AK receiver weld job?

[hungryamd65]

How many of you have built an AK from a parts kit and welded the receivers to the trunions and how have they held up? I don't have the patience or tools to rivet so drilling and welding is the easy option for me. I also find an easy way to bend a flat is to measure properly and dremel 2 lines on the receiver most of the way through and bend by hand. Thoughts?

 

[Sam1911]

I have a friend who did a Tantal that way back in the good ol' days when you could afford to do something silly with an AK build just for yukks. I don't know if it held up or if he ever shot it much.

You cut most of the way through the flat and then bend on the now severely weakened cut lines? Dude, there's not much metal in an AK receiver shell anyway. That sounds like a horrible idea. Seems like a fantastic way to have the entire rifle split into parts ... which will then be welded to the trunions so impossible/pointless to try and fix.

And considering what AK parts kits cost these days, a decent receiver is the CHEAP part. Seems to me like the days of finding crazy alternative ways to booger one together died about five years ago.

 

[rcmodel]

I agree cutting the flat on the bend lines is a real bad idea!

They would be called stress risers, and that is where the cracks will be located when you start using it.

I also think welding the trunnion block to the barrel is a real bad idea.
The trunnion block is the heat treated part the bolt locks into to contain the pressure.
Welding on it would destroy the heat treatment.

I don't have the patience or tools to rivet

Then IMO, you shouldn't try to built an AK-47.

Tools to rivet consist of a hammer and a steel block to support the back side of the rivet.
Unless you want to get extra fancy and use a round head punch to make them look nicer.

rc

 

[Zane]

Screw build?

CNC Warrior sells the screws and the tap for $15

http://www.cncwarrior.com/comersus/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=29

 

[rcmodel]

I think the OP is looking for an 80% 1911 frame in another thread too.

rc

 

[Sam1911]

"I don't have the patience or tools to rivet..."

"...looking for an 80% 1911 frame"

These two concepts make an interesting juxtaposition...

You know, if you're in a hurry, one of these would probably make holes in a 1911 frame big enough to fit the pins into pretty quickly: http://www.airgas.com/browse/product_list.aspx?catID=418&WT.svl=418

 

[MarshallDodge]

Zane has the right idea. If you are not going to use rivets then screw it together. This will also allow you to take it apart in the future.

 

[rcmodel]

These two concepts make an interesting juxtaposition...

Yes, that is what I thought too!

I'm thinking a Drill & Tap Screw Build AK is not gonna end well either!

rc

 

[BBBBill]

...You know, if you're in a hurry, one of these would probably make holes in a 1911 frame big enough to fit the pins into pretty quickly: http://www.airgas.com/browse/product...418&WT.svl=418

Yep, that ought to do it!