jimdigriz 580 Posted November 16, 2009 Report Share Posted November 16, 2009 Some may recall that I broke off the tap in my 7.62x39's bullet guide hole. I've temporarily set that one aside, while working on my wife's 5.45x39. I drilled the bullet guide hole today, and ran the tap through it, thankfully without incident this time. But the screw wouldn't go into the hole; it was too tight. So I ran the tap all the way through again. I got the screw in a bit further, but not really far at all, before it got tight and stopped. What's the secret to getting this right? I'm using an 8-32 tap, and Dinzag's bullet guide and screw. If I can get past this, I'll be on the downhill run. Any suggestions? Thanks. Jim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TacSat 90 Posted November 16, 2009 Report Share Posted November 16, 2009 is the screw 8/32? put the screw tip to tip see if they look like the same diameter. then go past the tips and see if the thread match. if they are the same the thread pitch will match. and they will fit nicely together. you may have an 8/24 screw. that is the easy start. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jimdigriz 580 Posted November 16, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2009 is the screw 8/32? put the screw tip to tip see if they look like the same diameter. then go past the tips and see if the thread match. if they are the same the thread pitch will match. and they will fit nicely together. you may have an 8/24 screw. that is the easy start. The bullet guide kit came with an 8-32 tap, but I used the one (also 8-32) that came with my tap wrench that has a screw driver handle, because it's longer and fits the tap wrench better. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
oxyehho 8 Posted November 16, 2009 Report Share Posted November 16, 2009 is the screw 8/32? put the screw tip to tip see if they look like the same diameter. then go past the tips and see if the thread match. if they are the same the thread pitch will match. and they will fit nicely together. you may have an 8/24 screw. that is the easy start. The bullet guide kit came with an 8-32 tap, but I used the one (also 8-32) that came with my tap wrench that has a screw driver handle, because it's longer and fits the tap wrench better. Gotta second TacSat - sounds like a pitch mismatch - either the tap or the screw is not 8/32. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jimdigriz 580 Posted November 16, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2009 is the screw 8/32? put the screw tip to tip see if they look like the same diameter. then go past the tips and see if the thread match. if they are the same the thread pitch will match. and they will fit nicely together. you may have an 8/24 screw. that is the easy start. The bullet guide kit came with an 8-32 tap, but I used the one (also 8-32) that came with my tap wrench that has a screw driver handle, because it's longer and fits the tap wrench better. Gotta second TacSat - sounds like a pitch mismatch - either the tap or the screw is not 8/32. It doesn't seem likely that Dinzag would send out mismatching parts though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
oxyehho 8 Posted November 16, 2009 Report Share Posted November 16, 2009 It doesn't seem likely that Dinzag would send out mismatching parts though. True, it could be the tap you are using is not an 8/32. Just use calipers to compare the pitches of the tap to the screw. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
saigafreake 27 Posted November 16, 2009 Report Share Posted November 16, 2009 them screwdriver tap handles make that job easy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
paprotective 362 Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Mine came with a #6 and 6-32 tap. After tapping with the first (which broke twice) I bought a Kobalt Tap from Lowes for $4.29 just got er' done then broke off inside. But its in. Tight as HECK I may add. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Deussne 38 Posted November 19, 2009 Report Share Posted November 19, 2009 Why not just weld the sucker in there? How thick is that bullet guide? will a 1/4" metal work? I might just cut a bunch of squares and mill the part that goes under the barrel. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jimdigriz 580 Posted November 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2009 (edited) It doesn't seem likely that Dinzag would send out mismatching parts though. True, it could be the tap you are using is not an 8/32. Just use calipers to compare the pitches of the tap to the screw. OK, figured it out. The thread lines of the taps I have (the ones that come with the screwdriver handle tap wrench from Sears) taper off rapidly as you approach the tip. So even though you can see the tap protruding from the bottom some, you have to go further to fully thread it. Once you reach the point where the tap turns easily, with no resistance, you're done. So I was able to finally get it done. Now only easy stuff is left! Can't wait to hit the range later this week! Jim Edited November 24, 2009 by Jim Digriz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jeepranch 16 Posted December 23, 2009 Report Share Posted December 23, 2009 It doesn't seem likely that Dinzag would send out mismatching parts though. True, it could be the tap you are using is not an 8/32. Just use calipers to compare the pitches of the tap to the screw. OK, figured it out. The thread lines of the taps I have (the ones that come with the screwdriver handle tap wrench from Sears) taper off rapidly as you approach the tip. So even though you can see the tap protruding from the bottom some, you have to go further to fully thread it. Once you reach the point where the tap turns easily, with no resistance, you're done. So I was able to finally get it done. Now only easy stuff is left! Can't wait to hit the range later this week! Jim how did the test firing go? I discovered mine didnt like hollow points until I smoothed the edge of the bullet guide a little Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paulry 50 Posted December 23, 2009 Report Share Posted December 23, 2009 Jim, Target photos!? What to see how accurate the Saiga 5.45x39 is. Thanks Frosty Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jimdigriz 580 Posted December 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2009 how did the test firing go? I discovered mine didnt like hollow points until I smoothed the edge of the bullet guide a little I didn't even know you could find hollow points for the 5.45. The gun fires absolutely flawlessly. I'm very pleased with it, and so is my wife. (I bought this gun for her). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jimdigriz 580 Posted December 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2009 Jim, Target photos!? What to see how accurate the Saiga 5.45x39 is. Thanks Frosty I haven't taken any photos yet, but the gun is capable of great accuracy, especially, in my case, when using a red dot. I'm not a particularly good shot when using AK open sights (I prefer aperture sights), although hopefully that will change. I didn't shoot much with the red dot, but I got a 7 shot group a bit over half an inch in size at 25 yards. That would be less than 3 inches at 100 yards, and, as I said on another forum, I think I could do better still with a sling. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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