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After using an AK builder rivet tool for a while, I finally got around to making my own improved version of it.
My general feeling is that the AKbuilder tool was not built heavy duty enough for my liking.
I dislike the small floating piece that you set around the rivet to be able to see the rivet forming as it is not keyed to the clamping bolt in any way.
I did not like that the lower anvils are not positively aligned to the threaded ram and forming pins which allows the receiver to "walk" around as you are crushing a rivet.
My design improves on these things.
I used:
much thicker plates
4 posts so the upper plate can not twist
3/4-20 ram threads which are snugly fit to the upper plate
rivet forming rods are 1/2" diameter O1 tool steel that I will be heat treating to about 55c
Anvils are located with a nub on the bottom of each so they will not slide around
several more forming anvils including a correct flat-bottomed center support rivet one
Larger floating piece is captured to the fixture so it will not rotate
Levers to tighten and to lock the threaded ram (not done yet)
The fit between the formers and the threaded ram is just 0.001" for minimal "walk" while forming.
My general feeling is that the AKbuilder tool was not built heavy duty enough for my liking.
I dislike the small floating piece that you set around the rivet to be able to see the rivet forming as it is not keyed to the clamping bolt in any way.
I did not like that the lower anvils are not positively aligned to the threaded ram and forming pins which allows the receiver to "walk" around as you are crushing a rivet.
My design improves on these things.
I used:
much thicker plates
4 posts so the upper plate can not twist
3/4-20 ram threads which are snugly fit to the upper plate
rivet forming rods are 1/2" diameter O1 tool steel that I will be heat treating to about 55c
Anvils are located with a nub on the bottom of each so they will not slide around
several more forming anvils including a correct flat-bottomed center support rivet one
Larger floating piece is captured to the fixture so it will not rotate
Levers to tighten and to lock the threaded ram (not done yet)
The fit between the formers and the threaded ram is just 0.001" for minimal "walk" while forming.
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