spur0701 0 Posted November 3, 2004 Report Share Posted November 3, 2004 I'm on my third Saiga-12 conversion and the hardest thing about every one has been drilling out that front weld on the trigger guard. I dull a titanium bit for each weld per gun. Anyone found a better way to do it? Some other type of bit? Or a grinder bit? Or something? I've got four more to do and I've got everything down to a science except for this one step......thanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jtoddellis 2 Posted November 3, 2004 Report Share Posted November 3, 2004 I couldn't get mine drilled all the way through so I took a screw driver and hammer and broke the weld off the trigger plate. then I ground it flat with a bench grinder and tried drilling the otherside but burnt up 3 drill bits and couldnt get through it. I then took a punch and hammer and that worked great. I just laid the trigger guard on a vise and punched right through it. I couldn't believe it worked. I was about ready to give up. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JBONE 0 Posted November 3, 2004 Report Share Posted November 3, 2004 just grind the weld down with a dremel wheel then put a thin bladed screwdriver under the trigger and give it a couple whacks should pop right off. JBONE Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KySoldier 2 Posted November 3, 2004 Report Share Posted November 3, 2004 I dulled a few bits trying to get mine off. Gave up and just cut the guard off the plate that you remove anyway that it was attached to. Much easier than drilling if you ask me. The trigger guard stayed intact and the plate was discarded all cut to pieces. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cesiumsponge 0 Posted November 4, 2004 Report Share Posted November 4, 2004 Drilled it with a new TiN coated bit on a drill press and vice, then wiggled the guard until it popped off the plate. Are you using a lower speed (~800rpm) and a cutting lubricant? That makes a big deal. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
screaming eagle 0 Posted November 4, 2004 Report Share Posted November 4, 2004 l used the burnt orange abrasive wheel on my dremel. l ground thru the spot weld from the underside in about 5-6 mins w/o any noticable wear on the wheel or horrible disfiguring of the exposed finish on the trigger gaurd Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cesiumsponge 0 Posted November 4, 2004 Report Share Posted November 4, 2004 Did my receiver not get case-hardened or something? It took me about 30 seconds tops to drill a hole through that weld, and I was purposely going slow so I would reduce the burrs and additional filing time on the exit side. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bvamp 604 Posted November 4, 2004 Report Share Posted November 4, 2004 no, you are supposed to drill hellaciously slow into hardened metal anyway. You are giving it a whack first with a punch to make your drill starting mark i take it too? do you do both of these things, spur? with a shot of oil or other lubricant to keep the heat down? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cesiumsponge 0 Posted November 4, 2004 Report Share Posted November 4, 2004 A good punch helps the drill bit bite into the metal since most standard drill bits have a flat section torwards the middle (and of course to keep it from wandering). A good cutting oil works wonders, keeps the heat down and use it in quantity. Slow rpm; take it easy when it's about to drill through or it can catch and deform sheet metal. My bit I used is still sharp Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Messiah Jones 2 Posted November 6, 2004 Report Share Posted November 6, 2004 I'm on my third Saiga-12 conversion and the hardest thing about every one has been drilling out that front weld on the trigger guard. I dull a titanium bit for each weld per gun. Anyone found a better way to do it? Some other type of bit? Or a grinder bit? Or something? I've got four more to do and I've got everything down to a science except for this one step......thanks The best way I've found is to remove the whole trigger guard and bottom plate, then flip it over and grind it from the bottom with a dremel tool. Just grind where you think the weld is and before you know it the thing will pop apart easily. I learned my lesson the hard way too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
McUZI 1 Posted November 6, 2004 Report Share Posted November 6, 2004 Did my receiver not get case-hardened or something? You are correct. Your receiver wasn't case-hardened Quote Link to post Share on other sites
spur0701 0 Posted November 8, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 I've been using Titanium bits with the drill press set to the lowest speed and have been using cutting fluid....I can get through it but it eats bits and I've got a bunch to do. I've found the easiest way is to just pop it off with a chisel then punch it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sheik Yerbouti 0 Posted November 15, 2004 Report Share Posted November 15, 2004 I use a 3/16 TiN coated end mill. Haven't had any problems... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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