Homemade Flat Bending Jig

Step 1. Read the original article. I took this from gunco.net and made a PDF file out of it.

Step 2. Look at the pictures of me using the jig. Click on any image on this page to see a larger version.

Step 3. Go and build your own!

This method is not doing to produce anyting as nice as a factory made receiver, but it will allow you to build a fully functional rifle. If you want to try to build an "off-the-grid" AK but do not want to invest over $100 in a jig, this may be an option for you. I simply had to try this to "get it out of my system".

1. Frame, held together by two long bolts at the ends. 2. Flat sandwiched between the bars. We will be pulling this "sandwich" through the frame. The metal squares you see on two of the four bolts will prevent the "sandwich" from creeping to either side.
3. Frame placed on top of the sandwiched flat. You can see the guides inside the frame will not let the flat creep to one side. 4. Retaining pieces installed. Ready to thread on the nuts and begin tightening them.
5. Side view. The nuts (not pictured yet, they will go on top of the washers) will pull the flat through the frame and bend it. 6. This is the bottom of the flat as it begins its journey through the frame of the jig. The setup is lying on its side. The nuts that you see hold the "sandwich" together. The nuts that are being tightened are on the other side and cannot be seen.
7. When the screws and nuts have done their job, remove the retainin bars and the nuts, turn the whole thing over and gently hammer it all the way through. 8. Here is what you get when it is done going through the jig.
9. A picture of the "poor man's" bend next to a NDS-3 receiver. 10. Hammering top rails. This jig does not give you any better way of doing it than any other jig... I found some flat bar stock to fit under the rails, put it in a vice so that the unbent rails protruded just above it, and hammer away. My rails turned out just a bit too low, so if I did it again I would probably try to figure out a better way to do rails.
 
11. This is what I built on this receiver. The rifle functions flawlessly.

12. Rails were attached using screws. This method works for me and I don't have a spot welder. Finish is Duplicolor.

It ain't a Safe Queen but it does look sharp, I think.