AK Sponsor
Posted: 2/25/2003 9:29:59 PM EDT
|
Well, I have an abolutely MINT Bulgarian kit from FAC, an Ohm's tape, 4130, and am ready to s-l-o-w-l-y start the project. Anybody with any hints on the receiver build up? My only regret is spending many months on the AR projects. I wish I would have discovered this sooner. When it's finished, I think it'll be much closer to true "shade tree gunsmithing." |
|
Welcome to the home built section. You have chosen a major task. But it can be done. There is the challenge of accurately describing what you are doing, so please be clear in your descriptions. For example, I have no idea what you mean when you say you have 4130. I know it's 4130 steel sheet metal, but did you get a formed blank, or is it really flat, unmolested sheet metal, annealed and normalized? If you have a flat piece of metal and no access to a major hydraulic press, you will be way ahead of the game by getting a bent blank and tossing the flat sheet. I have built guns from flat sheet and unless you have to do it that way, (i.e. want to build an RPK which has a unique receiver unlike the normal AK receiver) you would be WAY ahead getting a bent blank off the board. A link has been tacked to the topics list here. If you want to proceed with a flat sheet, the first step is to build a bending jig. This is an enormous task. The sheet metal will resist bending to an extent you will find remarkable. Do not bother getting a bending press from Harbor freight or some other outlet. You will need to make a bending jig that can be used in a 20 ton press and that will be pushing the press to it's limit. You might be surprised by this, but I speak from experience. I do not have access to a professional "box break" so I cannot comment on their suitability, but if you do, it's possible it could be used. Write some more so we can get a clear idea where you are on all this. |
|
I applaud your desire to "roll your own", but I have yet to see the advantage of doing that verses paying $60 for one that is "right". I know that my time is worth alot, and for the amount of effort that goes into it, I can't see the advantage. Now if I were to have a CNC machine readily available, a milled version might be possible, but then again, time is the factor. But don't ask me, because I just spent "a lot of that expensive time" building a barrel press. |
|
Yea, I guess the thread was a little open ended. I have some 4130 flat stock laying around from Aircraft Spruce & Speciality. I've yet to decide on trying to weld up the plates or going the pre-bent route. Perhaps some research is in order! I'm doing my own because if I went and bought a pre-made receiver, I might as well just go and buy the gun! Tinkering is half the fun for me. It took me about a year to dream up a way to ream/tap buffer tube holes, but I was finally successful. The only problem I encounter is putting the project off to the side to take care of life's other chores, then, a month later, spending two days trying to figure out where the hell I left off!! My initial plan here is to take the milled kit, build the receiver, (one way or another), relieve the receiver stub/"trunion", and tinker around and assemble. Easy huh? :) If I'm lucky..........a year!!! |
AK Sponsor