Sunday, 20 Dec 2002

Ok, I've been wanting another AK but I have two Norincos a NMH90 and a NMH 91 both in 7.62 x 39.  While I was on the AR15.COM forums (the AK side) I found some kits list at K-VAR for a good price in the 5.45 x 39 caliber I wanted.  Now the wait begins.  

Another good forum is at AK-47  

Sunday, 26 Dec 2002

Called K-VAR to check on shipping dates, first of 2003.  I also had them add a US trigger group to my order.

Wednesdays, 01 Jan 2003

Order a side rail from Tantal today.  Gotta love the internet.

Tuesday, 07 Jan 2003

The big brown truck showed up today with a box for me.   

Friday, 10 Jan 2003

Got the rear two rivets out of the front truion. Ground one rivet down and drilled it and then drilled it again with a larger drill.  This one came out with the drill.  The second rivet I just drilled through the rivet with the larger drill then punched it out with a punch and hammer.

Stoppepd by the hardware store and picked up some button head hex screws, a tap and some cutting fluid.  I picked up three sizes of screws, 10x32, 1/4x20 and 5/16x18 with the correct taps.  I was trying to find screws that I could use in the existing holes.  Seems the 10x32 will work.

The pictures on the left shows the head of the screw.  The one on the right shows that it will need to be cut down to fit.  I think I will also turn down the head in my mini-lathe.  Then after they are install I'll fill the head with J-B Wield and paint to cover it.  You can also see in the right picture the recess in the receiver that is form during the riveting process.

I think this can be duplicated during the build.  I'm going to use a center punch to force the receiver into the recess of the trunion (fig 1).  Next I'll fill the hole with J-B Wield (Fig 2).  Then re-drill the hole and install the screw (Fig 3).

Got the second hole tapped.  Also turned down the head of the screw.  I think I'm on the right track.

Thursday, 16 Jan 2003

Ordered some supplies from McMaster-Carr.  I'm going to screw this one together.

 Saturday,18 Jan, 2003

Ok bad day the other day, I screwed up the holes on the front trunion.  That's why I had to go to the larger size screws.  I'll turn them down on the lathe before I do the final install.  Just have to wait for the supplies to arrive.

I also checked the letter to JoeKen Firearms and it arrived Tuesday the 14th of January.  I ordered two Hesse AK receivers from them and they'll be sent to  InfinityArms.  I'll pick them up there when they arrive.
 

Sunday 19, Jan 2003

Still waiting, so I decided to work on the scope mount.  I purchased the side rail mount from Tantal.  I wanted to rivet but will screw it onto the receiver.  Tantal has two types of rail, the normal rivet one and one that is attached with screws.  I got the rivet type.  I tapped the holes for 10-32 screws.  I'll use the low head type from the inside and peen the the exterior after the rail is mounted.

Tuesday, 22 Jan 2003

The tools ordered from McMaster-Carr have arrived!  I'll get back to the receiver in the next few days.

Thursday, 23 Jan 2003

Geeze, tapped the front trunion tonight.  Got to agree with other guys, USE QUALITY TAPS AND CUTTING FLUID. 

I used the Hand Tap Cobalt Steel 1/4"-28 NF to start the hole and Hand Tap TiN (Titanium Nitride)-Coated High-Speed Steel Bottoming to finish the hole.  This worked out great.  I think if I ever do this again I'll invest in a Drill Press and Lathe Tap Wrenches with Guide (2550A64) or Tap and Reamer Aligner/Holder (2548A12). 

The 1/4"-28 Button Head Socket Cap Screws I got when I ordered the taps are 3/8 and are too long.  I'll cut them down on the lathe when I reduce the screw heads.

Saturday May 17, 2003

Got home on pass and picked up the receivers for a coupled of builds.  Also picked up some 8-32 socket head screws to use on the trigger guard.

It'll still be slow going as I'm still down range but closer to home now.

Thanks for stopping by,

 Jan 2003