Who here has built an AK?

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noresttill

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I tried to join ar15.com but never got the email invite :scrutiny:

Anyway, I am a bit confused on the idea. I realize that no more than 10 parts can be foreign. And a receiver is just a piece of metal until its bent.

So, if I bought this http://www.tapco.com/product_information.asp?number=ZAK06150B&back=yes&dept=214&last=214 and this http://www.globaltrades.com/ak_receivers.html (the 1mm type 2 at the top) I could build it?

What else would one need. I am looking at the easiest for my first build, as I dont have a press or machining tools.

Thanks

Jesse
 
There are many ways to skin this cat. I would suggest finding someone with experience to help, or do a lot of research before going forward. Try gunco, akfiles, ar-15.com, and gunsnet.
 
Thanks Jon thats a great site.

And Ive been researching it but there is so much jargon, it takes me a while to figure it all out.

That site cleared up a lot though.

One question though, I have been reading a lot about drive screws. Im leading to believe that they are screws that take the place of rivets. Is that correct?

Thanks youve answered a lot of my questions so far, and Ill be going to those other sites pac recommended to get a better understanding.

Jesse
 
Yes, I have built an AK.

I suppose you could build one with out any specialized tools.
I am not mechanically inclined at all. I had a bunch of specialized tools that were loaned to a group of us. We also received a lot of advice and instruction from others that had done it before. If you were mechanically inclined, I wouldn't be surprised if you could do it without the big press we used and all that but I can't honestly say for sure.
It was interesting. I proabably wouldn't do it again.
Well, I can't really say that. I have another kit I still need to build. On the first one (a Polish Underfolder) we used commercial recievers (Eubanks). On this next one (I think it is Romanian: it was like $99) I am going to try to build a receiver from a flat. Again, there is a local guy that has the jig etc. and knows what he is doing.
FWIW, I met the guys with the tools and experience on the Hometown section of AR15.com
 
If your lucky you can use a large carpenters clamp to install the barrell, it helps if you put the barrel in a freezer for awhile and you might find it helpfull to heat the trunion as well. Its not ideal, and I bet there are some cases where it just doesnt work.
 
I guess Ill have to find someone in the area. I checked out the "where are you builders located" Thread at AR15, and found one guy from the Miami area (thats where im around) but no way of contacting him.

Im in no rush, though. Ill reasearch more and save money in the case I have to buy the equipment

Thanks

Jesse
 
I built one last year, it's a fairly major project, takes some tools that a lot of people don't have, after it was all finished it had cost me more that just going out and buying a brand new one. I do have the satisfaction of finishing the project, and that's worth something, but if I want any more AK's, I'll go buy them.

50280635.gif
 
It is definitely cheaper to buy if all you want is any old AK. If you like collecting varients, building becomes economical. I just enjoy building things, so it's satisfying for me, and I enjoy the sense of freedom that comes from making my own receivers. I cringe when I have to do a NICS check or yellow form, now.
 
PAC 762 said:
It is definitely cheaper to buy if all you want is any old AK. If you like collecting varients, building becomes economical. I just enjoy building things, so it's satisfying for me, and I enjoy the sense of freedom that comes from making my own receivers. I cringe when I have to do a NICS check or yellow form, now.
Click to expand...

I feel these are my reasons also. I realize that I will spend more money on it, but that would be the first one. The tools are reusable.

Ill still have to add up the costs of parts and tools vs. buying built and see when I would break even.
 
FWIW, here is a thread showing one of the guns like I built. This one isn't mine but I built the same kit in this guy's garage. We took this gun out the other day and fired it for the first time. It ran like a top without any tweaking. He fired a couple 30 round mags and a full drum and it never skipped a beat. We finished them with Duracoat in the color "HK Black". http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=8&f=22&t=223582
Like most projects of this nature, if you are doing it for fun and to learn something, it is definitely worth your time. If you are doing this in an attempt to save money you are barking up the wrong tree. AKs are real cheap and plentiful. Unless you can get all the tools and stuff for free, you are going to lose big time.Well, let me change that statement a little bit. You might be the type of guy that could figure out how to do this stuff without spending any money and that would be very cool.
There are guys in Pakistan building artillary model Luger copies out of steel from railroad rails.
 
OK, Maybe this can be a reference for those who search and a check list for me.

Things you'll need, Where to get them, and the price:

Kit with US sec 922r. compliant parts: $199.99http://www.tapco.com/product_information.asp?number=ZAK06150B&back=yes&dept=214&last=214

Receiver Flat: $14.99 http://www.tapco.com/product_information.asp?number=AK0669&back=yes&dept=214&last=214

Flat bending Jig: $155.00 http://www.ak-builder.com/ak/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=2

Hydraulic Press: $59.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=1666

A welder will also be needed to attach to rails to receiver, but it was not listed being that a good welder could charge you the service rather than buying a new welding machine.

-OR-

Instead of flat, press, and jig:

Receiver: $70.00 + FFL transfer http://www.globaltrades.com/ak_receivers.html

Rivets or Drive Screws (can you use ONLY drive screws?) will be needed also at an unknown cost (dont know if you need a press)


How does this list look?
 
I was just rereading the thread and realized I haven't congratulated the builds that you all have posted. Very nice work, I hope mine is 3/4 as nice (I wont settle for anything less :neener: )
 
Nice rifle. :)
I and some friends are building Romys up, and after thinking about it I decided to stick with the original wood rather than putting on OD plastic furniture. It won't be as tacticool, but I think the Romanian rifles look pretty spiffy to begin with. I'm thinking about refinishing the wood though.

I'd suggest looking around for someone in your area that has an AK build shop already established and making some sort of trade to use it. Indeed it is expensive to get everything together that you will need, though many of these tools can be used for other uses if you're industrious enough. :D
g56 said:
I built one last year, it's a fairly major project, takes some tools that a lot of people don't have, after it was all finished it had cost me more that just going out and buying a brand new one. I do have the satisfaction of finishing the project, and that's worth something, but if I want any more AK's, I'll go buy them.
Click to expand...
 
Yeah, I will eventually need to replace my u-joints, so the press is already seeing a future purpose.

Jesse
 
Koobuh said:
Nice rifle. :)
I and some friends are building Romys up, and after thinking about it I decided to stick with the original wood rather than putting on OD plastic furniture. It won't be as tacticool, but I think the Romanian rifles look pretty spiffy to begin with. I'm thinking about refinishing the wood though.
Click to expand...

I like the wood look too, but the aftermiarket furniture is three 922r parts.

What did you use instead? Unless the 922r is spec. is only for selectable, class 3 AK''s
 
Try Copes Distributing and DPH Arms for kits and parts. Go with the DPH jig over the AK-builder. I've used both the the DPH makes nicer top rails.

You need at least a 12-ton H-frame press, usually $109 on sale. You'll also need a set of HF bolt cutters to modify, and a host of other jigs / tools that you can buy, make, or improvise. Off the top of my head some important tools:

-Big hammer
-Smaller ball-peen
-Files
-Punches
-Dremel
-Angle grinder
-Bench Vise
-Accurate calipers
-Hydraulic Press
-Flat jig (if doing flats)
-Spot welder with modified tongs( if doing flats or 80% blanks)
-Modified bolt cutters or a plinkers jig.
-Barrel press kit (easily improvised out of steel stock)
-Pin pusher for press (easily built from plumbing pipe and grade 8 hardware)
-Trigger guard jig (I built my own, only after doing many half-assed jobs with a vice and hammer.... best tool I ever built)
-Center punch
-Trunnion hole locator (Made from tweezers; saves a lot of time)
-Multiple sized of steel flat stock for various uses.
-MAPP torch (If doing flats)
-Drill press and bits
-Eye protection & mechanics gloves to protect hands
-Brake cleaner, WD40, Lithium grease, anti-seize, naval jelly, wood stripper & finish, metal finish (I like Alumihyde II), brake fluid, motor oil, CLP, Hoppes #9, etc, etc, etc
-Beer

Granted, the job could be done with much more, or much less. After being around the block, I would not recommend doing it with less unless you enjoy being frustrated..... It's much more fun when you have the correct tools.


noresttill said:
OK, Maybe this can be a reference for those who search and a check list for me.

Things you'll need, Where to get them, and the price:

Kit with US sec 922r. compliant parts: $199.99http://www.tapco.com/product_information.asp?number=ZAK06150B&back=yes&dept=214&last=214

Receiver Flat: $14.99 http://www.tapco.com/product_information.asp?number=AK0669&back=yes&dept=214&last=214

Flat bending Jig: $155.00 http://www.ak-builder.com/ak/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=2

Hydraulic Press: $59.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=1666

A welder will also be needed to attach to rails to receiver, but it was not listed being that a good welder could charge you the service rather than buying a new welding machine.

-OR-

Instead of flat, press, and jig:

Receiver: $70.00 + FFL transfer http://www.globaltrades.com/ak_receivers.html

Rivets or Drive Screws (can you use ONLY drive screws?) will be needed also at an unknown cost (dont know if you need a press)


How does this list look?
Click to expand...
 
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