AK de-milling help

[pterrell]

So today I was able to start de-milling my kit. Ran into a couple snags that I couldn't get figured out.

First one is the long rivet through the front trunnion. I ground it, drilled it, hit it with a punch and that sucker will not budge from either side. I'm afraid to drill it much farther because I don't want to chew up the trunnion while doing so.

Second, is the barrel piece in the gas block. I've got it to the point where the cut is flush with the top of the gas block but I can't seem to get it to move any farther from there. I can't quite get enough surface area on the gas block to get a good solid whack at it with a punch.

I've been using WD-40 as a lubricant and it seems to have been working fine for each step.



On a side note, is there an easier way to remove rivets without tearing up the pieces I'll be doing my build with? So far I've been grinding down the end that is against the old reciever, drilling a small hole, and then using a punch to get the rest out.

[buellster]

Typically I drill out the rivets about half way with 5/32 bit. Then use a punch the rest of the way. You've gotta relieve the pressure of the rivet to the trunnion. Demilling barrel subs is a bear without a press.

[pterrell]

Typically I drill out the rivets about half way with 5/32 bit. Then use a punch the rest of the way. You've gotta relieve the pressure of the rivet to the trunnion. Demilling barrel subs is a bear without a press.

The rest of the barrel stubs weren't a problem. What I'm running into with this one is a lack of area on the gas block to grab.

I'll give that another run tomorrow and just drill both sides. See what happens, thanks.

[Jayruta]

If you want help demilling let me know and you can swing by; and I can help do it the right way.

[tujungatoes]

Those trunnions are (borrowing from kcstott here)hard as a whore's heart. you'll hear the bit start to scream if it breaks through the soft rivet and hits the trunnion. You're not going to chew it up unless you're using carbide drill bits. Trying to remove parts from barrel stubs without a press is gonna drive you nuts. I'd take jayruta up on his offer.

My long rivet method is as follows. Use sharp bits and plenty of cutting oil. Drill your rivet half way through from each side. You might be tempted to drill all the way through from one side...don't. Every time I thought I was cool and tried it I managed to break a bit off in the trunnion. Go slow and back out frequently to clear the chips. I start with a 1/8" drill. Once the holes connect run the bit all the way through. then just start stepping up through your drill index 2-3 sizes at a time. Right about the time you hit #17 or so what's left of the rivet will walk right up the bit and out. No hammers. No broken punches. No stray marks on the trunnion.

[kcstott]

Those trunnions are (borrowing from kcstott here)hard as a whore's heart. you'll hear the bit start to scream if it breaks through the soft rivet and hits the trunnion. You're not going to chew it up unless you're using carbide drill bits. Trying to remove parts from barrel stubs without a press is gonna drive you nuts. I'd take jayruta up on his offer.

My long rivet method is as follows. Use sharp bits and plenty of cutting oil. Drill your rivet half way through from each side. You might be tempted to drill all the way through from one side...don't. Every time I thought I was cool and tried it I managed to break a bit off in the trunnion. Go slow and back out frequently to clear the chips. I start with a 1/8" drill. Once the holes connect run the bit all the way through. then just start stepping up through your drill index 2-3 sizes at a time. Right about the time you hit #17 or so what's left of the rivet will walk right up the bit and out. No hammers. No broken punches. No stray marks on the trunnion.

Thats how i was taught to do it. and it works

[dwtt]

What I did was to drill almost through the rivet, but not all the way through, just past 3/4 way. You'll result with a blind hole in the rivet into which you can put a punch and drive the rivet out. By doing it this way, the rivet material will be put in tension and not compression since you are pulling it out by hitting it with a punch from the opposite side. This will make the rivet diameter contract a little bit since it's in tension and much easier to come out of the trunnion.

[Akers]

If you need some help let me know. In person help. I have all of the tools and tricks to get all rivets out.

[pterrell]

If you need some help let me know. In person help. I have all of the tools and tricks to get all rivets out.

I appreciate the offer. I'm meeting up with Jayruta today and he's going to give me a few pointers.

[sandeggo]

You're in good hands

[pterrell]

Thanks jayruta for getting me back on track! Back to cleaning for me.