getting ready to weld

[ocharry]

so i have been thinking this through before i put the stinger to it, reading all the stuff here and on other boards. making little tools and gizmos to make this build easier.

i'm ready to weld the trunnion into the receiver, and if i read everything right i need to put a piece of shim stock on the end of the cocking piece plunger the same as the bolt gap so the cocking tube will be in the right position to weld to the receiver.

so if i tack the trunnion in place and slide the bolt in and lock it into the trunnion, put my shim into place pull the cocking tube back tight and tack the tube where it needs to be am i going to be able to get the bolt carrier out of the receiver to put my heat sink back in without ripping the tack welds loose on the cocking tube?

this is a g-3 but the cocking tube is put on the same way, i can't see why there would be any difference in the two rifles about that part of a build.

if i am wrong here someone please speak up.

i'm getting itchy feet here i want to here this thing go bang, this is the last thing to do, everything else is finished, except for getting the finish put on. it is my first build and i don't want to screw something up because i got into a hurry or didn't do my home work. and you guys on this board have been great.

i have taken pictures along the build just for me but i can share if anyone is interested.

many thanks to you all

ocharry

[rustypirate]

Your process appears sound. Just a couple of things...

Weld the trunion in completely prior to fitting and tacking the cocking tube to avoid things changing due to warping from the heat, etc.

The gap at the end of the cocking tube between the tube plug and the charging handle support needs to be no greater than .020" and not less than .010".

Rather than using the charging handle to unlock the bolt after fitting and tacking the cocking tube, just use a flat screwdriver on the underside of the bolt between the bolt head and the carrier to lever the bolt open. This will not put any stress on the tack welds on the cocking tube.

[ocharry]

thanks for the reply rustypirate, that is exactly what i was planing on doing.
along with using a laser to get the barrel and trunnion lined up in the right orientation with the rear sight(radially) since those parts haven't been taken apart.

i made a special clamp to hold everything together when i get it where it needs to be during the weld process.

i think i'm ready

ocharry:sterb126: