Has anybody done an AK build? Did you need to buy a shop press? Did you make your own receiver? Build Partys?

BananaClip was selling some tools for building.

http://2ahawaii.com/index.php?topic=3992

BananaClip was selling some tools for building.

http://2ahawaii.com/index.php?topic=3992

nice stuff... i got to pm him and see if he used a shop press

Hammer time!

You can use a press to put the rivets together. To bend the flat a press is required. Unless you are doing the brake method.

It's an AK!

You can get away with a minimum of tools depending on the parts kit and receiver type.

Right now there is a pre bent Polish blank out there that can be finished with a drill press, dremel tool, and some tack welding.

It's an AK!

You can get away with a minimum of tools depending on the parts kit and receiver type.

Right now there is a pre bent Polish blank out there that can be finished with a drill press, dremel tool, and some tack welding.

You got a link to the website or where you can pick some of those blanks up from

You got a link to the website or where you can pick some of those blanks up from

Here's a few in stock

http://shop.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=1003555

http://shop.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=1034079

https://ak-builder.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=30341

https://ak-builder.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=30336

It's an AK!

You can get away with a minimum of tools depending on the parts kit and receiver type.

Right now there is a pre bent Polish blank out there that can be finished with a drill press, dremel tool, and some tack welding.

I picked up a couple of those.... Theyre in the white which means they need a finish cause they rust immediately..

Also after drilling the holes you have to buy rails then spot weld them in place.....

Then last but not least youll need to heat treat it to like 1600 degrees or so....for strength...

If not heat treated it will start to egg shape around the rivets then it everything will get loose....

So youre looking at a drill press, spot welder, kiln etc.... Oh yeah and a 12ton press to rivet.....

For me, it became overwhelming... The only tool youll avoid buying is the bending dies with the Polish blank....

 I decided to go the 100% receiver route... I had sold those 2 Polish blanks to friend, shoulda kept one.....

Theres actually other tools youll need that are extremely hard to mimic..... Like head space gauges

They sell the Polish jig to drill  holes precisely where they belong.... You could rig a bolt cutter to rivet

That wont do and reach all the rivets but it will do some....

Dont wanna go the short route too much... An exploding gun is never fun.....

I decided to go the 100% receiver route...

By far the most economical way for those very reasons.

nice stuff... i got to pm him and see if he used a shop press

Yup.. I have a 12ton press that I bought at Blue Sky Hawaii in Kalihi..

It ran me about $250.... Better than shipping one in.... Harbor Freight has the right spot welder

but theyre never in stock.... Have a plan if you go to Blue Sky... a lot of cool stuff there..

I walked out with some digital camo bags as well as a press....lol

 Heres the address for Blue Sky

Blue Sky Hawaii
1819 Dillingham Blvd
Hours: Mon-Sat 9-6 Sun 9-3
455-9036

Thanks for the information guys.  Sounds like a fun project if you got all the right tools.
Might just be easier to buy an AK for people like me

For a one gun build...You can keep it crude.

You can skip a spot welder, it can be done with a "plug weld" via a MIG/TIG.

Pressing in the rivets is the best way and produces nice looks. But it can be done with an air hammer and bucking bars, and even by hand with a hammer and punch.

Special jigs for holes can also be replaced by the blue prints and templates that are out there.

Lots of the guys who build these do it for the challege and the love of the build.

You know, i just thought of something, that shovel AK build someone posted up. 
Im sure if there is a will there is a way.

But it could be like other threads i have seen, where people make DIY windmills and whatnot, and they fabricated their own permanent magnetic alternator and circuit board or whatnot, something im not able to replicate.

Im sure if everyone went the shovel route i can too

You know, i just thought of something, that shovel AK build someone posted up. 

Im sure if there is a will there is a way.

Exactly...The AK forums all full of crazy builds like that and beyond.

For a one gun build...You can keep it crude.

Lots of the guys who build these do it for the challenge and the love of the build.

Yup! Thats why I wanted to build   

Yup! Thats why I wanted to build 

It would be nice if there was an AK community here that hosted builds, but you can do it!

Do lots of research, take your time, know your skill level and seek guidance when you're over your head.

The AK will come out just a few dollars short of buying a finished one, but it's your Frankenstein.