AK Build suggestions

[Dirtbiker]

1. Buy unfired Romy G kit. Check
2. Buy AK builder rivets. Check
3. Buy 922r parts. Check
4. Buy NDS3 receiver Check

OK I've done all of the big stuff. Now I'm looking into buying/making tools. I'm sold on the 24" bolt cutter for the front rivets. What bolt cutter design is preferred? The bucking plate or the ball milled jaw? I have a 1/2 drill rod for the trigger guard rivets. What tool is preferred for the two long rear rivets? Am I going to crush the rivets cold or do they require a bit of heat? I've seen about 10 different ways to do it. Suggestions/recommendations?

The factory finish on my kit is really good. What process was used by the Romanians? Is that a parkerizing of some type? I want to match the NDS3 as closely as possible W/O re-doing the original parts. Plus I like the big red G.

Final question. Who makes the best US made 10 round mags? Or who makes the best converted original mags?

I can't wait to get this thing done. My DROS is up in 9 days and I want to have all of my tools in order. Thanks again guys W/O finding this site I never would have known about OLLs. Since November of 07 I have built 2 ARs and am now embarking on my first AK. I always wanted one of these. I'm still kicking myself for never buying that new Styer Aug back in 88 for $999

[scotthmt]

the barrel pin is going to be a pain, and pressing out the barrel wont be easy either, a press is recommended for both jobs.

[jumbopanda]

+100000 for the press.

[MrNiceGuy]

Truth be told I was able to use the BFH (Big Fricken Hammer) method on the barrel pin AND the barrel on ONE of my Romy Kit. But the 2nd Romy kit's barrel pin refused to move not matter how many times I pounded on it with the BFH.

Regardless, I think you need a press to push the barrel and pin back into the new receiver anyway.

[scotthmt]

I've done it BFH before, but theres a couple that i've done on my press, that I am sure would not have worked with BFH. Press is a necessity, find something else you could use it for to justify the cost.

[JPglee1]

JP's opinion...leave it headspaced and weld it together *nomex suit donned*

I think its 100% easier, faster and all around cooler to go with a weld build...especially if you fill in the dimples to give it that pseudo milled look.

I know that doesn't answer your question, but my .02$ is free


J

[JPglee1]

Or who makes the best converted original mags?

Well I know someone... lol

I can still do 10/20 and 10/30 mags for the people who want the utmost peace of mind in a legal reduced capacity mag conversion.

Do a search, I'm Bwiese endorsed lol


JP

P.S. $25 + parts for the conversion. Its a lifetime deal, won't need any maintenance aside from cleaning and lube for the life of the gun. If anything fails thats caused by MY workmanship, repairs are free.

[Builder]

JP's opinion...leave it headspaced and weld it together
I think its 100% easier, faster and all around cooler to go with a weld build...especially if you fill in the dimples to give it that pseudo milled look.

Weld it.
Faster and nicer.
Thanks,
Builder

[thedrickel]

Rivet the front with bolt cutters. Get a cheap vise from Harbor Freight for 30-40 bucks, use a ball peen hammer to get started on the rear rivets and then go to town with 2 bucking bars. Finish up with the sledgehammer.

Polish the chamber end of the barrel and use the allthread method to get it back in. If it hangs up, use the BFH. Pound the pin back in. Piece of cake.

[motorhead]

barrel pin-air chisel
bbl. removal-p/s pulley remover
bbl. inst.-allthread
unless you're really good with a hammer and have a real big vise i'd avoid the bfh method. the rsb is a ***** to replace. one bad swing and your project goes triple time.
most 10 rounders on the market are chinese. there are NO good us mags for the ak rifle.

[ciscosixgun]

I bought a new barrel pin from K-var and drilled the old one out with a cobalt drill bit. All I did was drill through the pin with a smaller diameter bit and it was enough allow me to hammer the pin out easily. I guess you could also use drill rod for the pin providing you drill the right size hole before you press the barrel out. I used a gear puller to take apart the barrel and trunnion with a little bit of liquid wrench.

[jumbopanda]

Welding a trunnion is not something that an average joe can do. It requires a lot of skill and doing it wrong could have very unpleasant results.

[jumbopanda]

1. Buy unfired Romy G kit. Check
2. Buy AK builder rivets. Check
3. Buy 922r parts. Check
4. Buy NDS3 receiver Check

OK I've done all of the big stuff. Now I'm looking into buying/making tools. I'm sold on the 24" bolt cutter for the front rivets. What bolt cutter design is preferred? The bucking plate or the ball milled jaw? I have a 1/2 drill rod for the trigger guard rivets. What tool is preferred for the two long rear rivets? Am I going to crush the rivets cold or do they require a bit of heat? I've seen about 10 different ways to do it. Suggestions/recommendations?

I use bolt cutters with a bucking plate. The trigger guard rivets are difficult to do without a very good jig, so I'd recommend getting the AK Builder one. The long rivets are done with a simple jig and a press, check out www.gunthings.com for their long rivet jig. You can also make your own if you'd like. Rivets are cold formed, do not heat them.

The factory finish on my kit is really good. What process was used by the Romanians? Is that a parkerizing of some type? I want to match the NDS3 as closely as possible W/O re-doing the original parts. Plus I like the big red G.

It's most likely manganese phosphate parkerizing. There's nothing wrong with refinishing the whole gun, but if you want to leave just do the receiver that's fine too.

Final question. Who makes the best US made 10 round mags? Or who makes the best converted original mags?

Don't bother looking for US made mags. Your best bet for 10 rounders would probably be Chinese ones. You could probably also fine some European metal or plastic ones that cost a little more.

I can't wait to get this thing done. My DROS is up in 9 days and I want to have all of my tools in order. Thanks again guys W/O finding this site I never would have known about OLLs. Since November of 07 I have built 2 ARs and am now embarking on my first AK. I always wanted one of these. I'm still kicking myself for never buying that new Styer Aug back in 88 for $999

Stick with rivets, AK building is not hard and there's absolutely no reason to weld anything when the original method is so simple. You won't need to worry about messing with the trunnion's heat treatment or having stress issues.

[joe_sun]

Where are you located at? There might be someone local who already has the tools.

[weezil_boi]

Where are you located at? There might be someone local who already has the tools.

Joe_sun = AK tool Guru