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Thread: Milled my first 80% Lower

  1. #11
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    it's a X2 mini mill...

    actually works pretty good for where it was made...

  2. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by m4forme View Post
    it's a X2 mini mill...

    actually works pretty good for where it was made...
    I have been lurking in cnc zone forum the LMS X2 version looks very tempting. I have some very limited maching experience and would like to learn more. I have a very small work space just a converted small bed room. The table top machine would be all I could accommodate. The CNC conversions look very tempting and I would like to learn more to add to the skill set.
    I am just trying to contemplate all I could do with such a lay out.
    Last edited by Thomas M-4; 08-21-11 at 04:24.

  3. #13
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    What finish is suggested for the aluminum lower? Black Manganese Parkerizing it says is not for aluminum.

    http://www.parkerizingkits.com/html/...zing_faqs.html
    Last edited by LRS143; 08-23-11 at 08:05.

    Psalm 144:1
    Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle;

  4. #14
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    A anodized finish is

    whats called for on a aluminum...

    there are some good sights for home brew finishing...

    Guys are having good luck with DuraCoat so i'm going to try that on the first couple i do...

  5. #15
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    I was able to do 5 lowers at the same time with some friends, and had a local shop anodize them to the tune of $125 for all 5. My only suggestion is that you engrave before anodizing, or only laser engrave after anodizing.


    Please don't ask me how I know

  6. #16
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    well it's finished...

    the big brown truck dropped off my order from Brownells the other day...

    Picked up one of the DuraCoat kits with the Preval sprayer...
    Sprayed material a little heavy but worked well... I'll probally get a airbrush for the next time...

    The only issue was not giving enough dry time before installing the parts... Put a couple nicks in the finish but not a big deal... It's just a beater rifle to drag around the ranch...

    So here's a run down on what it cost to do this...

    Colt SP1 upper $400

    Harbor Freight Mill $450

    Tooling...
    Vice,end mills,drill bits,collets & set up tools ect $450

    80% lower & jig $200

    LPK,used A2 stock,KNS pins & DuraCoat $150

    So i have $1650 into making my own rifle and a few hours my of time...

    Was it worth it i'd say yes it was alot of fun learning how to do this myself...

    My next one will be a 20 inch A4...
    Palmetto Armory is killing me with there 20 inch CHF kits...
    Gotta have one!!!
    Last edited by m4forme; 08-11-13 at 19:13.

  7. #17
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    Is this what you used to do this?


    http://www.harborfreight.com/two-spe...ine-44991.html


    I'm kind of interested.

  8. #18
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    Yes thats the....

    mill i bought... It was $430 0r $460 shipped found a coupon code that gave me a good discount...

    Bought the tooling from Little Machine Shop.com... They have starter kits for around $300 but were out so i had to piece one togeather...
    The vice i got is a little big for the table but it works...

    McMaster Carr is a good place to get single drill bits and end mills...

    Tactical Machining is where i got my jig and lower... I think there stuff is very good... The jig works very well... The receivers i got have the keyhole forge mark on them... They also have a very good builders fourm...

    https://www.tacticalmachining.com/

    Next time I'm going to try anodize my own there are kits out there for around $200... It can be done small scale with old coolers and 5 gallon buckets and crap you can find at second hand stores...

    Is doing this cost effective probally not we can all get lowers for $50 on sale... But what fun is that when you can mill your own and teach yourself a new skill...

    What I'd like to do is make my own unique semi auto rifle like a version of the Armalite AR-16... It could be done it would take a little time...

    Look what Mr. Stoner created out of his small shop all those years ago...

  9. #19
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    Thanks for the info, I need to put it on my retirement list. Looks like an interesting hobby.

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