Need a trigger guard made, can't find a machine shop willing to play along.

Solid, helpful responses, guys. Many thanks. Here's what I've learned: Machining from metal is prohibitively expensive. Like, PAINFULLY so, and well beyond what any rational person would spend on a small part for a Chinese rifle. That's out.

I'd like to come in somewhere under a hundred bucks.

Tried Protolabs, named the part "passthrough", and was refused. No explanation aside from "it's beyond our capabilities".

Tried Shapeways, went with Aluminum, nearly fainted, switched materials to Nylon + carbon, and reckoned I had a winner at $55 USD. Then discovered shipping is another $50, plus setup ($9.50), plus GST, plus whatever else CBSA wants to tack on there, all in USD, and well over a hundred bucks. Ouch.

Found a guy on Facebook who'll crank me out one in ABS for $45. Opinions? Good enough for a Chinese rifle?
 
How big is that part? Can you share the file? I can take a peek (I did have a @autodesk.com email address for a while) and we have many other people knowledgeable about 3d printing and cnc here...

Last I was playing with Shapeways for a part comparable in size to what I imagine a trigger guard would be it was around a 100... Any chance you are having scaling issues? (i.e. You are getting a quote for a part that's a factor larger than you want)

45 for an ABS part seems prohibitive too... You can get an entire el cheapo spool of the stuff for 20... Besides you want PETG for something you'd be usung outdoors... (sorry if this is turning into a rabbit hole)

Try your local library, many have 3d printers (and helpers) for the public
 
Can it be fabricated out of flat stock that is bent and welded instead of machining away so much material? I have no idea what the shape you are after is
 
I'd rather not post it here unless turbo_bird approved. But I can say it's about 5" long, has a mag well built into it, a couple of holes for the receiver to bolt into the stock, etc. Not a simple sheet-metal deal. Had the the money, time, and skill, I think it'd be stylish as hell to cast it out of old range brass.
 
Dark Alley Dan said:
I'd rather not post it here unless turbo_bird approved. But I can say it's about 5" long, has a mag well built into it, a couple of holes for the receiver to bolt into the stock, etc. Not a simple sheet-metal deal. Had the the money, time, and skill, I think it'd be stylish as hell to cast it out of old range brass.
Click to expand...
I was doing a asa print this weekend... And was thinking it would be an even better material... With free shipping October Tuesdays coming up it would cost nothing to send it to you, so if you want, pm me and I'll print the thing for you gratis or whatever donation you want to give to the local animal aid.

Only request is _this week_ before I put the spool away (it absorbs moisture so has to be stored carefully and most likely will need to be dried again when I take it out of storage)

And you will be able to use that to do the sand cast if you want.
 
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