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Parts Kits Rivets - PITA- Know a better way to rem

505firearms
Hello,

I bought an AKM parts kit and have been working on getting out the rivets. What is the best way to do it.. I have tried it with a hand drill.. I tried removing them with a drill press... I have used a grinder and just removed the top of the rivet head.

The grinder is way quicker.. but.. does anyone know a quicker way to remove the rivets??

I prefer the grinder.. but still need to remove the original rivets.. I am afraid of damaging the parts by drilling the rivet holes too big. or drilling off center.. any suggestions would be appreciated.

Andrew



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Comments

6 comments

Date Votes
  • sandwarrior
    505,

    The way we remove rivets in the Aviation world is to drill the head(that portion that holds the shank in place) down near to the shank with a drill bit slightly undersized to the shank. i.e. a 1/8" shank would take a #31 bit or a 7/64. Then take a pin punch of the same size as the hole and snap the head off by prying sideways. Once the head is removed drive the rest of the rivet out with the pin punch. -hope that helps

    We have the second amendment so that all the rest are secure....UNK>
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  • richbug
    I grind the heads off, pry off the sheetmetal, them drill through the center of the rivet with a slightly undersized drill bit. Usaully you end up a little off center which allows the rivet to collapse and fall out easily. The trunnions are much harder than the rivets, and the bit will tend to follow the rivet, even if you are a little off center. The rear trunnion pretty much has to be drilled clear though to get out the rivets.

    .
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  • nononsense
    505,

    Spend a little money and get a carbide combination drill, often referred to as a center drill. Buy one that is just a hair under the size of the rivet. The carbide combination drill, when used in a peck cycle type drilling, will go through the trunnion, as richbug calls it, and then the larger diameter will remove the softer head and shank of the rivet. Regular drill shapes will generally "walk" when you try to center up on the rivet. The combination drills are shorter and more stout and won't usually walk if fed slowly. But if you stress the carbide combination drills enough (offcenter on the trunnion), they'll shatter. Be careful to align the drill with the center of the rivet. If you are really concerned with preserving the parts, then carefully outweighs speed and convenience by a long shot. Take your time and do it right no matter which process you choose to use.

    Boeing uses a special tool that grinds the head of the rivet away without damaging the aluminum skin of the plane, then just pushes the rest of the rivet out with another specialized tool. These are very expensive and aren't usually found in our types of tool boxes...

    Best.

    rifleman.gif
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  • mr_floppy
    Grind flat with sheetmetal, centerpunch remainder, work your way up with drill bit sizes.

    With the front trunion only drill the depth of the sheet metal or just barely past. Remove the sheet metal, even if you have to peel it away using a chisel. Score a line on the barrel where it meets the trunion.

    Then press out the barrel pin out. This can be fun which is why some people reccomend a 20 ton press.


    Next * Press out the barrel*



    Then attack whats left of the rivets. I can't believe it when I see threads on the web with guys looking for barrels as they drilled through their barrels while removing rivets!

    Some have even asked if a barrels ok to still use with "only a small hole drilled in it"

    Wear eye protection, besides the normal drill scrap, Pins barrel pins have been known to fly when they finally decide to move or if you do not have your punch aligned properly.
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  • clays
    If you visit ak47.net you will find more information than you will ever need including photos of how to build an ak rifle. As for front trunnion rivet removal this is how I did mine. Remove barrel pin, can be done with press, or hammer & drift pin. Next remove barrel, pulled mine with a two jaw gear puller & pennies for spacers. Next grind rivets flush with trunion and knock them out with a center punch. Do not drill these holes as they are exactally the correct size to tap to 10/32 if building with screws, which I found much easier than reriveting. Once holes are tapped align barrel with trunnion as removed and drive into trunion using blocks of wood for cushion. Drive until barrel pin hole is realigned, insert pin and proceed from there. Good Luck Bob
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  • cruzie27
    i have never had to drill out a rivet to remove it,.
    i take my big-f-ing- grinder to the rivet head,.. its ok if i get into the old torched cut reciver cause its gonna end up in the trash,...once the rivits are flat i peel to old reciver off useing a big-ole flat tip screw driver,. then i dreimel whats left of the rivet as close to the trunnion as i dare,.. then i get my trusty punch and hammer,. and within 2-3 good whacks (hit it like it owes you money) its out,

    so no problems getting the barrel pin, or barrel out?

    i dont even bother with a rear trunnion,.. i take the stock, the two screws,.and triger guard,. toss the rear,. and get a new one,..keeps my blood pressure down that way[;)]

    but if you listen to any advice here,.. go check this site
    http://www.ak47.net/forums/forum.html?b=4&f=51

    good luck,. and show pics of your build



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