Ambitious Project...Update.
- Thread starter Daver_II
- Start date
What is your background? Do you have any experience in design, machining, or manufacturing? I've seen a lot of visually appealing designs from people who have downloaded a CAD program but are impossible or prohibitively expensive to manufacture. Even if you come up with a good design and build it, often the economics just aren't feasible to go anywhere with it. I'm speaking from experience.
That being said, there's a lot of experience on this board to pull from.
That being said, there's a lot of experience on this board to pull from.
I am not very experienced in design, But I am pretty good at solving problems.
I have welding, metalworking, carpentry, Hobby electronics, Basic Computer programming, 3d Printing, Basic CNC milling, etc.... And I am pretty good at lego as well.
I am attempting to learn as I go on this one, and so far it seems to be going well.
Like I said earlier, I am paying more attention to manufacturing process, over aesthetics, or weight savings, so I should have a lot of room for over/under cuts.
I am also building this design around being able to do it at home without expensive machinery or specialty cutters. ... That way, I can easily set it up for CNC manufacture if the whole thing works out.
I would hope that cost of manufacturing could be kept low, and relatively simple, so if the RCMP blesses the project it would be profitable. But it not then it will only ever be an amazing learning experience, and a great story at the range.
Have you undertaken a similar project? I would love to compare notes.
Your reply is about what I expected. Move forward with this project, ask for advice when you need it. Try to build at least one prototype.
However, be aware you most likely will never sell this to anyone. It just won't happen. Go into this as a fun, personal project and you will enjoy it while learning tons. Go into it thinking you'll make money and you'll be disappointed.
However, be aware you most likely will never sell this to anyone. It just won't happen. Go into this as a fun, personal project and you will enjoy it while learning tons. Go into it thinking you'll make money and you'll be disappointed.
I already ran some numbers (all estimates... as I am sure there are plenty of hidden costs), and came to pretty much the same conclusion.
Even if I were able to keep the costs down, and get the non-proprietary parts at a reasonable cost, The profit margin on 400 guns at my estimated price-point, would be $25,000-$30,000 total....without paying myself.... So a Year of time that If it was about the money I would do better working as a burger cook at McDonalds.
That is if (a big if) everything went perfectly.... which is about a .005% of happening my first time out...
That said.... I would love to build one.... And CNC makes more than one cheaper than one.... so Maybe to offset the cost of this project I make a few...
Worth a SHOT
Now if I were to count the hours of time, Cost of mistakes, Cost of learning, and so forth.... This is a very financially stupid decision.
Keep in mind that in the next year or so the other choices for NR semi rifles that will be on the market.
MacDef has the SLR, ATR is working on a NR upper/lower, BCL has hinted that they are making one as well. Then CanAm has a NR semi in the works.
With that said I still think that you should at least go through the process for your own enjoyment and build a functioning rifle. Having choice is a good thing.
MacDef has the SLR, ATR is working on a NR upper/lower, BCL has hinted that they are making one as well. Then CanAm has a NR semi in the works.
With that said I still think that you should at least go through the process for your own enjoyment and build a functioning rifle. Having choice is a good thing.
Sounds like a great project. Any new options to the Canadian market is a great thing. We are in testing phase for our rifle right now and we are having a blast.
Let us know if you need any help on this , we have 17 cnc machines and can maybe help with some of your machining if you need.
RWA
Let us know if you need any help on this , we have 17 cnc machines and can maybe help with some of your machining if you need.
RWA
Update, I had a great conversation with a Woman at the CFR - Firearms technical division.
Learned lot about the process of making a firearm at home, as well as a lot about the process in general.
She was even so kind as to send me an email with information about the classification process, and a few linked documents.
What I found most surprising was how encouraging, and supportive she was. I was expecting answers, but she provided a very pleasant conversation, and went out of her way to provide information and support.
Learned lot about the process of making a firearm at home, as well as a lot about the process in general.
She was even so kind as to send me an email with information about the classification process, and a few linked documents.
What I found most surprising was how encouraging, and supportive she was. I was expecting answers, but she provided a very pleasant conversation, and went out of her way to provide information and support.
Well Congrats to Wolverine for the WK180-C rifle they are producing.... Makes my potential commercial interests pretty well a no go....
I will continue my project out of educational interests either way... But that price would be impossible to beat.
I will post more details of my project in the near future as it is progressing quite well.
I will continue my project out of educational interests either way... But that price would be impossible to beat.
I will post more details of my project in the near future as it is progressing quite well.
Looks cool, maybe I shouldn’t say this now, a bit rude, but why not develop a upper and lower NR receiver that’s compatable with ar-15 parts? That would be a bit easier would it not? Plus lots of room for competitors, as many people love to customize. Develop a cool skeleton receiver set. That would certainly be unique here in Canada.
Ha ha. No. I am drawing the line here on including people of all types.
This rifle can be used and enjoyed by people of any colour, creed, orientation, etc.... but no lefties.... lol.
I will put a brass deflector....
Been done by others. (Or currently in the works)
I am building around as many AR parts as possible, but the market is over saturated in that regard.
Plus most that want to buy that already have one ordered.... I know I do.
