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Posted: 3/2/2016 7:08:27 PM EDT
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Working on a AK mutt build and have nearly everything (or can do everything) but the rivets. I just tried a method using a vice- and no go. Those rivets will just not "smash" inside the trunnion!
OK- I gotta ask: Anyone in DFW TX area that can help this poor sod out (that has a proper AK rivet tools)? I'm in Grapevine TX but will drive anywhere in Dallas Fort Worth area. I will pay rental fee and and put down whatever you want for deposit. Heck- it may not take that long and I can do while your standing there drinking beer I supply :O) I'd like to find n AK build party but those are few and far between anymore. Not new to AKs (or firearms in general). Just had a few AK parts- and you know how that goes! Thanks [email protected] Gary |
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Yes you can use the HF boltcutters to crush the short rivets.
http://www.harborfreight.com/24-in-bolt-cutters-60699.html http://www.tothtool.com/Rivet-Jaws-for-24-Bolt-Cutters_p_10.html But by the time you buy the Toth toll jaws & the boltcutter you could almost buy the 12 ton HF press. http://www.harborfreight.com/12-ton-shop-press-33497.html And use the 20% off coupon that would bring the press down to about $107.99 & then you could do the long rivets too. 
If you have a grinder you can make a rivet tool out of a grade 8 3/4" bolt to do all of the short rivets. 
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Many Thanks for the information.
I have seen just the bolt cutter "Jaws" for sale before, and I know that is an option. It's not that I'm cheap (well- in this case maybe I am). I was throwing together extra parts and did not want to put much money into it. The only part I'm having trouble with is smashing the damn rivet shanks. The gun has become a "quest" if that makes any sense. NoDAK receiver, Chinese carrier/bolt and top cover, Polish Underfolder, Bulgarian sight block, Romanian Barrel- you get it- A pure mutt! My main problem is patience. I know I will run into someone in person "at some point" that has the tools or find a build party. Worse case- I use a gunsmith I know just to press in the rivets (for a fee of course but probably under the price of buying tools), but it's my build and I rather do it all myself) (And I would rent the tool if someone is willing- so there will be a cost- but I assume LESS than buying them) I figured I had to post here and give it a try- you never know- a neighbor close but may have built an AK and now has tools laying around and would rent or loan it out! Once again, I am in Grapevine TX, perhaps you are one!? Many Thanks |
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The bolt cutter tools will work. A friend of mine made a set that I have used, where instead of drilling the rivet head shape into the jaws, he took several grade 8 bolt heads, cut off the bolt shank, and then drilled the rivet head shapes into the bolt head. The rivet jaws are then used to crush one side with the bolt head, and the jaws crush the other end inside the receiver to a flat pancake shape. This allows you to work the rivet jaws at weird angles without ending up with strangely dished rivet heads.
Be warned though, you will probably screw up a few rivets on your first try, so buy two complete rivet sets. The #1 thing that occurs in my experience with the bolt cutter jaws, is that the factory head does not stay seated properly and you may end up with a gap between the head and the receiver. It really helps to have an assistant help press down on the factory head to keep it seated. However when this happens you can also whack the rivet using a punch to reseat the factory head against the receiver, then crush it a tiny bit more. Don't worry about overcrushing them as it's nearly physically impossible with the bolt cutter tool, unless you are a giant beast of a man. The trigger guard rivets can be done with the pictured tools, using a hammer and punch, or you can commit the unspeakable act of using the AK Builder trigger guard screw plate. If you stake the screw thread shanks inside the plate there is no way that they are ever coming out without serious work. I have done the long rear trunnion rivets with a bench vise but it takes a couple tries to get right. Again I use the small bolt heads that a friend of mine made, it makes it easy to get good shaped rivets in the vise. However it's a good idea to first mushroom the shop end of the rivet with a hammer, as the vise will tend to make the long exposed tail try to fold over rather than begin to mushroom. Once you get it into a general shape where it can fit into whatever device you have fashioned to form the rivet head into a dome, put it in the vise and crank away. The trunnion will prevent the receiver from being crushed. When using a vice for any other general work though, always be careful to check where things are touching, as a vise can very quickly fuck up even a fully hardened receiver if you clamp in unsupported locations. |
Many thanks guys- really. But my impatience got the better of me and I took matters into my own hands. Yes- I used "MacGyver" type ideas, but in the end I have the rivets done (well- almost). 
I ended up making a rivet tool out of a 3/4 inch bolt, and ground and filed it to shape. Then not having a press, I tried to use my boat on a trailer by lowering the axle (use car jack to raise it up) of the trailer down on the bolt tool (carefully positioned) (with a back plate to protect the rivet heads). That little shaft of the rivet held up what had to be 700 pounds or more! No smashy, so I gave up. Eventually out of frustration I used the bolt tool I made and a BIG Fu*kin Hammer and wacked the tool (with a back plate to protect the rivet heads). Several tries. but I got them to flatten to how I wanted. Still have a few to do, and while I am sure you all are cringing or laughing, it really is working. In the end I can say I fully build this thing using homemade tools and improvising getting it together. Is it going to be junk?? NO- the results are good it is just taking me A LOT longer to do the steps. (It is MY build and I'll never be selling it anyway). Thanks for the offer to loan me some of the needed tools- a big thanks and that is rare to find in today's world. Take Care guys. |
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