AK tool help needed!

[jpkotor]

I can't afford any of the AK riveting tools (jigs or whatnot). I was thinking to follow the instructions from http://gunsgutsandgod.com/longrivetjig.htm to build a long rivet jig and then I was going to modify some bolt cutters to crush the front rivets. I need tools for a Yugo m70 fixed and a romy g.

I know very little about this kind of stuff, so I have a couple of questions

1. what do you guys use to modify your bolt cutters to get the best result?
2. to make the bucking plates/trigger guard jig i need to make indents into scrap metal with a 5/16 ball end mill. i dont know anything about ball end mills -- which kind should i use (2 flute, 4 flute... carbide?). and since i am not moving the metal just making an indent can i use the ball end mill in a drill press?

also i need to make this indent in a 3/8 rod to use as a ram, but do i need any other types of rams besides a flat and one with the 5/16 indent? i notice that the jigs sold on akbuilder and whatnot have 4 rams

thanks for your help

[diddler]

.....and then I was going to modify some bolt cutters to crush the front rivets.

1. what do you guys use to modify your bolt cutters to get the best result?

Bench Grinder, work very slowly and quench in water often, take your time. Don't let the pieces get too hot or they'll get brittle. If you see the metal changing color from grinding, stop and quench till its at least cool enough to touch with bare fingers.

[crob241]

ak tools

You can not use a end mill in a drill press. You need a 4 flute carbide ball end mill to make the recess, if you don`t have access to a mill you can use a dremel type tool with a grinding bit, either cone shaped or cylinder and grind the end of a large hardened punch, I use hardened metal punches used to make perforated metall, if those are not available you can use round bar stock from the hardware store,or go to harbor freight and look in the punch department at the punches, they have lots to choose. There are pictures of all these on the various ak building forums to give you a better idea. thnx

[inda_bebe]

i think its easier to use teh tapco screw set for the trigger guard area for $6 and use 3/8 U-DRIVE SCREWS for both truinions. if you use the U-DRIVES, you dont even need to remove the barrel.

i built mine in a day w/ painting all from my apartment patio. it looks, way cleaner than my other AK builds

[GameAPBT]

i think its easier to use teh tapco screw set for the trigger guard area for $6 and use 3/8 U-DRIVE SCREWS for both truinions. if you use the U-DRIVES, you dont even need to remove the barrel.

i built mine in a day w/ painting all from my apartment patio. it looks, way cleaner than my other AK builds

screw builds can be dangerous but it is cheaper... the money you save can be put towards medical bills if you hurt yourself shooting a screw build.

[inda_bebe]

yup, i saved about $50 and its in my medical AK insurance accout.

[motorhead]

proper screw builds are in no way dangerous. some find them ugly. i've got 2 with an excess of 1K rounds through each with no probs.. the most common ak injury is caused by a loose fitting top cover, this can happen with rivets too. even were your screws to rattle loose there is no danger.

[diddler]

proper screw builds are in no way dangerous. some find them ugly.

I've said it before, I don't like screw builds, I don't trust screw builds. Some stuff I've pulled from one of my previous posts:

Ok, this is not meant to be an insult, read carefully: There are many, MANY reasons why you ought to build an AK style rifle using rivets, the arguments abound on the AK forums. Whether you think its because "If its good enough for M. Kalashnikov its good enough for me!" or you trust in the inherent stability of the shear force resistance of the rivet, or how the rivet material flows on deformation to fill the voids and lock the trunnions to the receiver, it doesn't matter. A good rivet job just gets the job done, period.

There are exactly two reasons to do a screw build: Being too cheap and/or too lazy to do the build with rivets. Again, that isn't an insult, its just what I believe to be a fact. Nobody does a screw build because they actually believe the finished rifle will be superior to a rivet build in any way.

Most people tossing these ideas around, its their first build, and possibly their only AK build. Follow in the footsteps of those who have gone before, and built fine rifles. This is not something you want to screw around with. This will be your face you're leaning over the rifle the first time you pull that trigger.

Rivets aren't difficult, the tools are simple to make. Nobody fields Kalashikov style rifles in their military built with screws holding the trunnions in place. And I don't buy that screws are ok since its only semi-auto, that rivets are only needed to stand up to the punishment of full-auto.

The various AK forums abound with people who built their AK style rifle with screws and talk about that fine day when they'll tear it back apart and re-build it correctly, with rivets. Ask yourself this, do you want to build a rifle using methods that are proven, something you'll be proud to say you did right the first time, or do you want to build a rifle by cutting corners and end up with something you don't trust, and wish you could rebuild?

[JeffM]

Screw builds are so easy to mess up, it's not worth it. By the time you buy a kit and receiver, it's not a big stretch to lay out a little more cash to buy a factory built WASR or similar, and not have to worry.

The only cheap kits left out on the market are damaged ones from screw build attempts.

IMHO, sell your kits while they're still whole, and use the money to buy a factory gun.

Or save up some money and send the kit to a builder to be put together right.

Or do the leg work and learn how to do the rivets on the cheap. The right tools make it easier and turns out good looking rivets, but it's doable with home made tools like you're looking at.

Anything but a screw build.

[inda_bebe]

Screw builds are the way to go. Just do it right.

[ar15barrels]

Screw builds are the way to go.

Keep telling yourself that.
Denial is not just a river in egypt.

[miles2912]

Some of the best arguments I have heard against screw builds is the fact that the cheap communist states would be more than happy to save time and cost by screwing together their builds. The reason they rivet them is because you get a much more reliable weapon at a greater expense. Now granted the ak's a home builder will make are not getting the abuse a full auto AKM would receive but if it was feasible and 'better' to screw one together the commys would have done it. They don't. Don't screw yours.

[AaronHorrocks]

Some people use ducttape to hold thier cars together too.

[ar15barrels]

Some people use ducttape to hold thier cars together too.