-but-not-bent flats? Which method is easier? (If I go bent-but-not-drilled, is there an easy way to do those dents by the mag well?)

What other tools do I need? Welder, hydraulic press, jigs, etc?

I'm not really too worried about whether or not building it is cheaper than buying one; however, the costs of tools, etc. is a consideration. (That is, I'm not building to save money, but I don't have unlimited funds)

What kits and compliance parts would you recommend?

Thanks a bunch,
NateG

Oh, I did a few searches before posting this, but if this (or a similar) question has been asked answered before, my apologies.

 

[blfuller]

I'd go with a pre-done receiver, it will probably save you a lot of headache, Ewbanks is cheaper but a Global Trades is the best. If you have decided to do a screw build this would be the cheapest, you just need drills and taps. You will need a press for removal of the barrel pin if you are going to rivet it together.

For compliance parts I'd go with the tapco G2 trigger group and one of their pistol grips and gas piston.

There's a lot of info in the stickys at the top
http://www.ar15.com/forums/forum.html?b=4&f=51

 

[PAC 762]

Go 100% receiver or find someone with the correct tools to build a flat. A flat can be done with minimal tools and a homemade jig, but your chances of it coming out well is slim. Rails can be atteched with screws, but it will not be as strong or look as nice as a spot welder job.

Otherwise, you will need to grind a set of cheapo bolt cutters to do the short rivets. A hammer can be used for the long ones. A hammer is all you need to pull and replace the barrel, but it'll be easier with an autozone gear puller or a hydraulic press. The dremel and drill press you already have will be very useful.

 

[sctman800]

Try www.surplusrifle.com/ak47 on the right side of the page you will find IIRC a five part instructional on bulding an AK from scratch. I would also recommend the Tapco G-2 trigger group and the FAL style pistol group. If you like synthetic, K-VAR makes nice furniture, and Red Star Arms makes a "shepard hook eliminetor". You might look for a copy of Shotgun News also they have many vendors for AK parts. IMHP it all makes a real nice gun. Jim.

 

[444]

I am in the process of building my first AK.
It is a Polish underfolder parts kit with a Ewbanks reciever.
I can try to give you a brief description of what I have done so far if you want, but I can tell you that EVERYTHING that I have done has required the use of a hydralic press.
Some of the stuff, like setting the rivets can be done without the press but I think you are going to need a press.
We borrowed a bunch of homemade tools for this build. All these tools are gadgets to transfer the power of the press where you need it and not anywhere else.

"A hammer is all you need to pull and replace the barrel"
WOW !!!!!!!
I guess, where there is a will, there is a way.

 

[hhmorant]

A tutorial including instructions for forming the magazine well dimples:
http://gunsgutsandgod.com/SBS tutorial.htm

I'm working on my first AK too, but I decided to go with a 100% receiver (Ewbanks). I needed a hydraulic press to get the barrel pin out, though I gave up and drilled it out in the end. So far that's been the toughest part.

Pulling my barrel wasn't too bad. I used an arbor press, but a hammer would have worked.

 

[444]

When I was pushing out my barrel, I was using this press that stands about four feet high and uses a 12 ton jack. I pushed so hard that I stopped twice to see if I was doing something wrong. Just before it finally let go, I was all but hanging off the jack handle, and I am a pretty big guy that does some weight weight training.
Now one of the guys I was doing this project with, had his barrel slide out like butter.
You probably could get mine with a hammer. A big hammer.

 

[444]

When I was pushing out my barrel, I was using this press that stands about four feet high and uses a 12 ton jack. I pushed so hard that I stopped twice to see if I was doing something wrong. Just before it finally let go, I was all but hanging off the jack handle, and I am a pretty big guy (250+) that does regular weight training.
Now one of the guys I was doing this project with, had his barrel slide out like butter.
You probably could get mine with a hammer. A big hammer.

 

[NateG]

Thanks. I think I'm just going to have to find a few step-by-step direction sets so I can figure out what I'm really in for. I know it won't be easy (heck, that's the appeal) I just want to figure out what tools I'll need to get (but honey, I need a flame thrower to properly heat treat the receiver!) so I have some idea what sort of cost I'm looking at.

Y'all have been quite helpful. Thanks. I'm sure I'll be asking some stupid questions before long...

Such as: what are the ways to attach the rails? Welding, screws, can you rivet it?

Thanks again,
Nate

 

[444]

Just something you might want to think about: Post that you are looking for people in your local area to do a group AK build. You never know what might happen. My buddy did that on AR15.com and local guys had done it, had the tools, were willing to show us how and let us use their tools. Here is a link to the thread: Ok, I guess not. It was on the AR15.com Hometown board. But, the thread is too old, I guess and I don't have a membership that allows me to search for old threads.

 

[PAC 762]

what are the ways to attach the rails? Welding, screws, can you rivet it?

Nate,
I apologize for being brief, but I type slowly and a search on the ak building boards will give you everything you need.

Anywho, the preferred method of attaching the rails is to use a harbor freight 115 volt spot welder ($150ish). The lower tong is modified to fit in the bent flat to weld the rails in with 5 welds per side. Some people (including me for my first build) use small screws and either nuts, or tapping the receiver. I used nuts and locktite and it has held up after about 500 rounds, but now I have a spot welder and it is much preferred. However, I am just completing my 5th build and have well over a dozen more kits, so the tooling cost is spead out. I highly suggest posting on the AK boards asking for local builders to help you out. Most people are very helpful and expect nothing in return (although bringing some beer is always appreciated ). If you have any reason to be up near delaware, I would be happy to let you use my tools to make a receiver or three.

 

[NateG]

Thanks for the help. It never ceases to amaze me how helpful and generous y'all are (y'all being gunnies in general).

Thanks again,
Nate

 

[Bane]

You can find all the info you need akfiles.com or ak47.net

 

[NateG]

Okay, got one more question... I think I'm going to try to make a bending jig, but I can't find the dimensions of the AK receiver. Any ideas where I might find the information to build one?

Thanks yet again,
Nate

 

[PAC 762]

The blueprints are on gunco.net. Check the the library section.

 

[NateG]

Pac, I found 'em. Thanks.

diagram here

 

[mrmeval]

I get redirected to an Xbox ad

Pac, I found 'em. Thanks.

diagram here