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Thread: Rivet jigs

  1. #1
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    Rivet jigs

    I know I'm a n00b here so give me some slack. Building my first AK off a romy parts kit. Everything cleaned up nicely, home parkerized it, NODAK NDS-1 for receiver. Now it come down to drilling and riveting. I've been thinking of investing in a full set of rivet jigs from gunthings.com. I can afford to buy them all, but looking for them to pay for themselves. I do plan on building a few more....is renting/leasing them out actually feasible? I'm looking at putting out $500 to flatten a few rivet heads. Ideas?
    Last edited by MikeS; 12-13-2011 at 09:23 PM.

  2. #2
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    Riveting

    I don't know the answer, but I'd like to know myself. The thing that worries me the most about trying to build an AK is the riveting. I've had the rivets bend on 2 separate AKs that I bought, which made them non-functional. I'm curious to know just how to get the rivets in right myself. If you get any information, can you post it here?

    I don't know what caused the rivets to bend. But I'd like to find out before I try to build an AK.

  3. #3
    Guns Network Contributor 04/2013 El Laton Caliente's Avatar

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    http://ak-builder.com/

    Curtis has been my go to guy... He has some nice vids on using the jigs.

    You can crush rivets several ways. Hammer & home made jig, bolt cutter rivet crusher (also home made), I've seen a set up for a vise... The bearing press & rivet jigs are going to give the best results without getting professional rivet tools that are expensive.

  4. #4
    Forum Administrator Schuetzenman's Avatar

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    Quote Originally Posted by El Laton Caliente View Post
    http://ak-builder.com/

    Curtis has been my go to guy... He has some nice vids on using the jigs.

    You can crush rivets several ways. Hammer & home made jig, bolt cutter rivet crusher (also home made), I've seen a set up for a vise... The bearing press & rivet jigs are going to give the best results without getting professional rivet tools that are expensive.
    Ditto the AK builder web site and it's equipment. Top quality.

  5. #5
    Senior Member

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    I give Curtis a thumbs up aswell. Have been using his rivet jig for years............

  6. #6
    Guns Network Contributor 04/2013 El Laton Caliente's Avatar

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    If you are doing just one AK, get it built by an AK smith. If you are planning several builds and WANT to do them yourself, get the jigs...

  7. #7
    Member AK-Karl's Avatar

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    If you have access to a Hyd. press you can make a riveter out of a 3/4" grade 8 bolt for the short rivets.
    Here is a sketch showing you how it fits inside the receiver, so you can squeeze the rivets. It helps to keep the bolt as short as possible. You will need to buy a 4" or 5" or longer bolt so you can cut off the threaded part

    I used a cheap angle grinder with a thin cut off wheel to cut and shape the bolt.
    http://www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-...der-91222.html
    Be careful not to get the bolt too hot when grinding, because that will take the temper out of the steel & you will need to get another bolt to start over.


    This one tool will do all the short rivets.

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