AK build questions

[jumbopanda]

I've been thinking about building an AK, and have a few questions. Yes I tried searching, but I get a huge number of results, most of which have little or nothing to do with my questions.

Can anyone recommend a good completed receiver and a good place to buy it? Not interested in bending/drilling my own.

A good parts kit, the number of choices is overwhelming, I want to know if there are any particularly good ones that stand out.

What special tools do I need? And I mean absolutely NEED, not interested in expensive tools used to start a production line. I'd like to spend no more than $50 in this department (I have basics such as a vice, hammer, grinder, dremel, etc.)

One more thing, I hear that screw builds are terrible, if this is true, why?

[leelaw]

Receiver: DCI/Nodak Spud www.nodakspud.com

Parts Kit: I went with centerfiresystems.com (I bought the DCI Yugo receiver, and it is specific to Yugo parts kits, so I had to be picky with the parts I bought)

Tools you NEED?

-Something to squish a rivet. A specific tool is best, but if you don't mind it looking funky, then heat it with a propane torch, stick it in, then happer a head so it won't back out.

-A press to remove the barrel, and then press it back in. Usually a 10-ton is used. A big hammer and punch can be used to get it out of the front trunnion, but it is not going to get it back in that way.

-Headspace gauges

Someone else can answer the screw question. If you end up going with screws, you will need a die set.

http://gunsgutsandgod.com/ to see what you're getting yourself into.

[cornholio1]

www.nodakspud.com for NDS-3 most common type

copes dist for romy kit with g2 trigger group already give you 4 us parts.

go with a rivet build.

[grammaton76]

Your other option is to find someone who already has the tools. Depending on where you live, folks may be willing to help you out. This weekend, there should be two folks' AK's getting built at my place, and if we have time, maybe my RPK too.

[Builder]

For ease and functionality, the NDS-3 receiver fits perfectly with the Romanian G parts kits. Parts kits are available from Bocefus on AKFiles forum, Copes Dist, and many others. The receiver can be ordered from NoDakSpud.com and they will send it directly to your local FFL.
If you desire a different AK design, NoDakSpud has other AK receivers to fit. See their website for the Yugo, RPK, Hungarian, Bulgarian, etc.
I've done a screw build, rivet build, and a TIG build. The fastest and easiest was the TIG. Since the barrel and trunion on the TIG build were never separated, no 12 ton press was needed nor headspacing. I checked it anyway and it was perfect. No press, no hammer, no drills, no punches, no bleeding, just a hand grinder to bring the rivets almost flush with the trunion. 10 TIG welds at the local shop and it was done. I used metric screws on the trigger guard instead of TIG just for now but it should be TIG'd too. 1200 rounds to far and all is perfect. Less than 500 through the rivet and screw.
The worst for me was the fear of pressing the barrel back into the trunion. Next comes an RPK and I'll try a U-Drive just for the fun of it as it's a well used parts kit.
Builder

[wayoutwest]

+ whatever on the NDS receiver, the holes are just right for the Romy, Polish, and my Russian kit. The Romy kits run $90 +/- what a bargin.

The bare minimun tools would be a dremmel, drill, tap, allen wrench, for a screw build. Add a press, rivit squisher for a rivit build.

Screw build> dremmel/grind the old rivits, center punch and drill undersize for the screws, tap. Drill out the TG rivits, grind the rear block rivits, center punch, drill them undersized for the screws. Put it back together with screws

Rivit build> dremmel/grind the old rivits, press out the barrel, drill out the old rivits, grind the TG rivits and drill out, grind the rear block rivits, drill them out or press them. Reinstall the TG, Trunion, block and rivit with squisher, press barrel back in.

Screw build in the rest of the country are not bad, they are easy, they just dont look authentic. Screw build will hold up when properly done with locktite.

Search the other AK forums for way to many opnions, remember we have only been planing with these for half a year the rest of the country for 3+

[jumbopanda]

one more question, what size press is needed to remove the barrel, and if i decide to, bend flats? im looking at a 6 ton which is pretty compact, or maybe i should go for the 12 ton? if the extra power isnt needed id prefer to get a small one as i have very limited space