AK Build ?s for Portland/Vancouver Area

[Coastie]

Looking for help w/ a few kit builds in the Clark County/Portland area. I'm thinking of building up a few receiver flats but don't have a jig or spot welder. Otherwise, where's a good place to buy AK receivers in this area?

Many thanks!

Coastie

[adam762]

Blackwell Industries. Just give MHG or bearwhositswhere a PM and ask them.

[Stoney]

The PDX show had them at twice the price of mail order.

[rcnpthfndr]

i would have to second matt and eric from blackwell, they built a smokin Tantal for me last week

[Erik the Red]

Hi Coastie,

My brother (Dation) and I are wanting to do the same thing as you. We have 3 friends that also want to build on their flats. James (gunpartsguy) has receiver flats, he is who we got ours from.
I do not have a Jig, but I want to get one. I know that Alfajim wanted to do a build party here in Portland, but no one had a Jig.
So if we have a Jig the party begins.

Thanks,
Erik

[ProGunOne]

Here's a suggestion if you fellows don't want to shell out the couple hundred for a bending jig. Contact KernelKrink, sign up on his waiting list, Rent his jig and set up a bending party??

http://www.akfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3612

[vern357]

Hey, I live in WA, if a build part happens I would love to come. Planning on taking the screw method right now, but if the parts were there would love to learn how to rivit.

Vernon

[Erik the Red]

Hi Everyone,

Sounds like we need someone who has a Bending Jig and knows how to use it, and a place to meet for the build party. I don't have enough room for a build party at my house, but if anyone else has room it would be greatly appreciated. Does anyone here have a large garage/shop or something similar that the party could take place in? I am sure that we could all chip in a few $'s each to make it worth your time.
I know we would all have a great time, and maybe make some new friends.

Thanks,
Erik

[vern357]

Afraid I don't, but alsto be glad to chip in $ and bring some munchies with my kit :)

[TheBigCA]

Of course, there's the option of purchasing your receivers bent. Ohio Ordnance Works is where I got mine, along with a friend. Then, we just had to do some holes, filing, riveting, fitting, etc.

I wouldn't mind trying out a flat sometime.

[vern357]

How did you attach the rails to the pre bent?

[Erik the Red]

How do we get this build party started? Does someone have a large shop that they wouldn't mind having it in? My brother and I might just buy a Jig, unless someone has one that they could bring.
There seems to be a decent amount of interest in having one here in Portland, it would be fun!

Thanks,
Erik

[Coastie]

I have a jig in Vancouver ... the one sold by Scott at DPH arms. I've done several flats and they turned out nice. I've got to move some stuff around in my garage before we can do much in there. I also have the spot welder - which seems to be working fine. The one thing I don't have is a usable trigger guard jig - the one I have doesn't work for crap.

I'm in Vancouver off of 503.

[Erik the Red]

Hi Coastie,

Thank you for being willing to have the party at your place.
Do you have any idea of when we could have the build party? Also would you be able to act as an instructor so we don't have so many mistakes?

Thanks,
Erik

[mhg]

Hey guys

I would be happy to help out.

Just give me some times and dates.

I might be able to come up with a triggerguard jig.

Matt

[vern357]

Well, I just got a cheap mig welder a week ago, and while I havn't got use it or practice with it yet, bet glad to bring it!

[Coastie]

Sorry for the delayed response - really busy!

It may be awhile before I can get things together at my place - but, the jig and I are portable if you want to meet somewhere else.

The only thing I can instruct on is how to bend a flat - I'm good at that. And I think I have the spot welding thing down. It's as far as I've gotten in the process. I haven't figured out the trigger guard deal yet.

my email is stewartohana@comcast.net

Of course, someone can always borrow the jig too (though I'd probably need some kind of collateral since the thing costs so much).

[Coastie]

Originally posted by Coastie
Sorry for the delayed response - really busy!

It may be awhile before I can get things together at my place - but, the jig and I are portable if you want to meet somewhere else.

The only thing I can instruct on is how to bend a flat - I'm good at that. And I think I have the spot welding thing down. It's as far as I've gotten in the process. I haven't figured out the trigger guard deal yet.

my email is stewartohana@comcast.net

Of course, someone can always borrow the jig too (though I'd probably need some kind of collateral since the thing costs so much).

by the way, there is a fella that posts regularly on the excellent AK-47 section of AR15.com that goes by "socandyman" that is located in Portland. He has offered to assist me in the past.

[fry]

Originally posted by mhg
Hey guys

I would be happy to help out.

Just give me some times and dates.

I might be able to come up with a triggerguard jig.

Matt

i just built a trigger guard jig. its at Kevins house, so i guess its his now. he would probably let me borrow it.

have a few kits and rec's laying about. it could be time to spool up and git out the hammer. im in.

you dont need to bring yours Matt, but you presence always makes for an interesting day.

its time for deltta to come up with something brilliant. we must re-conveen.

[Powderfinger]

Hey guys.... Me and haveanImbel here on the Files need to get in on this! Calling gun parts guy today for 3 sets. 2 for me and 1 for my buddy. We are off work April 8,9,15,22,23,30. May 27. June 3,4,10,11,17,18,25. TIA.
Brian

[mhg]

Originally posted by fry
but you presence always makes for an interesting day.

its time for deltta to come up with something brilliant. we must re-conveen.

Not sure on how to take that

Anyway, I can set you guys up with US parts and rivets.

Lemme know what you need and I can match or beat anyones prices


Matt

[fry]

Originally posted by mhg


Not sure on how to take that


Matt

dial 911, send more cops

[mhg]

Originally posted by fry


dial 911, send more cops


I bet you can't get those cuffs on me you big pussy

[fry]

mhg,
two days after the third annual ALL Fal Match at Clark Rifles on the 23th, we are going to have a demonstation by a private body armour company put on for laocal leo's including multiple federal agencies as well as county and city agencies.

it might be a good place to show off some of Blackwell Industries hardware and dealer samples, you know, the kind that cops like.

anyway should be interesting. i may be providing a 545X39 for testing.

[mhg]

Allright, i'll bring the trebuchet

But only if we can launch burning oil and dead cattle this time


Matt

[fry]

i much prefer using live cows.

[mhg]

Well you tie them down then.

Better yet, lets get Jake to do it


Matt

[Erik the Red]

Hi,

It sounds like this build party is going to happen, I would just like to know when and where it will be?

Thanks,
Erik

[Powderfinger]

Is it? Where? when?

Coastie:"Of course, someone can always borrow the jig too (though I'd probably need some kind of collateral since the thing costs so much)."

If no party happens, I would take you up on this. Please PM me with details.

[fry]

i really like the reverse doppler effect of the MOO screaming up off and out:D

[mhg]

It is cool how it comes and goes due to rotation


Matt

[Coastie]

Hi guys,

I'm trying to get my garage staightened out so folks can actually walk in it. I'm getting there (on top of other stuff I have going on). Have any of you ever completed a build? I just finished my prototype and boy did it take long. Of course, much of that was tooling up, learning, trial-and-error.

So, I suggest building in stages. First, get your barrels pressed out and remove rivits from the trunnions & triggerguard. I've done this successfully w/my 20ton press & drill press - though I'm not good enough to mess with someone elses stuff (don't mind risking my own junk!). Second stage is to bend the flats - which takes some time. I took me about a 1/2 hour each (maybe longer). The big chore is shaping the top rails w/a brass mallet. They come out nice, but it takes awhile. Heat treating can be done at the same time.

I'm not sure I would weld the lower welds right away. First, they should really be fitted up to the trunnion. Second, it's easier to work w/the triggerguard assembly w/out the rails in place. It's about a 10 minute job - no big deal w/a spot welder.

I don't have a good solution for the triggerguard yet. On the prototype, I threaded a backing plate for screws. It turned out nice, but riveting would be much better - once I work that part out.

The rest is pretty much the tedious part of drilling all of the trunnion holes & modifying the receiver as needed (my first build was a polish underfolder). The design is pretty doggone forgiving - I learned alot of lessons on the first one but it'll still work like a charm.

The rivets for the trunnions weren't that big a deal - my homemade harbor freight rivet squishers worked great. I used my vice and press for the long rivets. I actually used the drive screws you've been hearing about for the center support. That part turned out really nice. I have plenty is someone wants to try it out.

Pressing the barrel in was a big chore - I didn't mark the barrel & trunnion, so I had difficulty lining things up (I finally figured out a system for it). The barrel pin didn't want to go in - I ended up using a new one, which workd out quite nice.

So, how do you want to proceed. We can only bend one flat at a time. How many of you are interested in bending flats? Maybe you can come over at different times.

email me if you're interested. stewartohana@comcast.net

[Coastie]

by the way - it helped that I have a SAR-1 to study intensively throughout the build!

[mhg]

should I bring headspace gauges?

Matt

[Erik the Red]

Any updates on the build party?

Thanks,
Erik

[vern357]

Well, I know have a flat bending jig I could bring too.

[fry]

Originally posted by Erik the Red
Any updates on the build party?

Thanks,
Erik

we can do it at my shop if all y'all want . between kec, confed, mhg and myself i think we have just about everything from presses, jigs, air, the McGrimkin device and the wheel of death. we just need to set a date we can all live with.

[Erik the Red]

Hi Guys,

My brother and I will be in Europe from May 26th-June 17th, but before or after these dated would be fine.
I'm just debating whether I should buy up another AK kit or two, my brother and I have 2 kits and 4 flats total.
Should we buy rivit sets or will we be using screws?

Thanks,
Erik

[Erik the Red]

Hi guys,

We are back from our trip. Any updates of the build party?

Thanks,
Erik

[Powderfinger]

Originally posted by Erik the Red
Hi guys,

We are back from our trip. Any updates of the build party?

Thanks,
Erik

It looks like a lot of hot air. After trying to get word from coastie via e-mail twice and 1 PM reqest in this thread with no response, I bought a jig, a jack and built a press frame. It may be for sale soon in the Marketplace Forum after me and a couple of my buddies finish mashing some flats.:tongue:

How was Europe? What did you see? Always wanted to go see my ancestors stompin' grounds.:shades:

[Erik the Red]

Europe was great. We traveled to Germany, Austria, Hungary and Romania. We took over 1000 pictures and 7 hours of video! I'll have to go back someday, it was really a treat.
My brother and I really want to get these AK's built, our friends who bought kits at the same time as us are always bugging us about building these kits. Hopefully this build party will happen soon.

Thanks,
Erik

[fry]

we may have to rescue mhg from the unibomber cabin and git our builds on. yes?

[Powderfinger]

FWIW-the 14 dates that I listed in March that me an haveanimbel could help, came an went yesterday. mgh must be busy cuttin' hay to feed more ammo for the trebuchet. :wink:
The DPH ARMS jig I bought has an issue. There are no reccesses machined out for the dimples on the hammer and sear pin holes and the detents for the safety lever that my Tapco flats have. The clearance inside the female die (1.310" IIRC) will destroy these dimples. I have an e-mail to Scott at DPH to see what he thinks. If further machining for these dimples is needed, a friend will do it, and then the pressing starts. I need to go to the AK files and see what the gurus there have to say.

[Confed Pirate]

If you need help you can use my jig. I live in Vancouver

[fry]

right its setteled, we'll do it at your house

[Erik the Red]

So we just need to figure out a good day to do it. Sunday's after 1:00 PM would work out great for my Brother and I.

Thanks,
Erik

[fry]

kevin will be out of town. i will be at clark rifles inc all day, your welcome to come up and shoot though.

i think matty the munger will be down here in the middle of the week.

[Erik the Red]

Hi Fry,

Sorry my brother and I didn't make it out to the range Sunday, we were pretty busy that weekend. I hope you had fun. Drop me a PM next time your heading up, I would love to go.


So what's the status of the build party? Our Romy Kits are in desperate need of building.

Thanks,
Erik

[fry]

pm sent

[vern357]

Well, I have finished my 5th rifle, and am starting to get it down. I am using a hybrid screw/weld build, as if anything I tend to overbuild, but boy they are fun to shoot!

[Erik the Red]

Hi Guys,

I hope we will be able to get a build party going soon. We have been talking about having one for several months now and we still haven't had it.
Who all is interested in having a AK build party?

Thanks,
Erik

[Confed Pirate]

I'm ready to have one. but right know im currently working on a burner for the Park Tank. just traded some stuff for the Park Tank so very soon for Parking the AK soon. i need some new rivits have to order them too. but other then that im ready:)

[Erik the Red]

Hi Confed Pirate,

Keep us posted on when you would like to have the build party. I really appreciate your willingness to help us out.

Thanks,
Erik

[Erik the Red]

Any updates on the build party?

[Erik the Red]

I think its time to start planning a build party soon. Anyone have the space, the tools and the know how, please stand up. My AK kits are sitting there all sad :sad: and what not and need a build.

Thanks,
Erik

[renaissance_warrior]

That would be good to know. I'll do the drive and buy the beer! I'm in Spokane and have two to do. It would be a hoot!

Mark :beer:

[Stoney]

count me in

[andresere]

I live in Tigard, and I have a Romak 3 kit that I have been meaning to build for oh, about 3 years. I would like to come just to watch how rivits and such are done, plus get a chance to meet some of you.