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westford86
09-24-12, 23:57
I've got an AR receiver at Ident that's down there for some SBR engraving. While it's there I wanted to give it a personal touch. So I created a vector version of the Vermont coat of arms, to be engraved on the mag well. I wanted to get an idea of how it would look before permanently altering a lower, so I made a 1:1 outline of a receiver in Illustrator, and tested the design on a 1/4" MDF receiver.

I obviously couldn't get as elaborate as the original drawing with my rendition of the design, engraving equipment has it's limitations. My laser at work isn't quite as precise as the machines they have at places like Ident, so hopefully the final product will be a little crisper. I originally did a much more detailed vector design, but when engraving at 1 5/16" the detail is completely lost and just makes the image a big blob.

http://www.westford86.com/m4carbine/engraving/VT_avatar-2up_web.jpg

I had way to much fun doing this, and figured I might as well share... What do you guys think? I'm really liking the 2D lower as a desk ornament.

http://www.westford86.com/m4carbine/engraving/_MG_2812.jpg
http://www.westford86.com/m4carbine/engraving/_MG_2815.jpg
http://www.westford86.com/m4carbine/engraving/_MG_2817.jpg
RD62
09-25-12, 06:11
I think you did a great job and the 2D lower is kinda neat.
devinsdad
09-25-12, 17:34
One of a kind! You should shop this to Vermont shooters forums.
eternal24k
09-30-12, 16:23
That is badass. You did a great job. Looking forward to the final results
westford86
09-30-12, 18:10
Because I have no clue how to embed a video on this forum; here is a link to a video of the 2D receiver being engraved and cut -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOlEf75lds8&feature=youtu.be
Anomic
09-30-12, 18:16
That is soo cool!

Of course the virginia seal would look better....

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm127/conhntr3030/e655097e5ad52cd11ee55fb104fcaf55.jpg
westford86
11-19-12, 16:01
I got my receiver back from Ident. I couldn't be happier with the results!

http://www.westford86.com/m4carbine/engraving/IMG_2361_Web.jpg
RD62
11-19-12, 18:43
That did turn out really well and great job with the picture.
Moonlight Again
11-19-12, 19:45
That's some good stuff, right there.

It's nice that you thought of it, and pursued it, and it turned out very nicely. The coat of arms looks good on the receiver, and it's hard to knock "Freedom and Unity" as a motto. (Except, of course, for semper fidelis.)
Bowser
11-20-12, 01:51
You should make more of those 2D lowers for drink coasters and what not. I would like some!
hunt_ak
11-20-12, 11:06
I got my receiver back from Ident. I couldn't be happier with the results!

http://www.westford86.com/m4carbine/engraving/IMG_2361_Web.jpg

Did they re-anodize after etching?
westford86
11-20-12, 22:33
Did they re-anodize after etching?

I'm not sure exactly what they do after the engraving. I'd assume they re-anodize it. It is a little shiny in the area of the engraving...
DJ_Skinny
11-20-12, 22:42
Yeah... that's pretty much badass. You should do one with your family crest (2D or on another lower). Great job!
westford86
11-21-12, 17:36
You should make more of those 2D lowers for drink coasters and what not. I would like some!

I would if I still had access to the lazer. I'm no longer working in the shop that had it... If they weren't so damn expensive, I'd buy one and make those things all day long.


Yeah... that's pretty much badass. You should do one with your family crest (2D or on another lower). Great job!

Thanks. I don't think I have a family crest, and if I do, I have no clue what it is... Vermont is just about the only thing I have any sentiment of heritage or attachment to, so I felt that it was appropriate. I do wish more people that got custom engraving would do stuff like their crest, instead of dumb shit like "zombie hunter squad"; it would be a lot classier.

_______________________________________

Anyway, my Tax stamp came yesterday (good timing), here is the final product. It's nothing like what I intended. My barrel order got screwed up, so at the last minute I had to completely change the direction of the build from a KISS/SHTF gun to something a little more sleek and modern. It's a hodgepodge of what I had available.

It's really annoying that we have to jump through hoops to get a nice and light, well balanced rifle.

http://www.westford86.com/m4carbine/engraving/_MG_0794_Web.jpg
http://www.westford86.com/m4carbine/engraving/_MG_0789_Web.jpg
http://www.westford86.com/m4carbine/engraving/_MG_0773_Web.jpg

ETA : Before you ask, I photoshopped out the NFA engraving. I'm sure all you guys are great, but the internet doesn't need to know certain things...