Well here is the results after making the knob in my lathe.







I used polyethelen and high temp silver solder. However, I dont think the bcg is getting hot enough to let the solder flow. I guess I need to try oxy acet or arc weld it. The other option is to tap the hole, make another threaded knob, and locktite it. I could tell things wernt working right since the solder stayed in this big bubble and did not flow at all. Copper is much easier.

The other concern I have, and is why I tested this on this bcg when I can easily by another and not my saiga, is the heat on the metal. I am wondering if this romanian metal will weaken from the heating to solder it.

The top cover was easy to do. I cliped it with HVAC heat metal shears and evened it out with the grinder.

Well I ordered a tap that was appropriate for that size hole last night. I also ordered a matching die. I will have to turn a new handle and thread it. Note, no one had any die handles for a decent price. The one place that did have them for $4 required a $25 minimum order. I guess I will be ordering some more stuff...

Hopefully, I will cut and thread this thing and add some blue locktight. That is if I dont find the desire to go barrow an oxy accetaline torch on monday morning and do this that way............

There's a lot of vibration going on with that thing. I would use red loctite. But that's just me.

For some reason I was thinking blue was nonserviceable and was gona pick some up. I have tons of little tubes of red and some quickset. I will try the red. If that doesnt hold I will have to take another approach with a torch plus seperate flux and silver solder.

I might also have to lop off the right side charging handle in order to allow for a folder when I SBR. Either that or make a design change to the current one. It might be just me but I will hardly use the right one so that should be the weird location one.

IMO, silver solder ain't gonna hold it on.  I'd weld it if I were you.....MIG, TIG or Oxy would be fine.

JMO,

Sean

Here are a couple pics of one I had my local shop here in Phoenix do;

ZIX! THAT THING IS AMAZING! Love the sights!

Great idea! Mind if I copy it?

Tig welded?

My plan is to avoid paying $250 for a carrier with a cocking handle on the correct side...  I am at a wopping $25 for the 3 foot steel rod, the tap, die, and the holders....

I think my gunsmith charged me $80-100 for everything.  He also notched the safety lever and left a small nub of the original lever so I could use it to lock the bolt open.

EDIT:  Yes, I believe it is tig welded

Thanks, the same 'smith that did the left-side charge also put the HK sights on as well...I do like them better than the standard AK sights!

Yep....that *appears* to be a TIG weld.

Sean

Zix
What was the name of the shop that did your mods for you?
I would like to contact him, do you have contact info?

Please IM or email me when you get the chance.

TIA

IM Sent