MY FIRST BUILD

**308/223shooter** · February 18, 2006, 22:52

Since I can't afford to go out and buy all of the FAL types I'd like to own,I want to start buying kits and build my own.If anything,I'll learn a new skill.Since I've caught the FAL bug, I can't get enough to fill my home safe.Well,I could if I had the cash.Anyway,I would like to know what tools and equipment I'll need to build a safe and reliable rifle from a kit.I have a dealer who can get the receivers.Any help would be greatly apreciated.I'm interested in inch and metric versions,including any purpose built sniper variations.I'm not an expert on these rifles,I just think they are probably one of the best designed battle rifles ever made.

**bykerhd** · February 18, 2006, 23:13

FALs can be built with very simple tools. It's a lot easier if you invest in some tools made for the purpose. Especially if you plan to build more than one. A gentleman who goes by the handle of ratas calientes over in the Marketplace Forum can sell you a very decent barrel vise and receiver wrench for quite reasonable prices. Pin guages are useful for determining headspace. Check the Marketplace also for moses who can help you on that. You can also buy them from tool supply companies like MSC. There are a few specialized FAL tools including a buttstock tool, extractor tool, front sight tool and a gas nut wrench which make life easier. You need some decent gunsmithing screwdivers, pin punches, a large hammer, and some antiseptic and Band-Aids and then you should be ready to start.

Aifwikir · February 18, 2006, 23:33

Assembly equipment:
You should get a pin guage set (I got all even numbers), a receiver wrench, and a 1-1/16th open end wrench, a chainsaw file, a BFS (Big F'in Screwdriver), 22 cal cleaning rod (for the recoil springs or a recoil spring removal tool).
Finish equipment: Get an Airbrush ($9.00 at hobby store), your choice duracoat, Moly-Resin, or store bought Dupli-Color Flat Black 1200 degree paint. Make a blast cabinette out of a cardboard box with Saran Wrap for the window (easy change out).

All these are cheap tools. You can go more expensive but the whole idea is to keep the cost down.
I make my own 1 time use receiver wrenches out 3/4"plywood. Read up on building and trouble shooting. Check the FAQ threads. Ask questions!! There's a lot of people here that will help out.

Oh yeah,, I almost forgot, A Dremel Tool is manditory, as are Band-aids, Steri-strips, Betadyne, and lots of dremel cut off wheels.
Good luck on your FAL quest!

Aif

762holes · February 19, 2006, 05:34

Quote:

Originally posted by 308/223shooter
I'm interested in inch and metric versions,including any purpose built sniper variations.

Where do you want to start?

There are so many variations it's a collectors dream (or ruin).

If you are interested in military type FAL's, there are no real sniper versions, just FAL's with a scope. There are heavy barrel FAL's but they were used in a light machine gun role rather than a dedicated sniper.

Inch FAL's are pretty straight forward, it started with the FAL Canada, then the U.S. trials rifles, then the rifle steering comitee of the U.K. started standardizing parts between the Australian, Canadian and British FAL's.

The metric FAL is where it gets interesting. Lots of countries used unique versions of the FAL built in Belgium. Many countries made their own FAL's. The mold was set by the Germans. Many features of their G1 version were standardized on the metric FAL, but because of Germany's history of invading Belgium and taking over production at FN, Germany was not issued a liscense to produce FAL's, all G1's were Belgian built. Then Austria, Brazil, Argentina, Israel and South Africa obtained liscenses and built their own metric FAL's. Finally there is India who didn't obtain a liscense but built their own weird inch/metric version of the FAL any way. I hope I didn't forget any one.

I have decided to collect liscensed metric FAL's, like an Imbel kit built on an Imbel receiver, an Argentine kit built on an Argentine receiver, an Israeli kit on an Israeli receiver, etc. Some of those will be too nice to shoot, so I'll have shooters as well. So far I have plans for 11-12 FAL's and parts for 7 of them.

If you are serious about starting a collection, buy some parts kits now. You can get a South African, Imbel or G1 kit for around $200 and they have a barrel. When the cheap kits with barrels dry up, we will see the same price gouging that Imbel receivers have now. Today, you should be able to get a very nice kit for under $400. I bought an awesome kit from gun parts guy for under $500, it had all new and refinished parts and five 922(r) compliance parts. It's a mix of STG, South African and Inch parts with american furniture, but all the parts are nice and it made a great shooter. You can buy a cheaper kit and you can buy a better kit but you will never find a better kit cheaper.

With the price Imbels are demanding, I can't reccomend any receiver other than DSA. If your FFL gives you a good deal you might want to stock up before DSA decides to cash in and raise prices.

Since I decided to get a whole bunch of FAL's, it was an easy decision to get a barrel vise, a receiver wrench, headspace guages, locking shoulder guage and a barrel timing guage. Most people buy the tools so that they can build a FAL cheaper, but if you buy a premium parts kit and a good receiver, it's almost impossible to build a FAL for less than dealer price on a DSA STG58, but it will be a lot more unique and probably a better investment.

VAFisher · February 19, 2006, 08:13

Man that was a great write up on these great weapons. Those of us that have been in this a while take some of this for granted. Anyway I wanted to pat you on your back a little for this. It's great to get new people in to this and supply the help needed.

Powderfinger · February 19, 2006, 13:20

I'm just a hobby builder and no expert, so YMMV. I have never owned a Dremel or needed one and have managed to barrel and headspace 2 FAL's of my own (the first 1 twice as the G-1 barrel had a bad chamber) and 1 with a buddy. I am re-doing my current keeper with an Imbel rec. as I felt the CAI rec. ( a POS) didn't do the like new STG kit justice. I have a commercially bought rec. wrench, pin gauges and headspace gauges. A homemade barrel vice and buttstock tool. I did borrow a knockoff version of a Dremel once to grind flush and polish the welds on an AK build, but everyone knows an AK has to be rivited.

I'm also not an official WECSOG member either as I have yet to draw blood while DIY gunsmithing.

**308/223shooter** · February 19, 2006, 19:14

I just today took a short cut and bought yosemitysam357's STGcarbine. For the price I couldn't pass it up. I'll post some pics soon, first I HAVE to try it out. Sam is a good guy,the STG is everything he said it was. I already have the basic tools, I just need the know how and specialty tools for assembly. I plan on being a new WECSOG member soon. When I graduate do I get a Wile E. diploma? It'd look cool on my wall. I always liked him 'cause no matter how many times he got bashed, he never gave up.

Powderfinger · February 19, 2006, 19:48

762holes gives a good synopsis. FYI the first 20,000 Stg-58s were built at the FN factory for Austria. Serial #'s above that were Steyr built. It seems the hammer forged Steyr barrels give exceptional accuacy.

Have fun with your new STG

762holes · February 19, 2006, 20:18

All of the contries that manufactured FAL's started off with a sizeable order of Belgian built FAL's. I left out that bit of information.

I think I heard that Bolivia made some FAL's also.

All of the information required to build a FAL from a kit is available on the FAL files. Like I said before the specialty tools are a barrel vise, a receiver wrench, headspace guages, locking shoulder guages and a barrel timing guage. You will also need a big breaker bar or you can make a strong handle for the receiver wrench. A good heavy work bench to mount your barrel vise or a good bench vise to clamp the barrel vise in is also required.

It's not rocket science. As long as your parts are in spec, you should not have any major problems. That's why I recomend DSA receivers. If it's out of spec, return it, but from what I hear, it will probably be in spec. Parts kits are usualy in spec because they came off of working rifles.

February 18, 2006, 22:52	#1
308/223shooter Airborne Combat Engineer Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 15405 Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: pacific northwest Posts: 2,281	MY FIRST BUILD Since I can't afford to go out and buy all of the FAL types I'd like to own,I want to start buying kits and build my own.If anything,I'll learn a new skill.Since I've caught the FAL bug, I can't get enough to fill my home safe.Well,I could if I had the cash.Anyway,I would like to know what tools and equipment I'll need to build a safe and reliable rifle from a kit.I have a dealer who can get the receivers.Any help would be greatly apreciated.I'm interested in inch and metric versions,including any purpose built sniper variations.I'm not an expert on these rifles,I just think they are probably one of the best designed battle rifles ever made.

February 18, 2006, 23:33	#3
Aifwikir Registered FALaholic #: 2187 Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Magazine, Arkansas Posts: 3,061	Assembly equipment: You should get a pin guage set (I got all even numbers), a receiver wrench, and a 1-1/16th open end wrench, a chainsaw file, a BFS (Big F'in Screwdriver), 22 cal cleaning rod (for the recoil springs or a recoil spring removal tool). Finish equipment: Get an Airbrush ($9.00 at hobby store), your choice duracoat, Moly-Resin, or store bought Dupli-Color Flat Black 1200 degree paint. Make a blast cabinette out of a cardboard box with Saran Wrap for the window (easy change out). All these are cheap tools. You can go more expensive but the whole idea is to keep the cost down. I make my own 1 time use receiver wrenches out 3/4"plywood. Read up on building and trouble shooting. Check the FAQ threads. Ask questions!! There's a lot of people here that will help out. Oh yeah,, I almost forgot, A Dremel Tool is manditory, as are Band-aids, Steri-strips, Betadyne, and lots of dremel cut off wheels. Good luck on your FAL quest! Aif __________________ Cosmo the Lene,,, Smeller of old grease! http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m...ber3575new.jpg

February 19, 2006, 08:13	#5
VAFisher Registered FALaholic #: 18135 Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 483	762holes Man that was a great write up on these great weapons. Those of us that have been in this a while take some of this for granted. Anyway I wanted to pat you on your back a little for this. It's great to get new people in to this and supply the help needed.

February 19, 2006, 13:20	#6
Powderfinger Registered Contributor FALaholic #: 12897 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: WA state Posts: 3,754	I'm just a hobby builder and no expert, so YMMV. I have never owned a Dremel or needed one and have managed to barrel and headspace 2 FAL's of my own (the first 1 twice as the G-1 barrel had a bad chamber) and 1 with a buddy. I am re-doing my current keeper with an Imbel rec. as I felt the CAI rec. ( a POS) didn't do the like new STG kit justice. I have a commercially bought rec. wrench, pin gauges and headspace gauges. A homemade barrel vice and buttstock tool. I did borrow a knockoff version of a Dremel once to grind flush and polish the welds on an AK build, but everyone knows an AK has to be rivited. I'm also not an official WECSOG member either as I have yet to draw blood while DIY gunsmithing. __________________ The world's greatest forger is unknown. Truth is the cry of all, but the game of few. George Berkely Last edited by Powderfinger; February 19, 2006 at 19:51.

February 19, 2006, 19:48	#8
Powderfinger Registered Contributor FALaholic #: 12897 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: WA state Posts: 3,754	762holes gives a good synopsis. FYI the first 20,000 Stg-58s were built at the FN factory for Austria. Serial #'s above that were Steyr built. It seems the hammer forged Steyr barrels give exceptional accuacy. Have fun with your new STG __________________ The world's greatest forger is unknown. Truth is the cry of all, but the game of few. George Berkely

February 18, 2006, 23:13	#2
bykerhd Dinosaur Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 2798 Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Burlington Vermont area Posts: 13,262	FALs can be built with very simple tools. It's a lot easier if you invest in some tools made for the purpose. Especially if you plan to build more than one. A gentleman who goes by the handle of ratas calientes over in the Marketplace Forum can sell you a very decent barrel vise and receiver wrench for quite reasonable prices. Pin guages are useful for determining headspace. Check the Marketplace also for moses who can help you on that. You can also buy them from tool supply companies like MSC. There are a few specialized FAL tools including a buttstock tool, extractor tool, front sight tool and a gas nut wrench which make life easier. You need some decent gunsmithing screwdivers, pin punches, a large hammer, and some antiseptic and Band-Aids and then you should be ready to start.

February 19, 2006, 19:14	#7
308/223shooter Airborne Combat Engineer Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 15405 Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: pacific northwest Posts: 2,281	I just today took a short cut and bought yosemitysam357's STGcarbine. For the price I couldn't pass it up. I'll post some pics soon, first I HAVE to try it out. Sam is a good guy,the STG is everything he said it was. I already have the basic tools, I just need the know how and specialty tools for assembly. I plan on being a new WECSOG member soon. When I graduate do I get a Wile E. diploma? It'd look cool on my wall. I always liked him 'cause no matter how many times he got bashed, he never gave up.

February 19, 2006, 20:18	#9
762holes Registered FALaholic #: 18265 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Silicon Valley Posts: 236	All of the contries that manufactured FAL's started off with a sizeable order of Belgian built FAL's. I left out that bit of information. I think I heard that Bolivia made some FAL's also. All of the information required to build a FAL from a kit is available on the FAL files. Like I said before the specialty tools are a barrel vise, a receiver wrench, headspace guages, locking shoulder guages and a barrel timing guage. You will also need a big breaker bar or you can make a strong handle for the receiver wrench. A good heavy work bench to mount your barrel vise or a good bench vise to clamp the barrel vise in is also required. It's not rocket science. As long as your parts are in spec, you should not have any major problems. That's why I recomend DSA receivers. If it's out of spec, return it, but from what I hear, it will probably be in spec. Parts kits are usualy in spec because they came off of working rifles.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode