AR lower forgings...

[WRMorrison]

I thought I would share a current project I'm working on. Eventually, I plan to make a few lowers (and maybe uppers, don't know) from billet, but until I can figure out some of the programming quirks, I figured these would keep me busy. They're 7075 T-6 forgings from DSA: http://www.dsarms.com/prodinfo.asp?number=1001
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd178/WRMorrison/forgings.jpg

I bought the drill jig from here: http://www.cncguns.com/tooling.html . Even though it's meant to be used with 80% receivers, I found that it works really well for different operations on the raw forgings. I'm using a combination of two tutorials to get everything done:
http://www.cncguns.com/projects/ar15lower80tutorial.html
http://www.ray-vin.com/frtech.htm

I've still got a ways to go, but they're coming along nicely. So far, everything's turned out great and everything fits......
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd178/WRMorrison/forging1.jpg
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd178/WRMorrison/forging3.jpg
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd178/WRMorrison/forging4.jpg
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd178/WRMorrison/forging5.jpg
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd178/WRMorrison/forging6.jpg
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd178/WRMorrison/forging7.jpg

-WRM

[TY44934]

Awesome work so far! Thanks.

All: just as an adult is allowed to brew their own beer at home, you are also allowed to makwe your own gun at home as long as its in a legal configuration and you intend to 1) make it for your self & not to sell or give to anyone and 2) YOU do all the work to complete the gun.

Just like with beer - you don't have to "register" the beer, or the gun you make. America does not have gun registration (yet) in most states (check your state laws first). While not required, its a good idea to make up a pretend "serial number" and stamp it on the gun you make at home.

Its also easy to set up your own anodizing system at home to produce results equal to [edit - since there are those who will undoubtedly argue a meaningless point].

Anyway, keep the pics coming - looks great so far.

[WRMorrison]

Thanks for the compliment. I'm not sure if I want to anodize these or not. I can get a break on it through work, but I think I may just Duracoat these to match the rifles that they'll be assembled into.

These will also be engraved with serial numbers and maybe a logo and custom selector pictogram.

I'm just glad that the raw forgings are fairly cheap as I just screwed the first one up from a stupid mistake.... I forgot to lock down the quill when machining the gap between the pivot pin ears and milled down too deep into the magwell. Not by much, but just enough to screw things up...:mad:

One to learn my mistakes on (and help fill the scrap bucket) and two to finish correctly...

-WRM

[ARin]

if the result is something you would like to preserve, i would suggest having it C3 anodized. this keeps the pin holes from egging and toughens the threads.

[WRMorrison]

Well, I've got one done now (sans the buffer hole not being tapped). There's a few cosmetic blems (lessons learned), but nothing that effects function as I've already assembled it with a lpk and attached it to an upper for testing the fit.

One down, two or more to go....

-WRM

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd178/WRMorrison/forging12.jpg
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd178/WRMorrison/forging11.jpg
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd178/WRMorrison/forging10.jpg
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd178/WRMorrison/forging9.jpg
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd178/WRMorrison/forging8.jpg

[Jeffy]

Wow, very impressive.

[Impact]

looks great

[WRMorrison]

Thanks!

-WRM

[th1npower]

great job!


post up more photos.. :cool:

[warpigM-4]

I wish I could do that!! I am jealous:( do you have to put a serial number on that? and good job man!

[th1npower]

i don't believe it has to have a serial # or be registered..

[LonghunterCO]

i don't believe it has to have a serial # or be registered..


Nope.

[LonghunterCO]

if the result is something you would like to preserve, i would suggest having it C3 anodized. this keeps the pin holes from egging and toughens the threads.
I second that. I would send it out to Victor and get it anodized. It looks too good to let it ware out. Great job.

[WRMorrison]

It doesn't need to have a serial number, but it will get engraved with one. Mainly, in case it's ever stolen, I can prove that it's mine. I'll also engrave some sort of logo on the mag well and maybe a custom selector pictogram.

I'm still undecided on the finish, but I may anodize it before it get it's eventual Duracoat.

-WRM

[WRMorrison]

Well, here it is assembled and mated with an upper. It passes the function check, mags drop free, etc. If I have time, I plan to give it a test fire this weekend, but I don't forsee any problems. Once I get a few more done, I'll batch engrave and Duracoat them.

-WRM

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd178/WRMorrison/finished2.jpg
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd178/WRMorrison/finished3.jpg

And maybe I'll engrave the good ol' EGA on the magwell:
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd178/WRMorrison/croppedega.jpg