Ink always replys and is always interested! Spare time for me is non existent at the moment, but you guys seem to be on the right track. de milled kits, populated barrels, 100% receivers. make the first build party simple so everyone has fun and finishes their stick. Dont forget trigger groups (double or single hook), retaining plates, etc.
I wish i was further along with my gun shop cuz i want to stock kits and tools.... still a little ways from that so far.
HI 762x39!
Always replies is an understatement... Here's what Ink had to say...
"I can offer this (and feel free to pick my brain all you want)
give people 3-5 months notice to get kits and receivers
have extra rivet kits (they never come with all you need, and people will mess some up)
offer a date ahead of time to help people de-mil their kits (you are in for a loooong day if you de mil and build all at once)
never-seize works better than anything for re-installing barrels
NODAK receivers are very tough to drill and ream.... multiple solid carbide or cobalt bits are the order of the day
start small when drilling rivets and go from both ends when doing the long rivets on rear trunions
your jigs will take a little bit of a beating...
some long rivets benefit from a few thousandths taken off w a grinder to form a nice head
bolt cutter rivet tools... yeah everyone says they are great.... untill the jaws break on the first rivet
a lot of the proper tools from AK builder are not very expensive and make for easy work
have files and reamers
have small c clamps and vise grips, many hammers and punches
I built a couple of hefty wooden benches outa 4x4's and 2x12's for the builds i did
polish underfolder mechanisms are like putting together clockwork blindfolded
set up the day before and do a dry run
get ready for weird questions....
are you doing a strictly ak47 build or will there be amd65's, ak74's, etc etc etc....?
all tooling will need slight modifications, have a couple good grinders (bench, die, 4" stone)
BACON!
um..... oh, good extra portable lighting!!!
keep each jig in its own little case so things dont get mixed up. my first build, everyone watched me press out my barrel pin, then they did theirs, then press out the barrel, then them.... but i was learning as i went. the last one i did people could do multiple operations at once. Max (762x39 here on NES, SKS ray were a HUGE source of help for me)
Keep in mind location and liability when it comes to alcohol.
headspace gauges are a nice option.....
um... also, no live ammo!!
also.... when using a 20 ton press, you can press pins and tools through shit that it aint supposed to go through EASILY. AK's should come appart and go together with little to no effort. if it don't then somethings wrong.
If i think of anything else, ill drop you a line! HAVE FUN!!!! Its a lot of work, but a lot of fun."