What Size Press

[GIFFMANN]

First, I want to thank Quarterbore for providing this forum. I've been lurking and learning for awhile but finally have a question.

What size press does one need to really do bend an AK receiver? Looking at the Harbor Freight website, they have some benchtop 6 ton presses that look like they might handle the job, but I was not sure. I don't really have a ton of room in the garage, so a smaller press would be handy.

Any help here would be appreciate.

Thanks!

Giff

[Quarterbore]

Bending a flat does not require much of a press... BUT ... pressing out a barrel will require more room then you will have with anything smaller then a 12-ton press! Look at this tutorial (which I need to get working on again) and you will see that I am using a 12-ton press:

http://quarterbore.com/images/amdbuild7/

In that tutorial is this image of the AMD-65 barre getting pressed back in... note the AMD-65 barrel is shorter then most AK barrels!



I don't see a good picture of me pressing out the barrel especially with it in the trunion as when I needed to adjust my headspace but that required the bottom or the press to be lowered even more then in the picture above. I do not believe you can use anything smaller then the 12-ton "A" frame press but I like the extra room the H-press gives.

As an aside, I actually just purchased a 20-ton press as I was not happy with the flexing that I get with the 12-ton press when I am trying to press out tough barrel pins or when I am trying to press in a barrel. I have yet to use the 20-ton press but with the 12-ton press I have had problems keeping everything straight. I understand the 20-ton doesn't do this so I bought a bigger press.

[GIFFMANN]

For pressing the barrel in, however, I was considering utilizing the bar clamp/heat/cool method. I'm just having a hard time justifying a larger press than the table top.

[Quarterbore]

I never used anything smaller then the 12-ton but the press does not strain at all to do a flat so I am sure a 6-ton will do it. With some of the Rommy G kits the barrel pin may require more force then you can get out of a 6-ton press but beyond the stubborn kit a 6-ton should do most barrel pins.

Personally, I would go to the 12-ton but there are lots of guys that do these with no press at all... so each to their own! Good Luck!

[Chuckles]

I put my barrel back using dry ice to chill the barrel ,Wh :D en it was pretty damm cold I just slid it in with a settling tap or 2 with a rubber mallet and the cross pin went right in with a small ballpene hammer and a puch for the final taps

[555th]

A good press is really a necessity for building AKs. It can be done without one, But I wouldn't advise it.

They are not too expensive @ $99 for the 12 ton. Which I think is a good size if you put it on a platform and get off the ground. I use a 20 ton at home and my buddy has the same 12 ton as QB's. It does a fine job.

You press:
1. barrel pin out
2. barrel out
3. trigger guard rivets
4. trunion rivets
5. barrel in
6. barrel pin in

It's a whole lot easier with one!!

[Wrangler]

I used a grear puller from auto Zone to pull the barrel. It fits like it was made to do it and at 20.00 seems like a bargain. The part number is 25190. It is not listed on the net but you can find them in the store.