AR Lower....Machined my own/ now what?

[Boiled Owl]

So after we built an couple of AK's my buddy decided we should machine an AR lower on the Bridgeport out of a blank forging. Yes there is a lot of machining to it! Took a couple of weekends.

Any reccomendations on engraving?
Any thoughts on varmint uppers?

He took it home and this is his first attempt at anodizing:

 

[hickuleas]

I would check into the legality of machining your own. Other than that it looks good.

 

[VUPDblue]

Perfectly legal

 

[AllenM]

Engrave it AllenM's just a thought

 

[loony1]

congrats and very nice

 

[LEaSH]

I envisioned something not nearly as well done.

Looks like you guys know what you're doing.

 

[sparky241]

unless you are sbring it or selling it or something you are not required to engrave it

 

[Mr.JAG]

Wow.... that's an awesome ability to have.

Have you test fitted it with a LPK and upper yet?

 

[Boiled Owl]

Wow.... that's an awesome ability to have.

Have you test fitted it with a LPK and upper yet?

I had a Bushmaster M4 Upper that I test fitted and a DPMS parts kit that we used thru the machining process to check and fit and fire.
For the most part it was straight forward, except the magwell. Which we finished using the spindle on the Bridgeport to stroke a tool bit thru a few thousandths at a time. A shaper attachment would have greatly helped. We each did one, and though it wasn't cost effective time an labor wise it was a fun project. My buddy got the building bug after helping with the AK build.

I'm going to have it engraved, likely with a custom logo, just for fun.

 

[mammynun]

I'm going to have it engraved, likely with a custom logo, just for fun.

How about this?

 

[LLDJR]

Did you use 6061 alum? What did the chunk of Alum cost @ $60-$70 ?

Nice work, one day I will have a Mill in my garage, I've always wanted to machine a 1911 frame and slide

 

[Boiled Owl]

Did you use 6061 alum? What did the chunk of Alum cost @ $60-$70 ?

Nice work, one day I will have a Mill in my garage, I've always wanted to machine a 1911 frame and slide

It was a forged blank that externally looked like an AR lower and cost $25.
It doesn't make $en$e to machine your own! Just did it to see if we could.

I'd love to do a 1911. Seems that 1911 frame forgings have dried up?

 

[LLDJR]

It was a forged blank that externally looked like an AR lower and cost $25.
It doesn't make $en$e to machine your own! Just did it to see if we could.

I'd love to do a 1911. Seems that 1911 frame forgings have dried up?

The blank makes perfect sense and the price is right. A block of 6061 would have been $75 and a lot of time spent hogging...

I agree on the 1911 , I see them on occasion, might have to snag one for "some day"

Nice job!

 

[GARANDGUY]

nicely done sir and adonizing looks pretty good!

 

[Hop]

Nice! I want a Bridgeport too.

 

[Boiled Owl]

Nice! I want a Bridgeport too.

They are nice. I went thru the junior college program for tool and diemaking, finished in 1984 and worked 6 weeks in a shop. Had an opportunity to farm and have been since.

Bridgeports are a good value today as shops continue to close. Bargains can be found. Buy tooling too.

The machinist skills have been helpful on the farm for sure. But I'm no where near the level as some of my friend who work in the trade.

What was amazing was the simplicity of the anodizing process. Acid, dye, sealer, buckets, distilled water, and 10 amp battery charger. My friend said it took less than 45 minutes.

 

[lnholmes]

CNCGUNSMITHING - www.cncguns.com - Home of the AR45

Great website with the plans to CNC anything from a 10/22 receiver to a 1911, to even an AR-10 or AK.

 

[Fordtough25]

Very nice! I think we all wish we had that kind of capability in our workshops!!

 

[mutt]

that is about nine different kinds of cool

 

[BIGE7.62]

I've seen the blanks and wondered how they might turn out ,now I can see .Did use anything as a jig or template ? Nice job by the way !!