a couple questions on ak builds

[osok-308]

So I've been interested in getting an AK for a while now, and I decided I'd like to build one from parts. So here are the questions I have after some research:
1. If i have all the required tools, how difficult is it to bend?
2. Is it easier to drill holes in an 80%?
3 I know the pros and cons of screw build vs rivets. Would it be a mistake to build with screws for now and replace later with rivets?

[beast556]

Answer for #3 Skip the screw builds They will fail with use.

[Wulf202]

screw builds don't fail if done correctly. If you're going to eventually do rivets just do them to start.

I prefer bending flats but it depends on the tools you have at hand

[blacklabel]

I didn't have a good experience with my screw build. Do it right and rivet it from the get go.

[zteknik]

Bending flats are easy,takes 10 minutes.
If you dont have a bender,theres a lot of us that do,or you can make one easy enough for less then $30 or so- http://www.gunco.net/forums/f163/very-poor-mans-bend-jig-lol-49527/

Now it is easy to drill the holes,but on some 80% like the Polish shells need trimming and other things done as well.
Screw builds are ok,but there a pain to keep re tightening,even with loctite they loosen up after a while.

Best advice would be do it on a Nodak reciever and call it done,but if you cant go that route flatbuild is the second best.The AKBuilder flats are to spec,and the top rails are allready bent.The holes for the hammer and trigger are marked with pilot holes as well as the center support.

Theres plenty of us willing to walk you through it if need be ;)

[jreifsch80]

Bending flats are easy,takes 10 minutes.
If you dont have a bender,theres a lot of us that do,or you can make one easy enough for less then $30 or so- http://www.gunco.net/forums/f163/very-poor-mans-bend-jig-lol-49527/

Now it is easy to drill the holes,but on some 80% like the Polish shells need trimming and other things done as well.
Screw builds are ok,but there a pain to keep re tightening,even with loctite they loosen up after a while.

Best advice would be do it on a Nodak reciever and call it done,but if you cant go that route flatbuild is the second best.The AKBuilder flats are to spec,and the top rails are allready bent.The holes for the hammer and trigger are marked with pilot holes as well as the center support.

Theres plenty of us willing to walk you through it if need be ;)

listen to Bob he makes the best receiver out of an ak builder flat ive ever seen

[osok-308]

Bending flats are easy,takes 10 minutes.
If you dont have a bender,theres a lot of us that do,or you can make one easy enough for less then $30 or so- http://www.gunco.net/forums/f163/very-poor-mans-bend-jig-lol-49527/

Now it is easy to drill the holes,but on some 80% like the Polish shells need trimming and other things done as well.
Screw builds are ok,but there a pain to keep re tightening,even with loctite they loosen up after a while.

Best advice would be do it on a Nodak reciever and call it done,but if you cant go that route flatbuild is the second best.The AKBuilder flats are to spec,and the top rails are allready bent.The holes for the hammer and trigger are marked with pilot holes as well as the center support.

Theres plenty of us willing to walk you through it if need be ;)

Thanks for the input! I'll probably go the route of bending A flat and hopefully have one of you experts teach me how it's done. I think I'll do the rivets as well so my AK will be "strong, like bull".

[osok-308]

Also, Jreifsch80, why do they call you the rachel ray of AKs? Is it because you can have one done in 30 minutes? [ROFL1]

[ldmaster]

heat treating the rails and installing the trunnion are the only points I found to be difficult. The AK has so much tolerance built into it's design concept it's really hard to mess it up.

[Great-Kazoo]

Also, Jreifsch80, why do they call you the rachel ray of AKs? Is it because you can have one done in 30 minutes? [ROFL1]

Only if he's not talking;) best time to date is 1 hr w/out RR being on site.

[jreifsch80]

Also, Jreifsch80, why do they call you the rachel ray of AKs? Is it because you can have one done in 30 minutes? [ROFL1]

lol the answer to that question is even funnier than you can imagine (to some people) here's the post but jim the guys that were there can fill in the blanks


http://www.ar-15.co/threads/50205-This-is-why-we-call