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nathanb

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Hey,

So, I'm going to be purchasing a desktop CNC machine for myself in the not-to-distant future. It's for other projects, but one of the ideas that popped into my head was machining gun parts/accessories. The hardest material it'll cut is brass and aluminum (it'll do plastics, wax etc.), with a table size of 12" x 12" x 2ish".

Is there anything you guys can think of that might be useful and/or potentially profitable to produce? Sights? Custom grips? Autosears? (I kid!)

Also, would I need some sort of license from the Feds to start selling gun parts? What about just accessories?
 
nathanb said:
Hey,

So, I'm going to be purchasing a desktop CNC machine for myself in the not-to-distant future. It's for other projects, but one of the ideas that popped into my head was machining gun parts/accessories. The hardest material it'll cut is brass and aluminum (it'll do plastics, wax etc.), with a table size of 12" x 12" x 2ish".

Is there anything you guys can think of that might be useful and/or potentially profitable to produce? Sights? Custom grips? Autosears? (I kid!)

Also, would I need some sort of license from the Feds to start selling gun parts? What about just accessories?
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AFAIK, right up until you start selling recievers or taking in guns for repair, you don't need a firearms business permit.
 
"...a desktop CNC machine..." What kind? Mill? Lathe?
"...hardest material it'll cut is brass and aluminum..." Limits you severely.
 
sunray said:
"...a desktop CNC machine..." What kind? Mill? Lathe?
"...hardest material it'll cut is brass and aluminum..." Limits you severely.
Click to expand...

It's a Roland MDX-40 Mill. I know I won't be able to really machine anything big.. or made of steel, iron etc. but there's gotta be something small and/or plastic that I can fab myself...

If it was bigger, I'd mill some plastic and turn my SL8 into a G36 clone:)
 
1 - handstops for prone sling shooters (aluminum, drilled for a T-nut and a tensioning screw)
2 - muzzle fashion accessories for semi-auto guns (ie Ruger 10/22 muzzle weights and compensators)
3 - wood Luger magazine bases
4 - cheekrest elevator bases and tensioning screws (pm me and I'll send you some pics of ones I made myself long hand)
5 - handgun grips
6 - any imagineable part for the handle end of a knife
 
cnc stuff

Hi Nathanb, I have a shopbot with a plasma torch on it. I dont have the interface kit working yet. When I do I might be able to help you out with your smaller steel parts you want. I already have a copy of a old lyman sight for win 95 made for myself. Fun stuff ! Hope you enjoy your machine.
Curtis.
 
Roland MDX-40 Mill
Acceptable materials ABS, Delrin, Nylon, Wood, Wax, Epoxy and Urethane Modeling Boards
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No metals listed. This is a CNC router, not a mill. It has it's uses but not likely for generating metal parts.
 
NavyShooter said:
Have you thought about maybe trying the Sherline CNC mills? Probably about 1/3-1/4 the price with similar size and capabilities.
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This is the first I've seen of this brand; I might have to look into it more. I basically did a google for "desktop cnc" and discovered the Roland machines. I've talked to a few industrial sales reps-- they couldn't help me much-- unless I wanted a 5 axis 20' x 20' machine for $100,000.

The big reason I'm looking at this machine is because it's a 4 axis. I was originally looking at a 3 axis, but for the machine's primary use (jewelry manufacturing) the 4th axis saves me a lot of headaches.
Rudy H said:
No metals listed. This is a CNC router, not a mill. It has it's uses but not likely for generating metal parts.
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I'm still very new to the whole world of CNC; Roland has it listed as a milling machinehttp://www.rolanddga.com/asd/products/milling/MDX40/default.asp?menu=SPECIFICATIONS&nxt=3-- I couldn't tell you the difference between a router and a milling machine anyways :)
When I talked to the local rep he said it'll cut the same material as the smaller MDX-15. Granted, I'm going to go through tools pretty quick... I still have to find out how much metal would cost me-- it may be too prohibitive anyways.
iiijbird said:
Hi Nathanb, I have a shopbot with a plasma torch on it. I dont have the interface kit working yet. When I do I might be able to help you out with your smaller steel parts you want.
Click to expand...
Cool, thanks.
 
No offense, but do you know what 'CNC' means? You know you need to connect the thing to a computer?
The MDX-40 Milling Machine does not do any metal? It's for the printing and plastics proto-type industries, not any form of gunsmithing. This'd explain why you're going through tooling. They're not made for metals.
Mind you, if you don't know the difference between a router and a mill, you have a lot of learning to do before you start making anything.
 
You will find you can do a lot of non ferrous parts. You may be limited by the size. Before you buy any machine be aware of what software you are going to need to drive it. You need something to draw with and another to generate tool paths that actually do the cutting. Depending how fancy you want to get (4D) I think you are looking a min of $5000 plus computers. You will probably want one seperate from the one driving it in a clean area for creating files. Some may suggest a variety of big buck software but when the money is out of your own pocket it brings reality back. Borrowed software may get you going but it is definately better to have your own copies when it is a business situation vs a hobby. Of course then you will need a 3D laser scanner to help with reverse engineering, ask me how I know?? (a probe is too slow)
 
Granted, I'm going to go through tools pretty quick...
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You might be going through bearings as well. I'm not saying it can't cut metal but you may get very short life from the machine. Considering it's not cheap I would do a little more research before you commit to this.

Sherline & Prazi supposedly make desktop CNC milling machines that are affordable by hobbyists.

http://www.ipnews.com/archives/houstex/mar02/int_sales_prazi.htm
 
Nathan I just converted a bridgeport series 1 cnc to PC control. Not sure what the price range of what you are looking at but I have about 3000 in mine not including my time.
Its allot bigger I’m sure and can mill what a normal mill can.
Ian I'm interested in this 3 d scanning you are talking about what’s involved and $.
I will see if I can round up a pick.
 
This is it in its original condition I don’t have an after yet.

P8310004.jpg

This is the power supply/interface/stepper motor controllers.
PC040097.jpg

Technology is amazing to go from 500lbs of old control to a PC and this box and do 1000 times more stuff.
You can also use this box and buy steppers and make you own router or plasma cutter table. There is lots of info out there.
By all means if you don't have the time or the fiddle factor go buy a running unit but don't limit yourself at the same time.
Hope this helpes a wee bit.
Stephen
 
cnc stuff

As far as programing goes the learning curve was just to steep for now, I have a guy hired to do my computer stuff. Most of my stuff is 2 D and large parts for now. Its mind boggeling how much info there is out there on the internet. Takes lots of time to figure out what works for you. As you might tell I my back ground is not with computers, That makes a diferance as well.
Pretty interesting stuff you guys got goin on!!
Curtis.
 
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Flip through a Sinclair or Brownell's catalog. There's lots of accessories made from Delrin, that would be easy to produce your own version of.
 
sunray said:
No offense, but do you know what 'CNC' means? You know you need to connect the thing to a computer?
The MDX-40 Milling Machine does not do any metal? It's for the printing and plastics proto-type industries, not any form of gunsmithing. This'd explain why you're going through tooling. They're not made for metals.
Mind you, if you don't know the difference between a router and a mill, you have a lot of learning to do before you start making anything.
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No offense taken. I've been learning Rhino over the last little while and am certainly aware of what's required to use the machine. Like I said initially, making gunparts isn't what I'm buying this machine for-- but if I can... great.

I know I have a ton to learn about this, that's why I'm asking.
 
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