Receiver rivet dimple

[dlbard]

Can I get someone to give the diameter and depth of the impression for the rail rivets off an original MG42? Thinking about making a die to put them in my BRP receiver. A close up pic would also be nice.

[42rocker]

Not all the same size, but approx avg of .43 inch dia. and depth of .05 inch. That's off a dfb receiver, if I were at home I would look up what company made it. There were 4 companies that made receivers if I remember right. I'll check on that when I get home.

Remember if you make that dimple when you go to set the rivets you should use an approx 3/8 socket on the other side of the rivet that you are setting to back up that area. If that does not make sense check it out just before you go to set the rivets.

Later 42rocker

[dlbard]

I should have said the plural dies. My thought is to make a female and male die with a piloted center. I would tac weld receiver together,rig every thing, then later cut it apart after the rivet holes were located to use the dies.

[42rocker]

Interesting, but why? I would think that you should be able to spot where the rivet holes go by setting a rail on each side. Then make the dimple then weld half's together. Of course thinking about it, could you set the rails then weld the half's together????
Just double checked Myrvang's book on pages 154 & 155 were it shows 18 different stages in the making of the mg42 receiver and it shows the bottom in the stages not the sides. I'm not sure but I think that those dimples were made during the receiver making process not during the rivet setting.... My thoughts were that the dimple area was the target area for setting the rivet and not made during the rivet setting process.
Any other thoughts on this????

Later 42rocker