i think im gonna start building

[Karl E. Hungus]

well i think ive reached a point in gun collecting where im going to have to start building a few my own... im pretty mechanically inclined and tired of being ripped off and lead around by the nose by my local gun dealers.

can any of yous guys who build tell me what some of the main tools and equipment im going to need to invest in? i used to work with engines so i have the basics. but i do know i need to get a welder, im assuming im going to be arc welding for most of these builds correct? what kind would you guys recommend for rifle builds and other household fixes? also anything else of the machining/fabricating variety?

thanks alot, im actually pretty psyched to start working on something.

[okie shooter]

Karl, on getting ripped off, I dont think I get ripped off by buying firearms, its my choice of my time vs my money. Sometimes I have more of the second vs the first, thus why I buy vs build, and the fact that most things I buy here, are tough to build much cheaper to make my time worth much.

The couple of things I would want to have to build or have access to build would be a drill press, floor model in my opnion, with variable speed to maybe allow some clean up with a endmill to make for flat drilling surfaces. The second thing would be a hydralic press, 12 tons is light, twenty seems to be the prefered, you can do things without it but for the money, it seems to be a nice tool.

Next would be sand blasting equipment, which includes a air compressor with some sort of dryer to blast with. Then after that a welder. I would prefer a wire feed mig/gas setup. Not that I have any of this, but I am lucky and have access to all but a sand blaster with friends here in town. I am not by any means a expert, didnt even stay at a holliday inn express(though drove past plenty on sunday) last night.

P.S. remember for ak's a press is almost a requried tool but for FAL's and AR's its not, so it depends on what you want to build and such. I guess I am thinking along the lines of ak's, for ar's all you need is an ar tool, a vice is nice, and various hand tools.

[nalioth]

well i think ive reached a point in gun collecting where im going to have to start building a few my own... im pretty mechanically inclined and tired of being ripped off and lead around by the nose by my local gun dealers.

can any of yous guys who build tell me what some of the main tools and equipment im going to need to invest in? i used to work with engines so i have the basics. but i do know i need to get a welder, im assuming im going to be arc welding for most of these builds correct? what kind would you guys recommend for rifle builds and other household fixes? also anything else of the machining/fabricating variety?

thanks alot, im actually pretty psyched to start working on something. Depending on what you want to build, you'll need different stuff.

For an AK, a hammer will do.

For a Cetme/G3 you'll need the welder.

[SteelCore]

That's it?!?! I tho you need a press to press out the bbl pin. or to put one in...

[nalioth]

That's it?!?! I tho you need a press to press out the bbl pin. or to put one in...
Some guys use a REAL BIG HAMMER for the barrel pin.

Hey, if the Afghans can use ROCKS and STICKS to rebuild AKs after they've been blown apart by our rockets, having a honest-to-god factory made hammer should be a plus :D

[SteelCore]

do you use the bigger hammer, or do you have a press?

[nalioth]

do you use the bigger hammer, or do you have a press?
I have a 20t press.

On the AK forums, some guys use a hammer and all thread and a dremel and build in their living rooms.

It's nice to have a press, 5 different jigs, air tools and such, but a hammer and some punches are all that are really necessary.

[M1 Tanker]

I'm a believe in the RIGHT TOOL for the job. I can change spark plugs with an adjustable wrench, but why???

Karl, the main question is what do you want to build?

Some tools are going to be specific, like a FAL receiver wrench...or a 1919 bucking bar.

[Karl E. Hungus]

hmm well mostly aks, cetme/hk type..


...maybe a fal eventually if i can find cheap parts or something. thats pretty much it.

[rustypirate]

the press is the premier tool for building AKs and CETME/G3 rifles too.

but even for AKs it is not the only tool you will need. there are jigs and dies and such as well.

A lot of people have built AK rifles with rivetting tools made from bolt cutters with a lot of success.

But if you want to get serious and build several rifles, the press and jigs are the way to go.

Likewise the welder. If you are just building one CETME, it is not cost effective to buy a welder (though you will allways find other uses for it).

You can get the required welding done at a local shop for a very reasonable price. (just make sure that you do not leave the gun in the welder's possession unless they are a licensed dealer or smith. You can stay and watch them work if it is just a local welding shop.)

[Karl E. Hungus]

ahh all right then. so when you say a press for the cetme do you mean a drill press or a hydrolic? also, i think i can find a welder around here at a home depot or a supply place for relatively cheap(and ill probably be using it alot so it may be worth it). what kind of welder am i looking for? i thought i read somewhere before that for atleast the cetme they need to be arc welded?

again thanks for the help

[M1 Tanker]

Mig or Tig Karl...not arc. I have mig I got from Harbor Freight for about $300.

And a Hydraulic press. Harbor Fright carries them, I personally use a 12 ton.

[Otis61]

I haven't got a welder yet. I want to make sure the one I get is a good one, and not the first piece of junk I saw for a 100 bucks. So I had a local guy weld mY first CETME. It turned out real good for 20 bucks.