AK Receiver Bending
AK Receiver Bending
From a Tapco Flat
From a Tapco Flat
A tutorial by 1952Sniper A tutorial by 1952Sniper
February 2006 February 2006
(originally posted on
(originally posted on http://www.ssboards.!o"http://www.ssboards.!o" by 1952Sniper# by 1952Sniper#
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ % de!ided to write t
% de!ided to write this tutorial a&ter his tutorial a&ter ha'ing spent a day and a hal& bending re!eiha'ing spent a day and a hal& bending re!ei'ers. 'ers. %t "ight be a%t "ight be a help to those o& y
help to those o& you who are interested in bending you who are interested in bending your own re!ei'ers &ro" a &latour own re!ei'ers &ro" a &lat. . ysel& andysel& and another &oru" "e"ber (%)ll let hi" !hi"e in i& he
another &oru" "e"ber (%)ll let hi" !hi"e in i& he wants to identi&y hi"sel&# did a whole pro'erbialwants to identi&y hi"sel&# did a whole pro'erbial s***$load o& the"+ and % now now "ore about the pro!ess than % e'er wanted to+ ,-,.
s***$load o& the"+ and % now now "ore about the pro!ess than % e'er wanted to+ ,-,. % won)t pretend it)s
% won)t pretend it)s the be$all end$all o& bending rthe be$all end$all o& bending re!ei'ers. e!ei'ers. %t)s ust "%t)s ust "y eperien!e+ and a good startingy eperien!e+ and a good starting point.
point. ou guys that ha'e used other "ethods and other bending &itures+ &eel &ree to !hi"e in andou guys that ha'e used other "ethods and other bending &itures+ &eel &ree to !hi"e in and add in&o.
add in&o.
For starters+ it)s a lot o& &
For starters+ it)s a lot o& &un. un. %& you)re only bending a !ouple+ it)s a relati'ely si"ple tas that should%& you)re only bending a !ouple+ it)s a relati'ely si"ple tas that should tae no ti"e at all.
tae no ti"e at all. %& you)re doing as "any as we did+ though+ it)s a lot o& wor and needs to be well%& you)re doing as "any as we did+ though+ it)s a lot o& wor and needs to be well planned.
planned. ou should !ount on &atigue be!o"ing an issue. ou should !ount on &atigue be!o"ing an issue. i'e yoursel& plenty o& ti"e &or breas.i'e yoursel& plenty o& ti"e &or breas. And be aware o& when you)re gett
And be aware o& when you)re getting tired+ be!ause that)s when a!!idents sing tired+ be!ause that)s when a!!idents start to happen. tart to happen. e ha'ee ha'e the hand inuries and sore li"bs to pro'e
the hand inuries and sore li"bs to pro'e it.it. 3he pro!ess we used too right at
3he pro!ess we used too right at 15 "inutes to go &ro" a &lat to 15 "inutes to go &ro" a &lat to a bent re!ei'er+ &ro" start to &inish.a bent re!ei'er+ &ro" start to &inish. 4ut we a'eraged about re!ei'ers &
4ut we a'eraged about re!ei'ers &or e'ery hours spent. or e'ery hours spent. 3hat in!ludes breas+ re$organi7ing t3hat in!ludes breas+ re$organi7ing tools+ools+ periodi! !leanup+ et!.+ without &eeling lie we had to rush so "u!h that our 8uality le'el had to su&&er. periodi! !leanup+ et!.+ without &eeling lie we had to rush so "u!h that our 8uality le'el had to su&&er.
4ending a &lat into a re!ei'er shou
4ending a &lat into a re!ei'er should generally re8uire the &ollowing steps:ld generally re8uire the &ollowing steps: 1. Asse"ble the inside die around the
1. Asse"ble the inside die around the &lat&lat 2. rease the hell out o& e'
2. rease the hell out o& e'erythingerything . ress it into the outer &or"
. ress it into the outer &or" . S8uee7e the asse"bly in
. S8uee7e the asse"bly in a 'ise to eli"inate possible bowing in the "iddlea 'ise to eli"inate possible bowing in the "iddle 5. ;a""er or otherwise bend o'er the upper rails
5. ;a""er or otherwise bend o'er the upper rails
6. %n'ert the asse"bly and no! out the inside die and re!ei'er 6. %n'ert the asse"bly and no! out the inside die and re!ei'er <. =isasse"ble inside &or" and no! re!ei'er o&& o&
<. =isasse"ble inside &or" and no! re!ei'er o&& o& itit %)ll go into detai
%)ll go into detail on ea!h step. l on ea!h step. % should note that not % should note that not all bending igs (&iall bending igs (&itures# are !reated e8ual.tures# are !reated e8ual. 3here are a lot o& di&&erent designs out
3here are a lot o& di&&erent designs out there+ although they al"ost all basi!ally wor using the there+ although they al"ost all basi!ally wor using the sa"esa"e prin!iple.
prin!iple. And i& your &iture is !reated to the proper di"ensions+ it sAnd i& your &iture is !reated to the proper di"ensions+ it should yield the sa"e results nohould yield the sa"e results no "atter how it)s
"atter how it)s put together. put together. 3he result+ o& !ourse+ 3he result+ o& !ourse+ being a bent re!ei'er that)s ready &being a bent re!ei'er that)s ready &oror &itting/tri"
&itting/tri""ing and "ing and asse"bly to a passe"bly to a parts it.arts it.
3he &iture we used was one that % bought &ro" a "e"ber o& an A> building board+ and is based on 3he &iture we used was one that % bought &ro" a "e"ber o& an A> building board+ and is based on the ernelrin design (&or those o& you who are &a"iliar with that user
the ernelrin design (&or those o& you who are &a"iliar with that userna"e#. na"e#. %t wors great and is%t wors great and is robust enough to last through a lot o& bends.
robust enough to last through a lot o& bends. 4elow is a pi!ture o& the inside &or" (the die# and its4elow is a pi!ture o& the inside &or" (the die# and its asso!iated pie!es+ net to one o&
asso!iated pie!es+ net to one o& the 3ap!o &lats we were the 3ap!o &lats we were about to bend. about to bend. %)ll apologi7e in ad'an!e &or%)ll apologi7e in ad'an!e &or the !rappy pi!tures.
the !rappy pi!tures. % had to use "y ol% had to use "y old digital !a"era be!ause "y good one was out d digital !a"era be!ause "y good one was out o& ui!e and %o& ui!e and % !ouldn)t &ind the !harger.
!ouldn)t &ind the !harger. Anyway+ in the pi!ture below yAnyway+ in the pi!ture below you !an see the upper part o& the ou !an see the upper part o& the die+ thedie+ the lower plate that sandwi!hes the &lat inside+ bo
lower plate that sandwi!hes the &lat inside+ bo lts that !la"p it all together+ and two aligner pins withlts that !la"p it all together+ and two aligner pins with brass nobs on the".
%)ll also pause here to gi'e !redit %)ll also pause here to gi'e !redit to the gentle"an that built this to the gentle"an that built this bending &iture and sold it to bending &iture and sold it to
"e.
"e. ;e has ";e has "ore &or sore &or sale and isale and is an etre"ely help&ul and
an etre"ely help&ul and &riendly
&riendly guy. guy. oes by oes by thethe userna"e s"ittyg o'er on userna"e s"ittyg o'er on gun!o.net+ and he has epressed gun!o.net+ and he has epressed interest in selling the" on this interest in selling the" on this board too.
board too. %n &a!t+ % see that he)s%n &a!t+ % see that he)s a "e"ber
a "e"ber here. here. So loo &So loo &or aor a post &ro" hi" in the trade/sale &oru"s.
post &ro" hi" in the trade/sale &oru"s. ;is bending &iture wored well &or "e and although %;is bending &iture wored well &or "e and although % ha'en)t used any other types+ % wi
ha'en)t used any other types+ % will say that thill say that this one "ore than "et "y needs. s one "ore than "et "y needs. % now se'eral o& y% now se'eral o& youou A> builders are looing &or a bending
A> builders are looing &or a bending &iture+ and % !an tell you &iture+ and % !an tell you that s"ittyg will do his best to "aethat s"ittyg will do his best to "ae sure you)re satis&i
sure you)re satis&ied and answer any 8uestions yed and answer any 8uestions you ha'e. ou ha'e. Support &or a sold prSupport &or a sold produ!t goes a long wayodu!t goes a long way with "e+ and he)ll de&ini
with "e+ and he)ll de&initely gi'e support &or hitely gi'e support &or his produ!t. s produ!t. And by the way+ %)" not beiAnd by the way+ %)" not being paid &orng paid &or endorsing his bending &iture.
endorsing his bending &iture. % ust thin he)s % ust thin he)s got a good produ!t at a good pri!e+ and got a good produ!t at a good pri!e+ and pro'ides goodpro'ides good ser'i!e.
ser'i!e. A? all arA? all around+ and % highly ound+ and % highly re!o""end his bending re!o""end his bending &iture.&iture.
Step 1: Assemble the die around the flat Step 1: Assemble the die around the flat
-n this parti!ular bending &iture design+ you install the aligner pins through the botto" o& the -n this parti!ular bending &iture design+ you install the aligner pins through the botto" o& the botto" plate+ then through the aligner holes on the &lat (whi!h are the s"all holes at the 'ery &ront botto" plate+ then through the aligner holes on the &lat (whi!h are the s"all holes at the 'ery &ront
and rear
and rear o& the o& the &lat#. &lat#. 3his is3his is then lined up with the botto" o& then lined up with the botto" o& the die+ and the aligner pins are the die+ and the aligner pins are inserted there
inserted there as well. as well. All All pie!es will be lined up pie!es will be lined up per&e!tly.
per&e!tly. @o "easuring or@o "easuring or &iddling
&iddling ne!essary. ne!essary. 3he bolt3he boltss are then inserted through the top are then inserted through the top o& the die and they are threaded o& the die and they are threaded into t
into the botto" he botto" plate. plate. %t)s%t)s i"portant to tighten these bolts i"portant to tighten these bolts &airly tight to ensure that the &lat &airly tight to ensure that the &lat stays
stays put. put. 3he 3he bolts bolts rea!hrea!h through the eisting openings in the &lat (the
through the eisting openings in the &lat (the pistol grip s!rew hole+ the trigger hole+ and pistol grip s!rew hole+ the trigger hole+ and two throughtwo through the "ag well
the "ag well opening#. opening#. 3hey si"ply draw 3hey si"ply draw the botto" plate the botto" plate tight to the tight to the die. die. 3hen the aligner 3hen the aligner pins arepins are re"o'ed.
re"o'ed. -n!e the aligner pins are re"-n!e the aligner pins are re"o'ed+ the only thing holding the &lat o'ed+ the only thing holding the &lat in align"ent is thein align"ent is the !o"pression o& the bolts
!o"pression o& the bolts. . So tor8ue the" down pretty good+ but So tor8ue the" down pretty good+ but not tight enough to strinot tight enough to strip threads.p threads. ust a &ir" tug with a so!et wren!h is what
ust a &ir" tug with a so!et wren!h is what % did.% did. hen you get the botto"
@ote that you !an see the botto"s o& the bolts+ and the aligner pins are still in pla!e.
@ote that you !an see the botto"s o& the bolts+ and the aligner pins are still in pla!e. 3his botto"3his botto" plate ser'es se'eral &un!tions as &ar as % !an tell
plate ser'es se'eral &un!tions as &ar as % !an tell. . %t eeps the botto" o& the &lat positioned properly.%t eeps the botto" o& the &lat positioned properly. %t also eeps the botto" &ro" bowing out when the sides are bent+ gi'ing ni!e !risp !orners.
%t also eeps the botto" &ro" bowing out when the sides are bent+ gi'ing ni!e !risp !orners. %t also%t also ser'es as a guide inside the &or" as it)s pressed i
ser'es as a guide inside the &or" as it)s pressed in. n. 3he width o& the botto" plate is the sa"e as the3he width o& the botto" plate is the sa"e as the width o& the outside o&
width o& the outside o& your re!ei'er a&ter bending. your re!ei'er a&ter bending. So the re!ei'er walls So the re!ei'er walls B&ollowB the botto" plateB&ollowB the botto" plate into the ig.
into the ig.
Step 2: Grease all contact surfaces of the bending fiture Step 2: Grease all contact surfaces of the bending fiture
A&ter the aligner pins are re"o'ed+ you)ll want
A&ter the aligner pins are re"o'ed+ you)ll want to grease the hell out o& the to grease the hell out o& the botto" o& the &lat+ where itbotto" o& the &lat+ where it will BrideB t
will BrideB the outside &or" he outside &or" when it)s beiwhen it)s being bended. ng bended. e used obil e used obil 1 syntheti! grease. 1 syntheti! grease. %t)s red i%t)s red inn !olor+ as y
!olor+ as you !an see below. ou !an see below. -thers use ale -thers use ale grease or other grease or other inds o& grease. inds o& grease. hate'er &loats yhate'er &loats yourour boat.
boat. ust "ae sure it)s a good 8uality grease that lubri!ates wellust "ae sure it)s a good 8uality grease that lubri!ates well..
And here)s a pi!ture o& the top And here)s a pi!ture o& the top o& the die with the &lat installed. o& the die with the &lat installed. %t is i"portant to ,%;3, %t is i"portant to ,%;3, grease the !onta!t sur&a!es grease the !onta!t sur&a!es between the inside die and the between the inside die and the
inside o& the re!ei'er. inside o& the re!ei'er.
-therwise you !ould ha'e a hell -therwise you !ould ha'e a hell o& a ti"e getting the re!ei'er o&& o& a ti"e getting the re!ei'er o&& o& it later a&ter it)s been bent o& it later a&ter it)s been bent around all !orners o& the die. around all !orners o& the die. % only tried it on!e without % only tried it on!e without grease on the inside o& the grease on the inside o& the re!ei'er+ and had a hard ti"e. re!ei'er+ and had a hard ti"e. So % !ontinued to grease it and So % !ontinued to grease it and didn)t ha'e any "ore proble"s. didn)t ha'e any "ore proble"s. 4ut do it lightly+ so it isn)t 4ut do it lightly+ so it isn)t so"ething that)s ha'ing to be so"ething that)s ha'ing to be s8uee7ed out when you press s8uee7ed out when you press the die into the outside &or". the die into the outside &or".
%)ll also tae this opportunity to point out the
%)ll also tae this opportunity to point out the inletting on the die &or the "aga7ine inletting on the die &or the "aga7ine stabili7er di"ples+stabili7er di"ples+ and note that they)re slotted so the
and note that they)re slotted so the di"ples !an ride in that !hannel di"ples !an ride in that !hannel later+ as you re"o'e thelater+ as you re"o'e the !o"pleted re!ei'er &ro" the di
!o"pleted re!ei'er &ro" the die. e. 3his die also had an i3his die also had an inletted area &or the di"plnletted area &or the di"ple at the sele!tore at the sele!tor le'er.
le'er. %t did not ha'e any inletting &or the C$ ais di"ples or the sele!tor le'er not!h or the bulge%t did not ha'e any inletting &or the C$ ais di"ples or the sele!tor le'er not!h or the bulge around the le&t side s
around the le&t side sele!tor le'er hole. ele!tor le'er hole. 3he new 3ap!o &lats ha'e all 3he new 3ap!o &lats ha'e all these di"ples on the"+ but these di"ples on the"+ but theythey didn)t see" to be a&&e!ted in the
didn)t see" to be a&&e!ted in the bending pro!ess and they &ared bending pro!ess and they &ared ust &ine.ust &ine. So+ be&ore "o'ing on to the t
So+ be&ore "o'ing on to the third step+ you)ll want to hird step+ you)ll want to grease the outside &or" grease the outside &or" as well. as well. @ot only on@ot only on top where the &lat will !onta!t it when
top where the &lat will !onta!t it when you start bending+ but espe!ially at the you start bending+ but espe!ially at the !orners o& the &or" that!orners o& the &or" that "ae the &old+ as well
you will get s!arring on the you will get s!arring on the outside o& your re!ei'er as it outside o& your re!ei'er as it slides down inside the &or". slides down inside the &or". ou !an see that % ha'e the top ou !an see that % ha'e the top and insides o& the &or" greased+ and insides o& the &or" greased+ with the asse"bled die sitting with the asse"bled die sitting upside down+ ready to be upside down+ ready to be &lipped o'er and pla!ed into it. &lipped o'er and pla!ed into it. 3oo "u!h grease is better than 3oo "u!h grease is better than not
not enough. enough. 4e 4e generous.generous.
Step !: Bend the sides of the flat up Step !: Bend the sides of the flat up
la!e the asse"bled die into the top
la!e the asse"bled die into the top o& the outside &or" and !enter it in the o& the outside &or" and !enter it in the &or" so you)re not too&or" so you)re not too !lose to the
!lose to the ends. ends. 3hen !enter the enti3hen !enter the entire asse"bly under re asse"bly under the ra". the ra". =ouble !he! that y=ouble !he! that your alignerour aligner pins are re"o'ed and that e'erything is ready to go.
@ow snug up the ra" to the top+ @ow snug up the ra" to the top+
and start
and start pressing down. pressing down. %& it%& it)s)s !entered !orre!tly+ both sides !entered !orre!tly+ both sides should start to &old up at the should start to &old up at the sa"e rate+ as you see below. sa"e rate+ as you see below.
So"eti"es the sides will gently So"eti"es the sides will gently &old up &lush to the die+ but in &old up &lush to the die+ but in "ost !ases % &ound that they "ost !ases % &ound that they would rea!h a point where they would rea!h a point where they BsnapB to the sides+ and the BsnapB to the sides+ and the whole shop press goes whole shop press goes
SD-%@E 3hat)s SD-%@E 3hat)s &ine.
&ine. ust be ust be aware o& aware o& this+ andthis+ and go slowly when it)s !lose to the go slowly when it)s !lose to the point.
point. As you pro!eed &urther+As you pro!eed &urther+ the sides should be straight up the sides should be straight up 'erti!ally in the &or"+ tight 'erti!ally in the &or"+ tight against the inside die. against the inside die.
>eep pressing it down into the &or" until the
>eep pressing it down into the &or" until the top o& the die is at least &lush with the top o& the die is at least &lush with the top o& the outsidetop o& the outside &or".
&or". So"eti"es+ as So"eti"es+ as the die is the die is pressed in+ one pressed in+ one end will tend will tend to go down &end to go down &aster than the aster than the other. other. % ept% ept sear!hing &or a Bsweet spotB on the
sear!hing &or a Bsweet spotB on the top o& the die that would entop o& the die that would ensure e'en plunging lengthwise+ butsure e'en plunging lengthwise+ but ea!h &lat would go in di&&erently.
ea!h &lat would go in di&&erently. %& one end sins down &irst+ you)ll need to reposition the ra" to try%& one end sins down &irst+ you)ll need to reposition the ra" to try to get the other si
to get the other side down. de down. ith this partith this parti!ular bending &iture+ the bolt heads i!ular bending &iture+ the bolt heads on top presented aon top presented a proble".
proble". % didn)t want to be pressing on the bolt heads+ so % had li"ited roo" between the "iddle% didn)t want to be pressing on the bolt heads+ so % had li"ited roo" between the "iddle bolts in whi!h to pla!e the ra".
bolts in whi!h to pla!e the ra". hen one end would sin &aster than the other+ we would ha'e tohen one end would sin &aster than the other+ we would ha'e to pull the entire asse"bly and turn it 90 degrees so the ra" !ould get all the way to the end o& the die pull the entire asse"bly and turn it 90 degrees so the ra" !ould get all the way to the end o& the die
(the shop press &ra"e wasn)t wide enough to si"ply shi&t
(the shop press &ra"e wasn)t wide enough to si"ply shi&t the &iture to the side &ar enough#. the &iture to the side &ar enough#. So then+So then+ pressing on the end o& the die and using a pie!e o& bar sto! to shi" up and ensure that the ra" wasn)t pressing on the end o& the die and using a pie!e o& bar sto! to shi" up and ensure that the ra" wasn)t
tou!hing a bolt head+ we !ould press
tou!hing a bolt head+ we !ould press the high end down into the &or"the high end down into the &or". . %t was a si"%t was a si"ple enough way tople enough way to do it and wored well.
do it and wored well. %n the pi!ture below+ y
%n the pi!ture below+ you)ll see what %)" taling about. ou)ll see what %)" taling about. %n this !ase+ the di%n this !ase+ the die went into the &or" e'enle went into the &or" e'enly.y. 4ut sin!e the rear o& the re!ei'er
4ut sin!e the rear o& the re!ei'er is taller than the &ront+ it be!o"es ob'ious that the is taller than the &ront+ it be!o"es ob'ious that the rear end o& therear end o& the die needs to go down &urther
die needs to go down &urther into the &or" than the into the &or" than the &ront. &ront. So that)s what we)re doiSo that)s what we)re doing here+ trying tong here+ trying to get it so the top o& our
get it so the top o& our bent re!ei'er is e'en.bent re!ei'er is e'en.
As % said+ ea!h &lat would go As % said+ ea!h &lat would go into the &or" di&&erently. into the &or" di&&erently. So"eti"es+ when one end was So"eti"es+ when one end was riding high and we)d go to press riding high and we)d go to press that end in+ the other end would that end in+ the other end would start li&ting ba! up slightly. start li&ting ba! up slightly. -ther ti
-ther ti"es it "es it wouldn)t. wouldn)t. ustust play it by ear and adust your play it by ear and adust your
ra" position as ne!essary to get ra" position as ne!essary to get the die
the die down into down into the &or". the &or". %t%t really goes pretty 8ui!ly+ so don)t start thining this is a
really goes pretty 8ui!ly+ so don)t start thining this is a "aor deal."aor deal. -n!e the die is pressed down with the
-n!e the die is pressed down with the top !orners about &lush with the outside &or"+ it)s good top !orners about &lush with the outside &or"+ it)s good to go.to go. 3ae it out o& the press.
3ae it out o& the press.
Step ": #ompress the sides of the form Step ": #ompress the sides of the form
=epending on the design o& your outside &or"+ you "ay eperien!e bowing in the "iddle during the =epending on the design o& your outside &or"+ you "ay eperien!e bowing in the "iddle during the pressing operation.
pressing operation. % did noti!e a s"all gap in ours+ right at the "iddle o& the re!ei'er. % did noti!e a s"all gap in ours+ right at the "iddle o& the re!ei'er. And % "eanAnd % "ean s"all lie perhaps a !ouple
s"all lie perhaps a !ouple thousandths o& an in!h. thousandths o& an in!h. So"e designs "ay not ha'e a noti!eable gap+ butSo"e designs "ay not ha'e a noti!eable gap+ but %)d bet you would &ind that it bowed in the "iddle i& you too detailed "easure"ents.
%)d bet you would &ind that it bowed in the "iddle i& you too detailed "easure"ents. %t)s sa&e to%t)s sa&e to assu"e that all &or"s will bow.
assu"e that all &or"s will bow. So the easiest thing to do is ust tae your entire asse"So the easiest thing to do is ust tae your entire asse"bly with thebly with the die still in it+ and s8uee7e it tightly in a
die still in it+ and s8uee7e it tightly in a 'ise to !o"press the sides and sharpen 'ise to !o"press the sides and sharpen up your botto"up your botto" !orners o& y
!orners o& your re!ei'er. our re!ei'er. ou)ll see any ou)ll see any gaps !lose right gaps !lose right up+ and the grease up+ and the grease will s8uee7e out. will s8uee7e out. 3hat3hat "eans it)s good to go.
Step $: Bend the upper rails Step $: Bend the upper rails
3here are 'arious ways o&
3here are 'arious ways o& doing this. doing this. So"e bending &itures are sold So"e bending &itures are sold with an a!!essory that uses with an a!!essory that uses thethe press to &old the top rails o'er. press to &old the top rails o'er. So"e people si"ply ha""er So"e people si"ply ha""er the" o'er with a ha""er+ the" o'er with a ha""er+ woring &ro" one end to the woring &ro" one end to the other and then s"a!ing on top other and then s"a!ing on top o& the die on!e the
o& the die on!e the rails arerails are &olded o'er+ to get out the &olded o'er+ to get out the lu"ps.
lu"ps. y y partner !a"partner !a"e upe up with the Bworing barB as a with the Bworing barB as a great way to ha""er the upper great way to ha""er the upper rails
rails o'er without o'er without lu"ps. lu"ps. AndAnd it wored
it wored lie a lie a !ha"p. !ha"p. %t)s ust%t)s ust a long pie!e o& &lat bar
a long pie!e o& &lat bar withwith handles welded
handles welded to itto it. . ouou
ha""er on the woring bar and ha""er on the woring bar and it translates the &or!e to the rails it translates the &or!e to the rails in a uni&or"
in a uni&or" "anner to get "anner to get ni!e s"ooth bends ni!e s"ooth bends with !risp with !risp !orners. !orners. 3his re8uires 3his re8uires two people. two people. -ne-ne person stands on one side o& the ben!h 'ise and holds the woring bar by the handles so that it)s person stands on one side o& the ben!h 'ise and holds the woring bar by the handles so that it)s
al"ost &lat on top o& the outside &or"+ with one
al"ost &lat on top o& the outside &or"+ with one side o& the &lat bar against the rail on side o& the &lat bar against the rail on the opposite sidethe opposite side o& the 'ise &ro"
o& the 'ise &ro" where he)s standing. where he)s standing. 3he other person+ standing opposite t3he other person+ standing opposite the &irst person+ s"he &irst person+ s"a!s thea!s the &lat bar+ starting at one end and
&lat bar+ starting at one end and woring to the other end.woring to the other end.
@ote that in this pi!ture+ it)s ust being held in pla!e with one hand &or display
@ote that in this pi!ture+ it)s ust being held in pla!e with one hand &or display. . 3he bar holder needs3he bar holder needs to be dire!tly behind the 'ise+ holding both pipe handles to align it properly as the ha""er "an to be dire!tly behind the 'ise+ holding both pipe handles to align it properly as the ha""er "an "aes ea!h stroe.
3his needs to be done with the bending &iture !la"ped in the 'ise+ not only to eep the sides o& the 3his needs to be done with the bending &iture !la"ped in the 'ise+ not only to eep the sides o& the re!ei'er tight against the die &or a go
re!ei'er tight against the die &or a good uni&or" bend+ but to eep od uni&or" bend+ but to eep the die &ro" slipping down in thethe die &ro" slipping down in the outside &or".
outside &or". As the upper rails sAs the upper rails start to bend o'er+ the perstart to bend o'er+ the person holding the woring bar needs to on holding the woring bar needs to eepeep it at the sa"e angle as the
it at the sa"e angle as the rail until the bar is 'erti!al ("eaning that the rails are laying rail until the bar is 'erti!al ("eaning that the rails are laying &lush on top o&&lush on top o& the die#.
the die#. 3he ha""er operator 3he ha""er operator ust wors ust wors up and down the up and down the woring bar. woring bar. e used a 5$le used a 5$lb sledgeb sledge ha""er and % &ound it generally too "e 5 stries along the length o& the bar &or ea!h BpassB.
ha""er and % &ound it generally too "e 5 stries along the length o& the bar &or ea!h BpassB. A&ter %A&ter % "ade a pass+ the angle would be !hanged and %
"ade a pass+ the angle would be !hanged and %)d "ae another pass. )d "ae another pass. %t usually too us %t usually too us passes to passes to get the rails laying down &lat on top o& the die.
get the rails laying down &lat on top o& the die. 3hat)s only 15 ha""er stries on the woring bar &or3hat)s only 15 ha""er stries on the woring bar &or ea!h rail.
ea!h rail. hen the rail was hen the rail was laying &lush on top+ we)d "laying &lush on top+ we)d "ae one "ore pass B&or good "easae one "ore pass B&or good "easureB+ureB+ "aing "ore lie str
3he tri! is ust to tae your ti"e+ "ae
3he tri! is ust to tae your ti"e+ "ae good solid ha""er stries with a hea'y good solid ha""er stries with a hea'y sledge ha""er+ andsledge ha""er+ and to eep the woring bar at t
to eep the woring bar at the !orre!t angle. he !orre!t angle. And depending on how "any re!ei'ers yAnd depending on how "any re!ei'ers you)re "aing+ou)re "aing+ be prepared to ha'e to repair your woring bar.
be prepared to ha'e to repair your woring bar. -urs was beat all to hell on the top. -urs was beat all to hell on the top. % was ha'ing so% was ha'ing so "u!h &un+ % was 'ery eager on the sledge ha""er. :$#
"u!h &un+ % was 'ery eager on the sledge ha""er. :$#
%n retrospe!t+ the woring bar would ha'e been better i& the handles were at about a 120 degree angle %n retrospe!t+ the woring bar would ha'e been better i& the handles were at about a 120 degree angle &ro" the &lat bar instead o& 90 degrees as ours were.
&ro" the &lat bar instead o& 90 degrees as ours were. hen striing near the end o& the bar+ % had tohen striing near the end o& the bar+ % had to be !are&ul not to hit "y asso!iate)s hands as he was holding the handles.
be !are&ul not to hit "y asso!iate)s hands as he was holding the handles. So+ i& you want to "ae aSo+ i& you want to "ae a woring bar &or the upper rails+ eep
woring bar &or the upper rails+ eep sa&ety in "ind. and angle the sa&ety in "ind. and angle the handles out away &ro" the "iddlehandles out away &ro" the "iddle where the ha""er will be striing.
where the ha""er will be striing. %t)s also a good idea to
%t)s also a good idea to ha'e a step stool or so"e way ha'e a step stool or so"e way o& getting higher abo'e your 'ise o& getting higher abo'e your 'ise as the angleas the angle !hanges on the upper
!hanges on the upper rails. rails. ou don)t want tou don)t want to be swinging a o be swinging a sledge ha""er that sledge ha""er that high. high. et abo'e itet abo'e it so you ust ha'e to li&t it and "ostly let gra'ity do the ob when it)s at t
so you ust ha'e to li&t it and "ostly let gra'ity do the ob when it)s at that angle. hat angle. %t)ll "ae the ob a%t)ll "ae the ob a lot easier and you)ll get "ore uni&or"+ solid blows.
lot easier and you)ll get "ore uni&or"+ solid blows. And this is one o& the steps where &atigue will getAnd this is one o& the steps where &atigue will get you.
you. % busted "y nu!le a &ew % busted "y nu!le a &ew ti"es when % was ti"es when % was tired and "ade a glan!ing blow o&& tired and "ade a glan!ing blow o&& the woringthe woring bar.
bar. Sa&ety &irst+ ya now.Sa&ety &irst+ ya now.
Step %: Remove the die from the outside form Step %: Remove the die from the outside form
3his is &airly strai
3his is &airly straight&orward. ght&orward. -n!e the upper rails are bent and pass your 8uality !ontrol inspe!tion+-n!e the upper rails are bent and pass your 8uality !ontrol inspe!tion+ un!la"p the &iture &ro" the 'ise.
un!la"p the &iture &ro" the 'ise. -pen the aws o& the 'ise a bit wider+ turn the &iture upside down-pen the aws o& the 'ise a bit wider+ turn the &iture upside down and set it on top o&
the die ba! out.
the die ba! out. %t should start %t should start !o"ing out o& the outside &or" !o"ing out o& the outside &or" and go between the open aws o& tand go between the open aws o& thehe 'ise.
'ise. ,ay a pad o& so"e sort ,ay a pad o& so"e sort in there so i& iin there so i& it &alls out it t &alls out it won)t get dinged up. won)t get dinged up. =on)t put your hand=on)t put your hand under there to !at!h it as
under there to !at!h it as your buddy ha""ers it outE your buddy ha""ers it outE As "e about how "y &inger As "e about how "y &inger got s"ushedgot s"ushed when the 5$lb sledge ha""er and the weight o& the die landed on it.
when the 5$lb sledge ha""er and the weight o& the die landed on it.
And eep in "ind+ when you)re doing this+ you)re ha""ering on the underside o& the botto" plate o& And eep in "ind+ when you)re doing this+ you)re ha""ering on the underside o& the botto" plate o& the die.
the die. %& your bolts that !in!h up the &lat inside the die are protruding &ro" the botto" o& thi%& your bolts that !in!h up the &lat inside the die are protruding &ro" the botto" o& thiss botto" plate (as ours were by ust about 1/B#+ you)ll want to be !are&ul not to hit the" wit
botto" plate (as ours were by ust about 1/B#+ you)ll want to be !are&ul not to hit the" with your barh your bar sto! when ha""ering out the die &ro" the outside &or".
sto! when ha""ering out the die &ro" the outside &or".
hen the inside die !o"es out+ hen the inside die !o"es out+ you will noti!e that the sides you will noti!e that the sides tend to spring ba! ust a tad tend to spring ba! ust a tad away &ro"
away &ro" the &or". the &or". 3his is3his is nor"al+ and
nor"al+ and to be to be epe!ted. epe!ted. %t%t will be pulled ba! together at will be pulled ba! together at the trunnion lo!ations when you the trunnion lo!ations when you build this into an A> ri&le+ with build this into an A> ri&le+ with
the ri'ets or s!rews (or the ri'ets or s!rews (or
whate'er you)re using#+ as well whate'er you)re using#+ as well as at
as at the !enter the !enter support. support. SoSo don)t worry about it.
don)t worry about it.
ou)ll also see in this pi!ture+ ou)ll also see in this pi!ture+ that there is grease where the that there is grease where the top rail
top rails were s were &olded o'er. &olded o'er. 3his3his "aes a handy gauge o& your "aes a handy gauge o& your upper rail bending pro!edure. upper rail bending pro!edure. %& you properly greased the %& you properly greased the area+ it will s8uee7e the grease area+ it will s8uee7e the grease out when the upper rails are out when the upper rails are tight on the top o& the tight on the top o& the die.die.
Step &: Remove the receiver from the die Step &: Remove the receiver from the die
So now the die is out
So now the die is out o& the outside &or"o& the outside &or". . ou !an re"o'e the bolts to ou !an re"o'e the bolts to un!la"p the re!ei'er &ro" tun!la"p the re!ei'er &ro" thehe die+ whi!h should release the bott
die+ whi!h should release the botto" plate. o" plate. ou)ll also noti!e that+ oddly enough+ you)ll also noti!e that+ oddly enough+ your &lat a!tuallyour &lat a!tually loos a lot lie an A> re!ei'er.
loos a lot lie an A> re!ei'er.
@ow+ the botto" plate is released and you si"ply need to re"o'e the die &ro" inside the re!ei'er. @ow+ the botto" plate is released and you si"ply need to re"o'e the die &ro" inside the re!ei'er.
3he ni!e thing about the
3he ni!e thing about the bending &iture we used was that the bending &iture we used was that the top o& the die had top o& the die had a raised strip downa raised strip down the "iddle that was parallel with the botto".
the "iddle that was parallel with the botto". So this "ade a handy pla!e to !la"p in a 'ise as shownSo this "ade a handy pla!e to !la"p in a 'ise as shown below+ and tae another pie!e o& bar sto! and tap the re!ei'er o&& the &or" slowly+ "aing sure not below+ and tae another pie!e o& bar sto! and tap the re!ei'er o&& the &or" slowly+ "aing sure not
to de&or" any "etal.
to de&or" any "etal. %& you greased it properly+ it should !o"e o&& with lit%& you greased it properly+ it should !o"e o&& with little e&&ort and only lighttle e&&ort and only light taps.
taps. e tapped on the rear end o& e tapped on the rear end o& the re!ei'er where it)s the re!ei'er where it)s a ni!e wide bearing sur&a!e+ to a ni!e wide bearing sur&a!e+ to "ini"i7e"ini"i7e any proble"s.
any proble"s.
Summar' and miscellaneous comments Summar' and miscellaneous comments
3hat)s itE
3hat)s itE ou)re doneE ou)re doneE ou should ou should ha'e a bent ha'e a bent re!ei'er now. re!ei'er now. ipe o&& ipe o&& all the all the grease and get grease and get toto building your A>.
building your A>. As % said at the beginning+ this pro!ess should tae 15$20 "inutes on!e you getAs % said at the beginning+ this pro!ess should tae 15$20 "inutes on!e you get the hang o& it.
the hang o& it. 3he really hard wor is 3he really hard wor is already done &or you i& yalready done &or you i& you)re using a 3ap!o &lat that alou)re using a 3ap!o &lat that alreadyready has all the holes in it.
has all the holes in it. % !hose to use &lats that didn)t ha'e trunnion holes in the" already be!ause o&% !hose to use &lats that didn)t ha'e trunnion holes in the" already be!ause o& the "ethod %)" going to use &or "ounting "y trunnions will be di&&erent.
the "ethod %)" going to use &or "ounting "y trunnions will be di&&erent. 4ut the pre!ision part o&4ut the pre!ision part o& &abri!ating a re!ei'er is all in the &lats and the bending ig.
&abri!ating a re!ei'er is all in the &lats and the bending ig. %t)s al"ost idiot$proo& (noti%t)s al"ost idiot$proo& (noti!e % said!e % said Bal"ost :$# #.
Bal"ost :$# #.
4e&ore % wrap this up+ % do want to point out a &ew other things.
4e&ore % wrap this up+ % do want to point out a &ew other things. A lot o& builders that ha'e bent theirA lot o& builders that ha'e bent their own &lats ha'e noti!ed str
own &lats ha'e noti!ed stret!hing/distortion around the "ag welet!hing/distortion around the "ag well opening. l opening. 3his is presu"ably3his is presu"ably be!ause there isn)t really any "etal on the botto" o& the re!ei'er in that area+ and as it bends in the be!ause there isn)t really any "etal on the botto" o& the re!ei'er in that area+ and as it bends in the
&iture+ it
&iture+ it pulls up on pulls up on the sides. the sides. % did not % did not noti!e any distortnoti!e any distortion o& the ion o& the "ag opening whatsoe'er. "ag opening whatsoe'er. %t%t si"ply wasn)t an issue &or us.
si"ply wasn)t an issue &or us. 3he design o& the &or" (with two bolts through the "ag well whi!h put3he design o& the &or" (with two bolts through the "ag well whi!h put a good bind on the "etal on either side o& the opening# plus !opious a"ounts o& grease in the &iture a good bind on the "etal on either side o& the opening# plus !opious a"ounts o& grease in the &iture ept it &ro" e'er being an
ept it &ro" e'er being an issue.issue. Another !o""on issue is
Another !o""on issue is elongation o& the trigger pin elongation o& the trigger pin ($ais# hole. ($ais# hole. And we did see that on ourAnd we did see that on our re!ei'ers.
re!ei'ers. 4e!ause that hole is so 4e!ause that hole is so !lose to the !orner+ the botto" !lose to the !orner+ the botto" o& the is on o& the is on the bend+ and therethe bend+ and there isn)t any "etal abo'e it be!ause o& the hole+ so it doesn)t bend lie the rest o& the re!ei'er.
isn)t any "etal abo'e it be!ause o& the hole+ so it doesn)t bend lie the rest o& the re!ei'er. 3his leads3his leads to the trigger pin hole ha'ing a BdipB at the botto".
to the trigger pin hole ha'ing a BdipB at the botto". ou !an see it in the &irst pi!ture o& Step < o& "you !an see it in the &irst pi!ture o& Step < o& "y tutorial+ abo'e.
tutorial+ abo'e. 3his is easily 3his is easily &ied by woring the "etal gently &ied by woring the "etal gently with a ha""er around the bottwith a ha""er around the botto"o" !orner be&ore tapping it o&&
!orner be&ore tapping it o&& o& the die. o& the die. e !hose not to worry e !hose not to worry about it be!ause it)s an o'erabout it be!ause it)s an o'ersi7ed holesi7ed hole anyway+ so it)s inherently s
anyway+ so it)s inherently stronger than the s"altronger than the s"aller hole on the other side aller hole on the other side already. ready. lus it)ll be heatlus it)ll be heat treated.
treated. And the pin isn)t going to be loose in the hole or anything+ as the distortion is relatiAnd the pin isn)t going to be loose in the hole or anything+ as the distortion is relati'ely'ely "inor there.
"inor there. %t)s really "ost%t)s really "ostly ust a !os"eti! ily ust a !os"eti! issue as &ar as ssue as &ar as % !an tell. % !an tell. %& it bothers %& it bothers you+ round it o'eryou+ round it o'er with a ha""er and wor i
with a ha""er and wor it ba! to the original st ba! to the original shape o& the hole. hape o& the hole. @o biggie.@o biggie. 3ools.
3ools. 3o bend a &3o bend a &lat+ you)ll need slat+ you)ll need so"e basi! tools o"e basi! tools or at least or at least a!!ess to the"a!!ess to the". . -b'iously+ you)ll need-b'iously+ you)ll need a shop press.
a shop press. 3he 20$ton "odel &r3he 20$ton "odel &ro" ;arbor Freight o" ;arbor Freight wored lie a !ha"wored lie a !ha"p. p. A 12$ton should A 12$ton should do itdo it too+ % hear.
too+ % hear. % e'en thin % e'en thin it !ould be done it !ould be done by hand+ with a by hand+ with a de'i!e %)'e designed. de'i!e %)'e designed. %t will %t will be undergoingbe undergoing testing possibly in t
testing possibly in the near &uture+ but "ore on he near &uture+ but "ore on that later. that later. For now+ the sa&e bet is For now+ the sa&e bet is using a press. using a press. %t%t "aes short w
"aes short wor o& it. or o& it. ou)ll also ou)ll also need a good solid need a good solid "ounted 6B ben!h 'ise. "ounted 6B ben!h 'ise. % !ouldn)t see % !ouldn)t see doing itdoing it with a s"aller one.
with a s"aller one. All the ha""ering and !o"prAll the ha""ering and !o"pressing that)s needed &or thiessing that)s needed &or this using the 'ise+ as using the 'ise+ a s"aller one would be !hallenged to get
s"aller one would be !hallenged to get the ob done. the ob done. G'erybody needs a 6B 'ise anyway+ so usG'erybody needs a 6B 'ise anyway+ so ust buyt buy one.
one. ;arbor Freight i;arbor Freight is your &ris your &riend. end. 3hen there is 3hen there is the woring bar+ the woring bar+ i& you !an get i& you !an get one "ade or "one "ade or "aeae one yoursel&.
one yoursel&. %t sa'es %t sa'es a lot o& a lot o& ti"e and trti"e and trouble %;-. ouble %;-. ;a""er$wise+ we ;a""er$wise+ we did pretty "did pretty "u!h e'erythingu!h e'erything with a 5$lb sledge (bending the
with a 5$lb sledge (bending the upper rails and re"o'ing the die &ro" the upper rails and re"o'ing the die &ro" the outside &or"# and a $outside &or"# and a $ pounder &or lighter wor lie no!ing o&& the re!ei'er &ro" the die.
pounder &or lighter wor lie no!ing o&& the re!ei'er &ro" the die. A plain$ane so!et set &or theA plain$ane so!et set &or the bolts on the die.
bolts on the die. A !an o& grease and ,G@3 o& shop rags+ as well as degreaser. A !an o& grease and ,G@3 o& shop rags+ as well as degreaser. 4ut what !a"e in4ut what !a"e in the "ost handy was "is!ellaneous bar sto!.
the "ost handy was "is!ellaneous bar sto!. e used it &or shi""ing the ra" on the press whene used it &or shi""ing the ra" on the press when repositioning to the ends o& the die+
repositioning to the ends o& the die+ we used it &or ha""ering the die we used it &or ha""ering the die out o& the &or"+ we used it &orout o& the &or"+ we used it &or ha""ering the re!ei'er o&& the die+ and we used it &or shi"s in !ases where we had pushed the die ha""ering the re!ei'er o&& the die+ and we used it &or shi"s in !ases where we had pushed the die too &ar into the &or" and need
too &ar into the &or" and needed to push it ba! ed to push it ba! up and botto" it out against the up and botto" it out against the botto" plates o& thebotto" plates o& the &or".
&or". % highly re!o""end ha'ing so"e pie!es % highly re!o""end ha'ing so"e pie!es o& bar sto! layo& bar sto! laying around+ o& 'arious si7es anding around+ o& 'arious si7es and shapes.
So that should pretty "u!h So that should pretty "u!h !o'er "y eperien!e with !o'er "y eperien!e with bending &lats and detail how to bending &lats and detail how to
use this parti!ular bending use this parti!ular bending &iture.
&iture. i'e it i'e it a whirl a whirl andand enoy yoursel&.