AK Build Party?

[safaridave]

Wait... I thought that upsetting some libbys would be a perk to the project?

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You would think, but I dont want to have to deal with the smell....

[Remek]

^^^^ True, that's a benefit I look for in anything I do.

[tinner666]

What part of the state? I can't firmly offer any help at this time, but who knows, I may be able to offer my dank warehouse/shop. I doubt I have any of the necessary tools needed beyond 'regular' tools and a press.
As for a shooting range, it's in S. RIchmond and shooting won't be allowed unless some of the local bangers drop in. Condition 1 is reccomended if this even comes about. I have a lot on my plate, so I can't offer with any certainty.
I'd like to watch and learn no matter where the BP happens though. No AK's or SKS's for me in my plans though.

[safaridave]

What part of the state? I can't firmly offer any help at this time, but who knows, I may be able to offer my dank warehouse/shop. I doubt I have any of the necessary tools needed beyond 'regular' tools and a press.
As for a shooting range, it's in S. RIchmond and shooting won't be allowed unless some of the local bangers drop in. Condition 1 is reccomended if this even comes about. I have a lot on my plate, so I can't offer with any certainty.
I'd like to watch and learn no matter where the BP happens though. No AK's or SKS's for me in my plans though.

I would like it to be within 2 hours of driving time from Richmond. I live in Chesterfield myself. That means this BP could be anywhere from Fredricksburg to VA Beach... I'm new here so I dont know whats 2 hours west from Richmond... Farmville?

If anyone is thinking of hosting, the plan would be for everyone bringing tools to come and set up stations a little before the BP.

Remember, we dont just need the special tools, we need common ones like drill presses, dremel tools, common hand tools (pliers, hammers, punches etc). ALSO anyone who has experience headspacing (GO-NOGO gauges)

One thing we could REALLY use is a person who has experience riveting. I have some, but only two builds worth. 762 has the Toth rivet jaws... so his experience may be just what we are looking for. Good riveting makes the rifle.

Oh, and Tinner... I work close to Shockoe Bottom. I know what you mean about S. Richmond. Keep your powder dry, my friend...

[tinner666]

I have a drill press or two. I'll have to speak to my neighbor on the corner. He has a complete machine shop. I probably have some mics, etc.. I have a 20-30 ton press and benches. Torch, MIG, and even burners for a tank. I'd have to build a tank, Just not sure how to fit it into a schedule.

[tinner666]

I'm n the quiet area of S. Richmond. Blackwell, just out of Hillside Ct. area. Nobody's been shot, stabbed, or robbed in a least a week now, I think. Just off Cowardin and Decatur.

[Jakeiscrazy]

I also have a drill press, and two dremels. However the drill press is a cheaply harbor freight one. Not sure how accurate it needs to be. I guess I would also need a vice.

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[dorminWS]

So how big a metal tank do you guys need? If I were going to put burners under it, I'd think flashing would be too thin, and aluminum might react with the parkerizing fluid. wouldn't you really need something like 1/8 - 1/4 inch thick mild steel? I might know how you could get one if I knew what size.

[safaridave]

So how big a metal tank do you guys need? If I were going to put burners under it, I'd think flashing would be too thin, and aluminum might react with the parkerizing fluid. wouldn't you really need something like 1/8 - 1/4 inch thick mild steel? I might know how you could get one if I knew what size.

I think a good size would be around 40x6x6 inches. 16 gauge stainless would be nice. Perhaps stainless is a requirement... we dont want the Park solution to react with the tank itself.

If anyone wants to do an RPK or other long AK build then we need to make sure the park tank will contain it. 40 inches long may be a hair too short... not sure.

[dorminWS]

So how big a metal tank do you guys need? If I were going to put burners under it, I'd think flashing would be too thin, and aluminum might react with the parkerizing fluid. wouldn't you really need something like 1/8 - 1/4 inch thick mild steel? I might know how you could get one if I knew what size.

I think a good size would be around 40x6x6 inches. 16 gauge stainless would be nice. Perhaps stainless is a requirement... we dont want the Park solution to react with the tank itself.

If anyone wants to do an RPK or other long AK build then we need to make sure the park tank will contain it. 40 inches long may be a hair too short... not sure.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The stuff comes in 48" x 96" sheets. Might as well make it 48" longs as to make it 40". Other consideration, I guess, would be that the bigger the tank the more solution required. I could probably get 12 or 16 gauge stainless welded up into a 48" x 6" x 6" tank. But I'm a day's drive from most of you, and I don't need to build an AK. But I'd probably do that just out of neighborliness if you actually get the rest of it together and actually do the build - and if you can get it from where I am to where you are.

[safaridave]

I would be happy to pay the shipping.

[dorminWS]

I'll check on getting it done. Let me know when it's the last thing you need.

[762]

Can a park tank be some sort of plastic or polymer?

My experience with riveting is with aluminum for aircraft purposes (a&p by trade). Using the squeezer is the easiest for even a novice and will provide great consistency and quality of finished rivets. This is because it takes a lot of human error out of the equation. There are no smiley faces to worry about (when the sheetmetal is hit by the rivet peen instead of the rivet) and the rivet tail is more consistent due to constant pressure vs holding a bucking bar consistently on the back of it.

I have a bench vice that can be used in a garage that I've got. It's not insulated. Test firing can also be done as I live out in the country. I do not have a press or drill press, though. I do have a hand drill, quite a few hand tools to use, as well as a dremel.

ETA: I'm near Harrisonburg.

[bryanrheem]

Harrisonburg is a place I can definitely get to if that is the decided location. It's 2 hours from Richmond which is the stated requirement.

[safaridave]

Out in the country? Test fire on site?

Houston... we have a go. SITE CONFIRMED.

All we have to do now is make sure we have all the tools we need and pick a date.

I will bring my 12 ton press. its brand new. I also have a cheap HF drill press, but I am not confident in its precision. It seems to rattle a bit.

We already have a commitment from dorminWS to build us a 48x6x6 park tank when we are ready to finalize the BP details. We need propane burners to keep it heated.

I will follow up this post with an official list of tool needs and who is bringing them.

[dorminWS]

I'd suggest you might be able to just use a propane grill. They have those long tubular burners and a fair degree of temp control. May have to steal a burner out of one, since I suppose they aren't 48" ling - unless you can just set it longways across the top of the grill and cover the open part of the grill top not covered by the tank with some metal sheets. Or perhaps 2 Coleman stoves set end to end. 2-3 turkey fryer-type burners would work, but I'm thinking they would be mighty high output.

[Jakeiscrazy]

I'd suggest you might be able to just use a propane grill. They have those long tubular burners and a fair degree of temp control. May have to steal a burner out of one, since I suppose they aren't 48" ling - unless you can just set it longways across the top of the grill and cover the open part of the grill top not covered by the tank with some metal sheets. Or perhaps 2 Coleman stoves set end to end. 2-3 turkey fryer-type burners would work, but I'm thinking they would be mighty high output.

+1 on the Coleman stoves, I might even have two. I know I have one. I'll check and fire them up. They're old school white gas!

[tinner666]

Safari, I sent a PM/Email to you about some equipment you may be able to use. The detailed one didn't go because the forum somehow logged me out while typing and I didn't save it. Give me a call whenever you want.

[safaridave]

Thanks Tinner... Ill give you a call this week.

FYI anyone thinking of joining the BP should check out my MAK-90 rebuild diary in the large gun and assault rifle forum. I am going through the demil process at the moment.

[safaridave]

Okay here is the commitment list--
SITE- Harrisonburg (762's place)

TOOLS-

Flat Die + punches- Safaridave ( have all the punches from 1mm to 1.5mm)
Toth rivet jaws- 762
Long Rivet Jig-
Trigger Guard Rivet Jig-
Barrel Press tools-
Air Compressor-
Blast Cabinet-
Park Tank- dorminWS
Park tank burners
Drill press-

Burger grill, food, beer?

If anyone intends on buying flats without trunnion holes, a receiver drilling tool or jig is necessary.

Did I forget anything?