If you cant buy'em, build'em

[GAP]

I got my 7075 in this weekend to mill myself some lowers. Enough to make 2, actually. I'll post pics as it progresses.

[phaux]

Nice. Do you have a mill?

[brandon01rt]

So jelly

[GAP]

Nice. Do you have a mill?

I sure wish I had my own mill. One day for sure. I'm a machinist, we've got 15 vertical mills and a lathe at work that I use as weekend playthings. Weekend after next i'll start making chips.

[Nash B.]

How much is that going to cost you in material, and how much time is it going to take?

[brandon01rt]

Too bad it's illegal to make them for other people. I'd be all over it.

[Nash B.]

It's not illegal with the right paperwork.

[GAP]

How much is that going to cost you in material, and how much time is it going to take?

Well, the aluminum for the 2 lowers themselves was $75. But then I need some 6061 aluminum to make some jaws for the vise, and a jig to do the 5 side operations (maybe another $25). And of course tooling (a few endmills, drills, 1/4-28 tap, thread mill). edit: Oh, and whatever it cost to anodize them.

It will be time consuming because of the number of operations. I'd say a good 8hrs on the first one. I'm sure i'll make at least a couple mistakes in my programs!

[NoClassic]

Is there a reason you decided against working from raw forgings?

[brandon01rt]

I wish I had the skill to machine receivers...

[GAP]

Is there a reason you decided against working from raw forgings?

I figure if i'm going to do it, I might as well just make the whole thing from scratch.

[NoClassic]

A man who likes a challenge. Excited to see updates on this. Promise you will machine a texas rat snake or pit pull with cropped ears into the mag well side.

edit: Better yet a pit eating a texas rat snake

[David]

I'd make sure you cover all bases when making your own stuff, especially when it's not your machines. You'd hate for the ATF to seize someone's lively hood just to make some receivers on the weekend.

[71chevellejohn]

I'd make sure you cover all bases when making your own stuff, especially when it's not your machines. You'd hate for the ATF to seize someone's lively hood just to make some receivers on the weekend.

Assuming anything he makes is strictly for his own usage. What would be the difference(in the ATF's eyes) from this and finishing out a "80%" lower?

Just curious.

[GAP]

Assuming anything he makes is strictly for his own usage. What would be the difference(in the ATF's eyes) from this and finishing out a "80%" lower?

Just curious.

...or AK flats. But I see what he is saying. I'm keeping my nose clean.