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

[E5RANGER375]

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:

thats awesome! you cant hear it but there are monks chanting in the background and me kneeling to your picture

 

[hotfarmboy1]

thats awesome! you cant hear it but there are monks chanting in the background and me kneeling to your picture

You on your knees, that sounds about right.







Very nice job! It sure would be nice to have that kind of equipment and skill around any farm. I sure wish we had it on ours! I may have to look into learning some of that and getting the equipment.

 

[RealTree]

Totally envious! That is incredible!

 

[Audie Murphy]

Man I wish I had the knowledge and the skill to do what the op and his friend did .

 

[Boiled Owl]

I appreciate the accolades! I guess if I had to advise I'd say it's a waste of time. Certainly cheaper to order a bare lower from AIM and pay the transfer fee. But we killed a couple of weekends this winter. And learned some new skills ESP. Anodizing.

My friend bought a jig. Also the tap to do the buffer tube hole was expensive. The jig wasn't necessary as the digital read out on the mill would locate everything. Most of the machining was done with the blank clamped to an angle plate.

I'll post a link to the how to file that we followed when I get home tonight.

 

[ARdysfunction]

Congrats on the build!

I have seen way more of these projects messed up than functional, especially on the first try...

 

[curraheeguns]

Rep for cool factor!!

 

[Bert]

For those interested you can purchase an 80% finished lower . much of the work is already done . Just as legal , took 20 min. on a CNC milling machine .

 

[MrSmitty]

If I bring you some pot metal can you make me a Hi-point?.........sorry.... that is a really neat job <-----wishing I had those skills!!!!!

 

[Boiled Owl]

Ok! Finally had a moment between LL and softball games.

The machining guide that we followed is here:
Zero to Complete AR Lower

 

[Fenway]

Wow!

 

[lovemachine]

Nice work!

In lucky enough to use 2 Bridgeport mills everyday at work

 

[2cool9031]

Great Job! And you can take that to the bank! I run bridgeports, lathes and grinders everyday for a living. I have been doing this for over 30 years.
I do know what you mean when you say it isn't cost effective to do your own, but there is a satisfaction factor envolved in doing it yourself.