populated my own barrel today....Updated. drilled it this morning.

[Im Broken]

Well aside from pressing, head spacing and pinning the barrel I did the rest on my own. Can't thank tujungatoes, caiman and kcscott enough for the unconditional support and help for what seemed like endless questions I asked. You guys surely are awesome.

All that is left to do is to drill and pin the components which I will most likely do at my buddies shop once inter the proper bits ordered.

And for the pic.

[IMG][/IMG]

Again, thanks to all you fine gentlemen that helped a brotha out.

[Dead*Reckoned]

Looks good, I'm going to be doing a couple of these pretty soon, what was the hardest part for you?

[shortround13]

looks good....hopefully mine will be done soon too....gives me something to look forward too!

[ColdDeadHands1]

Did you have to drill the gas port? How did that go for you? I invented new words when drilling mine.

[nicoroshi]

Congrats.
Always good to see another expanding their abilities.

[Im Broken]

Looks good, I'm going to be doing a couple of these pretty soon, what was the hardest part for you?

The stupid FSB. I coulndt tell if I pressed in far enough. The rear sight block went a lot easier than I thought it would. I think that's what gave me the confidence to do the rest. Seeing that go in easy made me think, " the fukc with it, ima do it myself". The gas block went in with ease also, I did use some emery cloth to shave down the lip of the journals so that nothing got caught when pressing.

looks good....hopefully mine will be done soon too....gives me something to look forward too!

Be careful, I haven't even finished one and I am already thinking what Franken AK I want to build next. You've heard of BRD well this is worse. It's AK cancer.....lol

Did you have to drill the gas port? How did that go for you? I invented new words when drilling mine.

Gas port was already drilled into the barrel. I believe it was an AK-Builder barrel that was perfectly sized for my parts kit as everything but the FSB pressed in with ease.

[Im Broken]

Congrats.
Always good to see another expanding their abilities.

Thank you sir, one day I hope to be as a great builder as the you. ( wife permitting, lol)

[ColdDeadHands1]

You're lucky. F*&% that hole!

Nicoroshi, got any tips for the 45deg drilling, next time I have to do one?

[nicoroshi]

You're lucky. F*&% that hole!

Nicoroshi, got any tips for the 45deg drilling, next time I have to do one?

Yes.
Drill through the gas block using one of Curtis' bits.
Start high speed and low pressure until dril stops bouncing.
This will keep the end of the bit from getting caught until it starts a divot in the barrel.
Then lower the speed and lean into it (high pressure) so that it cuts the hole.
When near the end (go by sound of bit to know) let up on the pressure and increase the speed again. This will keep the bit from getting caught as it breaks through.
Be sure to have a 'sacrificial' cleaning rod in the bore when you do it.
When rod starts jumping around you're through.
Remove rod. Dump out metal flakes from gas block. Use a bore snake back and forth through bore to remove any burr left on inside.
Check by covering chamber and blowing down muzzle end to check for release of pressure through block.
Done
Practice makes perfect.

[tujungatoes]

I forgot to mention it yesterday... Don't drill and pin the front sight until after you've shot it. That way in the (unlikely)event that your windage is beyond what's adjustable you can still move the sight to correct it.

[Datdarkness]

I forgot to mention it yesterday... Don't drill and pin the front sight until after you've shot it. That way in the (unlikely)event that your windage is beyond what's adjustable you can still move the sight to correct it.

+1 on this..

Did my whole barrel with help from CSA a while back.. Luckily we did not press the pins all the way and were able to adjust it slightly..

Also, if your build just isnt cycling right, take a 3ft pipe wrench to it... works wonders (paging csa for pics)

[E-120]

Nice job

[Paulie Lugnuts]

This may be a dumb question, but is it really critical to drill the barrel at 45 degrees? 90 would be much easier and I'd think the pressure would pass into the gas block the same, no?

[ColdDeadHands1]

This may be a dumb question, but is it really critical to drill the barrel at 45 degrees? 90 would be much easier and I'd think the pressure would pass into the gas block the same, no?

After cursing and wrestling with this stupid hole, I gave up and pushed out the gas block pins and pressed the gas block off. Where the little divot was from attacking the hole from 45 deg, I drilled 90 deg on a drill press. Reassembled and shot this weekend. Works just fine. I used a 1/8" bit by the way.

[Im Broken]

I forgot to mention it yesterday... Don't drill and pin the front sight until after you've shot it. That way in the (unlikely)event that your windage is beyond what's adjustable you can still move the sight to correct it.

Right. That was my intention from the get go. Im hoping to get to my buddies shop today to drill it.