tool question

[Bigben]

I want to start building rifles, and am not sure if a 12 ton press is adequate or if I need the 20 ton.

Will a rivet gun/bucking bar setup work as well as a press and jig for setting rivets?

If I go with a rivet gun, is 4x necessary, or is 3x enough?


Thanks in advance friends.

[tujungatoes]

It would help if we knew what you were planning to build.

*edit* I just realized you were asking about a PSL. A 12ton press will do. A pneumatic rivet gun and bucking bar will work, but unless you're very familiar with using them it's gonna look like sh*t. A press jig is definitely the way to go.

[Barabas]

Yes.
Yes.
Yes.

Now that I'm done being a smartalec, let me ask you a couple of questions.

Do you intend to use the press for anything other than building AKs?

Are you comfortable with a rivet gun? Not many people are, which is why the rivet jigs were created. Before they were first introduced, riveting was the highest bar to entry in home built AKs. There are a lot of screw builds out there from that time.

I would probably go 4x, but the rivets aren't hardened so it might be overkill.

You sound like an airframe guy. If you've got experience with the tools don't bother with the rivet jigs.

[SJgunguy24]

Get the 20 ton and beef it up, bigger is better. It will make quick work of stuff that will buckle a 12 ton. If you can get a ram style in 20 or above get that. Less chance of stuff moving around while under pressure, and the direct vertical loading helps to keep everything straight when pressing pins and barrel parts.

[Bigben]

I do want to build the PSL but am eyeballing many AKs