redmist 22 Posted November 5, 2010 Report Share Posted November 5, 2010 (edited) The time has come to do something different (for me anyhow) and fun! I am going to try and copy the Great TROMIX S-17 using what little tools I have, and then hope to god it runs! This is the gun I am starting with, It's a Conversion gun that I did a few years back that has been a great range toy, and super reliable. First things first, I pressed off the gas block and started taking measurments. I then had a friend let me use his machine lathe and we turned the barrel down. I am moving the gas block bach 3.75" on the gun. It took us a while to get things figured out, and we still have some learning to do on this process. Next time I will press out the barrel to minimize vibration while cutting. I then used a small carbide rose bud in my dremal to make a guide/bed for my drill bit to set in while starting my gas holes. I am drilling them out to .073 in a 4 port configuration. I used a standard hand drill to do this, and went real slow!! They are drilled at a .45ish degree angle like the factory holes. Two finished, two more to go!! Here is a picture showing my ports, and the factory ports, The green line is where I am cutting the barrel, at 8 inches. I then cut the gas tube down to the needed size. I just cut the fluted section off. and retained the rest of the gas tube/RSB. That's it for today!! Not bad for a few hours, stay tuned, and if anyone has any ideas/suggestions please chime in. More coming tomorrow!!! Edited November 10, 2010 by redmist 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChileRelleno 7,071 Posted November 5, 2010 Report Share Posted November 5, 2010 Worth watching. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gregomega 929 Posted November 5, 2010 Report Share Posted November 5, 2010 I suggest keep documenting. Keep up the good work! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PRISONSHANK 70 Posted November 5, 2010 Report Share Posted November 5, 2010 Great pics! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
redmist 22 Posted November 5, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2010 (edited) Ok, I got up early this morning and ate my lucky charms... I opened up the rear of the gas block in order for the carrier (Will soon be the new piston) so that it could pass through the block, and make contact with the puck. And then out to the press she went!! This is sort of the moment of truth for me, as I need the ports to line up, the gas tube to be the correct length, and crap to just sort of work! So far so good!! This is how it sits as of this morning: Here is a picture looking down at the ports. They are setback just a little, but will still work fine! I'm not going to dick with it. More to come tonight... I plan on cutting down the piston/carrier, and drilling the cross pins for the FSB. Edited November 5, 2010 by redmist 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chupa 34 Posted November 5, 2010 Report Share Posted November 5, 2010 Great write up waiting for more to come. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gregomega 929 Posted November 5, 2010 Report Share Posted November 5, 2010 Me toooooo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
redmist 22 Posted November 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2010 Alright, here comes todays progress... I decided to drill the holes for the crosspins with my small drill press. I got it all lined up and went REAL REAL slow!! It worked! I am surprised it did, but it did. I did snap the tip off of one bit right at the exit of my last hole. No big deal... Pins pressed in. The bottom pin was not as "press fit" as I wanted it so I bent the pin just a bit and pushed it in. The top pin was tight as hell, so I should be good here. And here is my first OOOPPPSSS!! Since I did not turn the barrel down to the factory spec, it was larger then it should have been at the exit of the front of the gas block. This caused the gas adjuster to bind on itself while being screwed half way in. I pulled out my Mill That's "Drem-Mill" and made a pocket for the plug to clear. Worked great! Then I moved onto the piston/carrier. I cut it off right where the threads and carrier join. I slid the carrier back into the gun with the puck installed and the gas plug set at it's stock location, and then took a reading between the carrier and trunnion. I then took that amount off the carrier in order for it to close and seat the gas puck at it's minimums. I then fashioned a "Piston" into the head of the carrier using my bench grinder. I gave it a little polish action to aid in cycling. I am also thinking about using the old piston as a charging handle.. Hmmm.... 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChileRelleno 7,071 Posted November 7, 2010 Report Share Posted November 7, 2010 This is nice work your doing, a pleasure to watch, keep it coming. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
redbeamer 1 Posted November 8, 2010 Report Share Posted November 8, 2010 I'm really enjoying this one. Keep up the good work! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nailbomb 10,221 Posted November 8, 2010 Report Share Posted November 8, 2010 I am also thinking about using the old piston as a charging handle.. Hmmm.... Consider your final sight and/or optic here. You may want more or less charging handle depending, and you may even want to dog let it foward or back. Also in some scenarios galil style setups arn't the best either. Just some things to think about. Loving the thread and project thus far. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BobAsh 582 Posted November 8, 2010 Report Share Posted November 8, 2010 Looks good to me. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChileRelleno 7,071 Posted November 9, 2010 Report Share Posted November 9, 2010 Looks good to me. From one who knows good from otherwise Quote Link to post Share on other sites
redmist 22 Posted November 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2010 SHE RUNS!!!!! This is what the build looked like when I took it out today. first test was one round of low base 7 1/2 shot Gun Club target loads. (just in case it blew up hah!) and it spit it out just fine!! I loaded up a 10 round mag and it all went well. I then took a video of a 10 round mag as I finished off the box. No problems! I also put the gun on the number 1 setting and fired some Federal 6 shot pheasant loads through it. This was high base stuff and WOW! Frickin flame ball, and the whole front of my body got warm. It ran that just fine as well! I am going to still do the spacers on the top cover, and keep tweeking the build. Also a Video will be up-loaded here in short order. 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BobAsh 582 Posted November 9, 2010 Report Share Posted November 9, 2010 Congratulations, good job. The number of guys out there that could pull off a build like this is very small. Actually it is beyond the abilities of many professional builders. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChileRelleno 7,071 Posted November 10, 2010 Report Share Posted November 10, 2010 Shit Hot Build! Very Nice! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
redmist 22 Posted November 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2010 Thank you Mr. Bob ash for the compliments! And all the others watching, I hope to get the tools to refine the build process on stuff like this. We did pick up a Miller Syncrowave200 TIG so I can start doing some fine welding and such. As Promissed, here is the video. Nothing exciting, but it shows that the thing does transfer BB's down range!! 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chupa 34 Posted November 10, 2010 Report Share Posted November 10, 2010 (edited) nice work, she's damn sexy. I need a lathe. Edited November 10, 2010 by chupa Quote Link to post Share on other sites
evlblkwpnz 3,418 Posted November 10, 2010 Report Share Posted November 10, 2010 Looks nice. If I only had a lathe.... with a 10" chuck Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nailbomb 10,221 Posted November 10, 2010 Report Share Posted November 10, 2010 Not only do I wish I had a lathe... I also wish NY was a "free" state. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GeorgiaPD 408 Posted November 10, 2010 Report Share Posted November 10, 2010 Redmist, Congrats on the excellent build and thanks for posting the pics for us to follow along Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mgconnor13 206 Posted November 11, 2010 Report Share Posted November 11, 2010 I'm jealous. Nice work!!! Wish I had a lathe so I could make mine a 8" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gregomega 929 Posted November 11, 2010 Report Share Posted November 11, 2010 Great work, on the build and pic posting! I appreciate your efforts! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
skiboatsp 111 Posted January 5, 2011 Report Share Posted January 5, 2011 A steady rest helps Quote Link to post Share on other sites
corbin 621 Posted January 5, 2011 Report Share Posted January 5, 2011 (edited) Great job! Next time I will press out the barrel to minimize vibration while cutting. I didn't realize you COULD turn it down with the barrel still attached. I figured that would make it wobble like crazy. And here is my first OOOPPPSSS!! Since I did not turn the barrel down to the factory spec, it was larger then it should have been at the exit of the front of the gas block. This caused the gas adjuster to bind on itself while being screwed half way in. My S12 did that from the factory. I had to dremel a flat spot on the barrel too. Does the front of the carrier come out of the back of the trunnion when it's in its rearward most position? I've heard that can happen with some builds. Is that what the spacers are for? Edited January 5, 2011 by Corbin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
skiboatsp 111 Posted January 5, 2011 Report Share Posted January 5, 2011 Great job! Next time I will press out the barrel to minimize vibration while cutting. I didn't realize you COULD turn it down with the barrel still attached. I figured that would make it wobble like crazy. And here is my first OOOPPPSSS!! Since I did not turn the barrel down to the factory spec, it was larger then it should have been at the exit of the front of the gas block. This caused the gas adjuster to bind on itself while being screwed half way in. My S12 did that from the factory. I had to dremel a flat spot on the barrel too. Does the front of the carrier come out of the back of the trunnion when it's in its rearward most position? I've heard that can happen with some builds. Is that what the spacers are for? Turn the outside dia. to clear the barrel Yes on a gas system setback of 3.75" the carrier comes out of the trunion. Spacer in the top cover to keep carrier aligned, and extended tab to keep top cover from poping out of groove. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
redmist 22 Posted January 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2011 Great job! Next time I will press out the barrel to minimize vibration while cutting. I didn't realize you COULD turn it down with the barrel still attached. I figured that would make it wobble like crazy. And here is my first OOOPPPSSS!! Since I did not turn the barrel down to the factory spec, it was larger then it should have been at the exit of the front of the gas block. This caused the gas adjuster to bind on itself while being screwed half way in. Awesome Saigatech!!! I have yet to get the spacers put into my build, but I did get my 3 slot forearm from tromix. I am going to prime Mr. Bob Ash about his light setup in front of his gas plug. Interesting deal with the "steady rest" so it just lets the piece ride on those three rods, and takes the shakes out? Looks like it would work real good for this! My S12 did that from the factory. I had to dremel a flat spot on the barrel too. Does the front of the carrier come out of the back of the trunnion when it's in its rearward most position? I've heard that can happen with some builds. Is that what the spacers are for? Turn the outside dia. to clear the barrel Yes on a gas system setback of 3.75" the carrier comes out of the trunion. Spacer in the top cover to keep carrier aligned, and extended tab to keep top cover from poping out of groove. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
redmist 22 Posted January 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2011 A little update on my 8" SAIGA-12 build: I recieved my mid length forarm from TROMIX and got it bolted up to the gun. I took a MAGPUL "RVG" and a section of rail and mounted it to the bottom of the forarm. I blended the front of the rail to fit the contour of the grip. I like the blocky look of the verticle grip as it goes with the rest of the gun. And I also went to Cabelas and found a choke tube for an 870 in the bargain bin for $20 I cut the threaded choke section off and then attached the "Breacher tactical" end to the barrel of my build. This was the first time I have EVER !! TIG welded! I used a brand new Miller syncrowave 200. I am happy as hell with how this turned out, but in the end it looks real good for a beginner weld. I have done plenty of MIG, but this TIG stuff kicks ass!!! I am going to extend the gas plug to the end of the guard some how to fill in the gap, and then move to the back of the gun for some changes! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
skiboatsp 111 Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 (edited) But why would you permenatly attach it? I change my muzzle device every week Seriously though...I am very happy to see more non business members building SBS saiga's It's just not that hard if you really want it!!!!!! Edited January 17, 2011 by saigatechusa Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JONNYROCKO 37 Posted January 20, 2011 Report Share Posted January 20, 2011 Wow! Looks Great! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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