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How much rivet should you leave outside the reciever before forming the rivet head when installing the rails I was told about 1-1/2 times the dia,but it seems a bit long

That is what I used,the actual original length is in JBaums manual,length of entire rivet.I don't have it with me though.It may make a diferance with the type of rivet you use,the head profile may not be the same as original and would throw you off.I practiced with scrap until I got it right,but I also have a big rivet factory,so a few wasted didn't matter! ---bil

i tried 1-1/2 for a full round on a test piece turned out nice Thank You

What method of forming did you use?

if you go to pirates mg42 build i used his method ,i do have an air rivet tool ,but a little heat and home made anvil worked easily.

When I was assembling my first one, I was hammering away at those rivets and I reminded me of when I was younger on the farm changing out the teeth on a swather. No matter how tight you riveted them after a year of not being changed (or less) they would get loose. When you look how they were originally riveted they put incredible force on them. Enough to indent the receiver. After that thought I decided to weld in the rails. I used to original holes to align everything up and keep every thing evenly spaced while I welded up the receiver. After that was done. I removed one of the alignment bolts and mill the receiver to a 7/16 hole. I had cut some rivets to the correct length so they were flush with the other side of the rail. Using a small bucking bar I then put the to rivet heads on the inside of the rail. I then welded the rivet, rail and receiver together. Ground the weld flat on the outside of the receiver. I repeated this process until all the alignment bolts were removed and replaced with rivets. I them marked the outside of the receiver where the out side rivet heads were going to be placed. Milled a 7/16 dimple and them used a stud gun to weld rivets in place. I had cut off the rivets at the head so all I had was the rivet head. Hear is a pic of the first receiver I tried it on. I have assembled another receiver and two MG42's with this process and I am very happy with the results. I even cut the rivets out of the first one and redid them.

Hey “Oakrodent” I think if a guy has the skills that is the way to go, your receiver looks great. I assume this is your auction:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... =102411209

That is a really good deal for some guy just looking for a near complete rear half, as most of the hard work is done.