AK noob questions

[alphadog58]

How deep does one drill out the blind rivets on a barrel trunnion? What size drill should I use?

Larry

[RottenII]

Start small, like 1/16 or 3/32. Then I usually move up to 1/8 and then 5/32. By then I can usually remove the remainder with a punch. As far as depth, the only way to do it right is press out the barrel pin, then the barrel and then you can just drill them right through.

[TheOtherChris]

Unless you're planning a screw build, I have not found a reason to drill the rivets.

Just pop the barrel pin and press out the barrel.
Then grind the heads off the rivets and punch the stems out.

Or, if you're any good with a TIG welder, you don't have to remove the barrel at all. Just grind the rivet heads flush with the receiver stub (leaving the stems proud of the trunnion) and weld the new receiver to the stubs.
Done.

That's what I did with this one:
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g154/TheOtherChris/1fb63a1b.jpg

As always, the foregoing should not be considered advice and the services of a competent gunsmith should be sought.....yadayadayada.

[RottenII]

Originally posted by TheOtherChris
[B]Unless you're planning a screw build, I have not found a reason to drill the rivets.
]

I've found it possible to just punch some out without drilling but others have sent a number of of my punches to the bent punch graveyard.

[gunplumber]

there is only ONE Kind of build. a rivit build anything else is a poor excuse.

That guns work with other methods and only a few people have seriously injured themselves, is a credit to the design, not an affirmation of half-assed techniques.

[Drtrumpet]

Best way is as described before:

1 Push out axis pin
2 Press out barrel
3 Grind rivets flat
4 Punch out rivets W/punch and hammer

I cant see how screws are easier than a rivet build...

[alphadog58]

Thanks much guys. Next question, What is the preferred method for installing the new rivets? I'm using Curtis' rivet set. Hammer and drift, hydraulic press, or...? Curtis' riveting fixture looks pretty trick, I could fabricate something like it, but its a bit of work, and I'm only building one rifle. This is a first for me, don't want to mess it up.

Larry

[mhg]

Originally posted by alphadog58
Thanks much guys. Next question, What is the preferred method for installing the new rivets? I'm using Curtis' rivet set. Hammer and drift, hydraulic press, or...? Curtis' riveting fixture looks pretty trick, I could fabricate something like it, but its a bit of work, and I'm only building one rifle. This is a first for me, don't want to mess it up.

Larry

The boltcutter tool works good in a pinch

Matt

[TheOtherChris]

Originally posted by mhg


The boltcutter tool works good in a pinch

Matt

Yep, that's my choice also.

I've built several with one of these:

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g154/TheOtherChris/RivetSquisher.jpg

[tracyballard]

here's another newbie question - what's a trunnion??





I gather it is some piece that somehow attaches to the receiver and is involved in holding the barrel in place? Like the threaded end on a milled type receiver such as a FAL's? Do all stamped receivers have trunnions, milled ones don't????

[ratas calientes]

Originally posted by gunplumber
there is only ONE Kind of build. a rivit [sic] build anything else is a poor excuse.

That guns work with other methods and only a few people have seriously injured themselves, is a credit to the design, not an affirmation of half-assed techniques. Don't hold back Mark. Tell us how you really feel. http://chilirat.com/emoticons/chilirat.gif

[ratas calientes]

Originally posted by tracyballard
here's another newbie question - what's a trunnion??

I gather it is some piece that somehow attaches to the receiver and is involved in holding the barrel in place? Like the threaded end on a milled type receiver such as a FAL's? Do all stamped receivers have trunnions, milled ones don't???? The trunnion is the metal piece that mounts the barrel to the sheet metal receiver, or it can mount the stock to the receiver. Each one also counts as a part for 922R purposes. http://chilirat.com/emoticons/chilirat.gif

[WJ-Polish Guy]

Originally posted by tracyballard
here's another newbie question - what's a trunnion??

... Do all stamped receivers have trunnions, milled ones don't????

On milled receivers "trunions" are integral parts of the receivers.

[tracyballard]

it's all coming together now...

[WJ-Polish Guy]

Originally posted by gunplumber
there is only ONE Kind of build. a rivit build anything else is a poor excuse.

That guns work with other methods and only a few people have seriously injured themselves, is a credit to the design, not an affirmation of half-assed techniques.

Totally agree, have "sticky" threads to prove it hehe. Couple of years passed since flame wars and I see those "early" (for some) Mickey Mouse builds sold for parts all over the boards for cheap:rofl:

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/3261608-03-2007_324_Small_.jpg
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/32616Trunion_rivet_jig_001_Small_.jpg

[ratas calientes]

Originally posted by WJ-Polish Guy
Totally agree, have "sticky" threads to prove it hehe. Couple of years passed since flame wars and I see those "early" (for some) Mickey Mouse builds sold for parts all over the boards for cheap:rofl:

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/3261608-03-2007_324_Small_.jpg
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/32616Trunion_rivet_jig_001_Small_.jpg Nice setup. Can you explain how it works? http://chilirat.com/emoticons/chilirat.gif

[WJ-Polish Guy]

Originally posted by ratas calientes
Nice setup. Can you explain how it works?

This is basicly Plinker jig, just industrial strenght.
From 1 thru 4 you have different arms, left sire, right side, different lenght etc.
On first the pic jig is set up for long Yugo rivet, there is a buck that can be unscrewed from the bottom to hold the ricet head.
5, 6, 7 differnt rivert bucks made specially for yugo. I need to get more of those as I find rivet heads vary widely.
8 is a shim.
Jig comes with two sizes of clamps, small is pictured, large one not.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/32616Dimple_tool_Small_.jpg

These are dimple tool for swell necks and long rivet preforming tool

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/12242007_001_Small_.jpg

[WJ-Polish Guy]

This is dual purpose jig that allow pressing out the barrel from trunion in configuration pictured and pressing out/instaling barrel pin with receiver clamped flat

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/32616Barrelingjigs_001.jpg



http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/12242007_039_Small_.jpg

[WJ-Polish Guy]

Trigger guard jig, will do 4 front rivets and then with insert and different ram end witll do 3 yugo rear rivets.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/32616Trigger_guard_jig_001_Small_.jpg

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/Project_003_Small_.jpg

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/12242007_005_Small_.jpg

[WJ-Polish Guy]

Barreling setup. This is real stuff, made to incase the receiver inside to prevent damage

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/12242007_037_Small_.jpg

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/12242007_034_Small_.jpg

[WJ-Polish Guy]

Barrel vise

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/12242007_030_Small_.jpg

[alphadog58]

Nice fixtures WJ, machine shop tools are fun to play with and make stuff. Almost as much fun making jigs and fixtures as making guns.

Larry

[WJ-Polish Guy]

Originally posted by alphadog58
Nice fixtures WJ, machine shop tools are fun to play with and make stuff. Almost as much fun making jigs and fixtures as making guns.

Larry

It is amazing how right tools take pain of building away....:aug: