Drilling Trunion Rivets
-- Shannon Jennings
Occasionally a customer brings in an AK kit and a receiver that is not drilled for the trunnion rivets. I made a drill guide by drilling through (3/32") a short AK rivet in the lathe and case hardening it. It is important that the hole in the rivet is pretty well centered. Measure the hole locations of the trunion and mark them on one side of the receiver. Clamp the trunion in place. Center drill and drill those locations with a 3/32" bit. As long as the small drill passes through the trunion's hole, you're good. Then place the guide into the opposite side's rivet hole. Drill through the receiver and guide to make a well centered hole on the other side. Then with a drill the size of the trunion's hole, drill back through the receiver from the well centered side and then through the starting side. The trunion will act as a drill guide. Any misalignment will be cleaned up. Place a rivet into the first hole to keep the trunion from moving and repeat the process for the other holes. |
Kinks Books |