First ak build. Looking at hungarian ak63 and amm/amms kits

[Mikeym_us]

Toth Tools makes the rivet crusher jaws for the harbor freight bolt cutters.
http://www.tothtool.com/Rivet-Jaws-for-24-Bolt-Cutters_p_10.html

It takes a variety of tools to crush rivets.
A brief on the work-arounds are>>>

Purchase a 24" bolt cutter from Harbor freight and grind the jaws for crushing.

Creale several "bucking" plates.  These are 3.16" +/- thick 1 inch metal squares with dimples formed in them with drill and Dremel stone.  They are used to form the rivet shop head. These are used in conjunction with the bolt cutter crusher and in a large shop vise to crush the long or through rivets.

Create a bucking punch by divoting the face of a 5/16" pin punch.  This used in a vise placed dimpled face up and the rivets in the trigger guard are set by placing each rivet down on the divoted punch face and then using a similar flat face punch to hammer set the rivets from inside the receiver.

These are in lieu of several hundred dollars worth of jigs.

Removing and installing a barrel without a press is a bit different.  But there are threaded rod methods.  Google and there are relatively inexpensive jigs for the ends of the rod that can be purchased.

Google and U-tube are your friend. You need to do a lot of research etc.

Yes., already noted but for $18 you buy the bolt cutter at Harbor Freight and mod it yourself vs the $65 for the Toth jaws.  There are hundreds of pages on the www and U-tube videos on building, making tools and alternative build techniques.  The off the shelf tools are relatively new.  Recognizing everyone cannot make all the tools but there are ways to create adequate ones and other methods vs the $300-$500 in tool cost etc.

True but if you goof up on it say 4 times and get the rivet crusher mods correct in the 5th attempt you would have just spent $90 you could have bought the conversion kit and the bolt cutter for that much. Heck I'm already into my AK-74 build by $170 just for a 120V Spot Welder.

[zoom6zoom]

nitride is harder than chrome, and may also be more accurate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS8WK0TioPM

I watched the video, one thing I missed is if black nitride is better than chrome for resisting the effects of corrosive ammo.

Any ideas?

Larry

As I recall, this was mentioned in the video, and the answer was nitride is better than chrome in pretty much every way including corrosion resistance.

[LESchwartz]

As I recall, this was mentioned in the video, and the answer was nitride is better than chrome in pretty much every way including corrosion resistance.

Corrosive ammo is a whole different ball game than typical corrosion resistance needed by on the outer surfaces.  Given the amount of 7N6 I have in long term storage, I was looking for something more than a passing reference in a vendor sponsored video.

I't likely I'll continue to try to stick with chrome lined, unless something more definitive comes along.

Larry

[LESchwartz]

The off the shelf tools are relatively new.

I've been in the AK build game since early 2004, lots of entrepreneurs have been selling tools since late 2004 when the AWB sunset.

Larry

[AKBLUE]

Toth Tools makes the rivet crusher jaws for the harbor freight bolt cutters.
http://www.tothtool.com/Rivet-Jaws-for-24-Bolt-Cutters_p_10.html

It takes a variety of tools to crush rivets.
A brief on the work-arounds are>>>

Purchase a 24" bolt cutter from Harbor freight and grind the jaws for crushing.

Creale several "bucking" plates.  These are 3.16" +/- thick 1 inch metal squares with dimples formed in them with drill and Dremel stone.  They are used to form the rivet shop head. These are used in conjunction with the bolt cutter crusher and in a large shop vise to crush the long or through rivets.

Create a bucking punch by divoting the face of a 5/16" pin punch.  This used in a vise placed dimpled face up and the rivets in the trigger guard are set by placing each rivet down on the divoted punch face and then using a similar flat face punch to hammer set the rivets from inside the receiver.

These are in lieu of several hundred dollars worth of jigs.

Removing and installing a barrel without a press is a bit different.  But there are threaded rod methods.  Google and there are relatively inexpensive jigs for the ends of the rod that can be purchased.

Google and U-tube are your friend. You need to do a lot of research etc.

Yes., already noted but for $18 you buy the bolt cutter at Harbor Freight and mod it yourself vs the $65 for the Toth jaws.  There are hundreds of pages on the www and U-tube videos on building, making tools and alternative build techniques.  The off the shelf tools are relatively new.  Recognizing everyone cannot make all the tools but there are ways to create adequate ones and other methods vs the $300-$500 in tool cost etc.

True but if you goof up on it say 4 times and get the rivet crusher mods correct in the 5th attempt you would have just spent $90 you could have bought the conversion kit and the bolt cutter for that much. Heck I'm already into my AK-74 build by $170 just for a 120V Spot Welder.

If that reflects your shop skills and attitude then building an AK might be a big challenge for you.  Grinding the jaws is not rocket science. Goods Luck.

[ryan 1215]

As i live in an apt currently and dont have any other "pressing" needs for a shop press right now i am trying to avoid the more expensive jigs that require said press. I do like the look and function of the toth tools that crush by tightening bolts. I have searched briefly the last few days and havent been able to find much in the way of homemade bolt tightening rivet crushing jigs that dont require a shop press. I have seen some guys used arbor presses with some success and of course the BFH method and modified bolts drilled out to cup the rivet heads. At this stage I am strongly consider buying the bolt cutter jaws, trigger guard rivet jig, and the barrel installation and removal tool. I guess in retrospect those tools arent super expensive, 245 for tools listed without the long rivet tool, i could just space out purchasing so to feel less of a sting. I keep thinking though that these simple tools could be replicated.

[LESchwartz]

At this point in the discussion, I might suggest locating a "build party" in your area.  Another alternative might be to make friends with an experienced builder in your area and ask him to teach you the ropes.

BTW, I'm in Minnesota.

Larry

[ryan 1215]

I wish we had build parties in my state but its not the most free state. Build parties were few and far between before FUAC but now they are nonexistent.

[ryan 1215]

Picked up my kit from UPS today! Looks great! All the metal is in great shape and I am loving that they demilled the front trunnion when the installed the new US barrel! Now to start grinding and drilling some rivets.

[Mikeym_us]

If you need a heat treated blank and rails for the AK63 here is a Hungarian AK blank from Recreator Blanks which has the Hungarian selector marks.

http://www.recreatorblanks.com/#!online-store/c1v9z/!/Hungarian-AK47-Hardened/p/50161298/category=13059037

[ryan 1215]

Thanks for the link! That may be an option i consider. Their drilling jig doesnt seem to havea cutout for the folding stock mount though. There has to be a template online somewhere. Nodak its still a viable option although i am tempted by these recievers and the off book/ homemade serial # and label benefit as well as the price when you are doin a few.

[Mikeym_us]

Thanks for the link! That may be an option i consider. Their drilling jig doesnt seem to havea cutout for the folding stock mount though. There has to be a template online somewhere. Nodak its still a viable option although i am tempted by these recievers and the off book/ homemade serial # and label benefit as well as the price when you are doin a few.

The drilling jig is for drilling out the FCG, center support , selector lever holes and trigger guard holes. Are you sure you bought a AK63 I thought those were under folders while the AMD65 was side folder?

[ryan 1215]

Yes i have an ak63d with the underfolder.

[Mikeym_us]

Yes i have an ak63d with the underfolder.

Just buy this Hungarian parts kit for your fixed stock AK and build the AK-63 as is.

http://ak-builder.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=30680

[ryan 1215]

I looked at that kit too but it looks like i can save some money buy ordering another underfolder and selling the rear trunnion and underfolder stock to pay for fixed stock trunnion and fixed stock. How much do you know about the recreator 80% recievers? If i add the rails will they come welded on or will i need to do that? Would i just have to drill and ream out the hole for the underfolder? I am seriously considering the recreator because of the off book and price benefit even with purchasing jig it is cheaper than two nodaks and the ffl transfer.